The Biblical Assessment of the Practice of Baptism Amongst Churches.
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out the practice of baptism among selected churches in kagara, Rafi local government area of Niger state churches
- To find out whether all churches are practicing biblical approval of baptism in selected churches in kagara, Rafi local government area of Niger state
- To find out why some churches practice baptism out of biblical concept
- To find out the impact of biblical practice of baptism among Christian
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM
Christian baptism is rooted in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, in his death and in his resurrection. It is in corporation into Christ, who is the crucified and risen Lord; it is entry into the New Covenant between God and God’s people. Baptism is a gift of God, and is administered in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. St Matthew records that the risen Lord, when sending his disciples into the world, commanded them to baptize (Matt. 28:18–20). The universal practice of baptism by the apostolic Church from its earliest days is attested in letters of the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles, and the writings of the Fathers. The churches today continue this practice as a rite of commitment to the Lord who bestows his grace upon his people.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine the biblical assessment of the practice of baptism amongst churches.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA
One hundred and sixty (160) questionnaires were distributed and one hundred and forty (133) were returned. This figure was the sample size. Out of the one hundred and thirty-three, only one hundred and twenty (120) were properly responded to. As a result, the researcher used one hundred and twenty for this study when more than 50% of the respondents agree to the questions, the answer is taken as valid for the purpose of this study. In analyzing the data, the approach that will be adopted is to find out the percentage and positive and negative answers to the question posed.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the biblical assessment of the practice of baptism amongst churches. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenge of the biblical assessment of the practice of baptism amongst churches
Summary
This study was on the biblical assessment of the practice of baptism amongst churches. Four objectives were raised which included: To find out the practice of baptism among selected churches in kagara, Rafi local government area of Niger state churches, to find out whether all churches are practicing biblical approval of baptism in selected churches in kagara, Rafi local government area of Niger state, to find out why some churches practice baptism out of biblical concept and to find out the impact of biblical practice of baptism among Christian. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of national human right commission, Abuja. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made pastors, elders, deacons and members were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The Reformed view of baptism is extremely sacramental. That is, Reformed theology sees baptism as a strange encounter with God that takes place in the course of a rite involving physical elements and exceptional ceremony. Furthermore in the course of this sudden meeting, God genially give blessing to individuals who partake by faith and as well judgement to persons who take part with no faith. Whereas Pentecostal churches understand water baptism to be ordinance. That is they see water baptism at the same time as an outer sign of a change that has by now occurred. In the view of the Pentecostals, it is the transformation that is essential; the water baptism is an extra. They agree that not everyone who is baptized is certainly regenerate. One of the points of their departure is that Pentecostal churches do not baptize infants. Rather, little children in Pentecostal churches are dedicated to God and blessed and their mode of baptism is by immersion whereas Reformed Church baptize little children to admit them into covenant with God as well as to integrate them into the physical church and their mode of baptism is by pouring or sprinkling
Recommendation
The study instructed Christians to abide to the teaching of Jesus Christ on baptism, to practice what he teaches on baptism
References
- Price, Charles P. “Baptism”. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Collins Discovery Encyclopaedia, “BAPTISM” 1st edition, HarperCollins 2005.
- Erickson, Millard J. INTRODUCINH CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 2ND Edition, Grand Rapids: Baker House, 2001. Highlands Reformed Church “The Reformed Doctrine of Baptism” 2010.
- Website: http://highlands-reformed.com/the-reformed-doctrine-of- Baptism/ of 20/06/2012. “The Reformed Doctrine of Baptism & New Testament Practice”.
- Website: http://www.fpcjackson.org/resources/apologetics/covenant %20 theology%20justification/ligons_covtheology/07.htm of 21/06/2012
- Pieper, Franz. Christian Dogmatics. St. Louis: Concordia, 1953. Clark, Scott. “A Contemporary Reformed Defense of Infant Baptism” 2005.
- Website: http://www.clarkWscal.edu/baptismphp of 20/04/2012. Hanko, Herman. Protestant Reformed Faith-Infant Baptism.
- Website: http://www.rfpa.org/pages/protestant-reformed-faith-infantbaptism of 15/4/2012.
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia. Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Infant _baptism. “Mode of Baptism-Western Reformed Seminary”.
- Website: http://www.wrs. Edu/../chapter_8-Mode_Baptism.pdf “The Reformed Doctrine Of Baptism & New Testament Practice”.
- Website: http://www.fpcjackson.org/../o7.htm. Access on 20/05/2012. Battle, John A. “The Significance of the Mode of Baptism” In WRS Journal 14: 1. February 2007, 9-20. Smalling, Roger. “Baptism: Meaning and Mode”.
- Website: http://www. Smallings.com/../Baptism.html. Glossary of Pentecostal History.
- Website: oldlandmark.wordpress.com/ Glossary-of-pentecostal-history/- access on 24/06/2012. “Pentecostal”
