*Baptist; Baptize; Wash; G907 (65x); βαπτίζω baptizo (ɓap-tiy'-zō); 1. to immerse (in), submerge. 2.

to make
whelmed or soaked (fully wet). {Within the New Testament, used of ceremonial cleansing, especially of being
immersed into Jesus' death and resurrection (Christian baptism), also of the Holy Spirit and fire (power from on
high), and of Moses.} --- Matthew 3:6,11-16; 20:22-23; 28:19; Mark 1:4-9; 6:14; 7:4; 10:38-39; 16:16; Luke
3:7,12,16,21; 7:29-30; 11:38; 12:50; John 1:25-33; 3:22-26; 4:1-2; 10:40; Acts 1:5; 2:38-41; 8:12-17; 8:36-38;
9:18; 10:47-48; 11:16; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:3-5; 22:16; Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17; 10:2; 12:13; 15:29;
Galatians 3:27.
*Baptism; G908 (22x); βάπτισμα baptisma (ɓap'-tiyz-ma); immersion. --- Matthew 3:7; 20:22-23; 21:25; Mark
1:4; 10:38-39; 11:30; Luke 3:3; 7:29; 12:50; 20:4; Acts 1:22; 10:37; 13:24; 18:25; 19:3-4; Romans 6:4; Ephesians
4:5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21.

All 3 of the Great Commission References:

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs
shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on
the sick, and they shall recover.

Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto
them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
The Way the Disciples of Jesus Baptized
The prejudice of the Jews was aroused because the disciples of Jesus did not use the exact words of John in
the rite of baptism. John baptized unto repentance, but the disciples of Jesus, on profession of the faith,
baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The teachings of John were in perfect harmony with
those of Jesus, yet his disciples became jealous for fear his influence was diminishing. A dispute arose
between them and the disciples of Jesus in regard to the form of words proper to use at baptism, and finally
as to the right of the latter to baptize at all. {4Red 20.3} {2SP 136.3}
 5 References that Clearly Explain the Baptism in Matthew 28:19 Through the Spirit of Prophecy
1. Before he left them, Christ gave his followers a positive promise that after his ascension he would send them
the Holy Spirit. “Go ye therefore,” he said, “and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father [a
personal God,] and of the Son [a personal Prince and Saviour], and of the Holy Ghost [sent from heaven to
represent Christ]: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world.” {HM July 1, 1897, Art. A, par. 16}
2. Christ gave his followers a positive promise that after his ascension he would send them his Spirit. “Go ye
therefore,” he said, “and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father [a personal God], and of
the Son [a personal Prince and Saviour], and of the Holy Ghost [sent from heaven to represent Christ]:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world.” {RH October 26, 1897, par. 9}

3. Before He left them, Christ gave His followers a positive promise that after His ascension He would send them
the Holy Spirit. “Go, ye therefore,” He said, “and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father (a
personal God) and of the Son (a personal Prince and Saviour), and of the Holy Ghost (sent from heaven to
represent Christ); teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:19, 20.] {Ms41-1897.34}

4. Christ gave His followers a positive promise that after His ascension He would send them His Spirit. “Go ye
therefore,” He said, “and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father (a personal God), and of
the Son (a personal Prince and Saviour), and of the Holy Ghost (sent from heaven to represent Christ); teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end
of the world.” [Matthew 28:19, 20.] {Ms70a-1897.10}
5. Before He left them, Christ gave His followers a positive promise that after His ascension He would send them
the Holy Spirit. “Go ye therefore,” He said, “and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father [a
personal God] and of the Son [a personal Saviour], and of the Holy Ghost [sent from heaven to represent
Christ]: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world” [Matthew 28:19, 20]. {12MR 260.2}
[John 14:26-28 quoted.] This positive assurance was given to the disciples, to be given to all who should
believe on Him to the close of this earth’s history. {12MR 260.3}
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together
in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old
man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over
him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon
ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we are baptized, we are crucified with Christ, resurrected with Christ, and brought by Him, and Him alone
(Acts 4:12), to be adopted into the Family of God the Father, (Ephesians 3:14-15), the “only true God” (John
17:3), of the “only begotten Son” (John 3:16), and the Holy Ghost “the Spirit of His Son”, (Romans 8:9,15; 2
Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 4:6; 1 Peter 1:11).
 “Rebaptism”
When the Former Baptism Does Not Satisfy—There are many at the present day who have unwittingly
violated one of the precepts of God’s law. When the understanding is enlightened, and the claims of the
fourth commandment are urged upon the conscience, they see themselves sinners in the sight of God. “Sin is
the transgression of the law” and “he that shall offend on one point is guilty of all.” {Ev 372.1}
The honest seeker after truth will not plead ignorance of the law as an excuse for transgression. Light was
within his reach. God’s Word is plain, and Christ has bidden him search the Scriptures. He reveres God’s law
as holy, just, and good, and he repents of his transgression. By faith he pleads the atoning blood of Christ, and
grasps the promise of pardon. His former baptism does not satisfy him now. He has seen himself a sinner,
condemned by the law of God. He has experienced anew a death to sin, and he desires again to be buried
with Christ by baptism, that he may rise to walk in newness of life. Such a course is in harmony with the
example of Paul in baptizing the Jewish converts. That incident was recorded by the Holy Spirit as an
instructive lesson for the church.—Sketches from the Life of Paul, 133 (1883). {Ev 372.2} (John 5:39)
Not to Be Made a Testing Question for New Believers—The subject of rebaptism should be handled with the
greatest care. After the truth is presented upon the Sabbath question and other important points of our faith,
and souls manifest the moral courage to take their position upon the truth, they will see this question in the
Bible light if they are fully converted. But by some these questions have been handled unwisely, and God has
sent reproof many times on this point. Those who place the subject of rebaptism in the front, making it of as
much importance as the Sabbath question, are not leaving the right impression upon the minds and correctly
representing the subject. It requires great discrimination to bring in kindred truths with the Sabbath, rightly
dividing the Word, giving to each his portion of meat in due season. {Ev 372.3}
Those who lift the cross of the Sabbath have a tremendous battle to fight with self and with selfish interests
which would interpose between their souls and God. Then when they have taken this great step and their
feet have been planted upon the platform of eternal truth, they must have time to become accustomed to
their new position, and not be hurried on the question of rebaptism. No one should become a conscience for
another or urge and press rebaptism. {Ev 373.1}
This is a subject which each individual must conscientiously take his position upon in the fear of God. This
subject should be carefully presented in the spirit of tenderness and love. Then the duty of urging belongs to
no one but God; give God a chance to work with His Holy Spirit upon the minds, so that the individual will be
perfectly convinced and satisfied in regard to this advanced step. A spirit of controversy and contention
should never be allowed to come in and prevail on this subject. Do not take the Lord’s work out of His hands
into your own hands. Those who have conscientiously taken their position upon the commandments of God,
will, if rightly dealt with, accept all essential truth. But it needs wisdom to deal with human minds. Some will
be longer in seeing and understanding some kindred truths than others, especially will this be the case in
regard to the subject of rebaptism, but there is a divine hand that is leading them—a divine spirit impressing
their hearts, and they will know what they ought to do and do it. {Ev 373.2}
Let none of our zealous brethren overdo this matter. They will be in danger of getting before the Lord and
making tests for others which the Lord has not bidden them to make. It is not the work of any of our teachers
to urge rebaptism upon anyone. It is their business to lay down the great principles of Bible truths, especially
is this the case in regard to rebaptism. Then let God do the work of convicting the mind and heart.... {Ev 374.1}
Every honest soul who accepts the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will see and understand his duty in
time. But it will take time for some. It is not a subject to be driven and forced upon those newly come to the
truth, but this subject will work like leaven; the process will be slow and quiet, but it will do its work, if our
ministering brethren will not be too fast and defeat the purpose of God. {Ev 374.2}
Those who have long looked upon this subject see it quite clearly and think all others should see it just as they
do. They do not consider that with some newly come to the faith this matter looks like denying all their former
religious experience. But in time they will come to regard the matter differently. As the truth is constantly
unfolding to their minds, they will see advanced steps to be taken; new light will flash upon their pathway;
God’s Spirit will work upon their minds, if men will not interfere and seek to drive them to the positions which
they think are truth. {Ev 374.3}
Now let it be distinctly understood, from time to time all through our experience, God has given me
testimonies of caution to our brethren in regard to handling the subject of rebaptism. Our good Brother _____
and several others of our ministers I was shown were making a mistake at some point in their experience in
putting in the front and making a test question of rebaptism. This is not the way that the subject should be
treated. It is a matter to be treated as a great privilege and blessing, and all who are rebaptized, if they have
the right ideas upon this subject, will thus consider it. These good brethren were not bringing those newly
come to the faith along step by step, cautiously and guardedly, and the result was that some were turned
from the truth, when a little time and tender, careful dealing with them would have prevented all such sad
results.—Letter 56, 1886. {Ev 375.1}
Reconversion and Rebaptism of Seventh-day Adventists—The Lord calls for a decided reformation. And when
a soul is truly reconverted, let him be rebaptized. Let him renew his covenant with God, and God will renew
His covenant with him.... Reconversion must take place among the members, that as God’s witnesses they
may testify to the authoritative power of the truth that sanctifies the soul.—Letter 63, 1903. {Ev 375.2}
Baptism is a Most Solemn Renunciation of the World
The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two monumental pillars, one without and one within
the church. Upon these ordinances Christ has inscribed the name of the true God. {6T 91.1}

Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition
with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual
kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, “The Lord our Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:6. {6T
91.2}
Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have
forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.
They have obeyed the command: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, ... and touch not the
unclean thing.” And to them is fulfilled the promise: “I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye
shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18. {6T 91.3}
Rebaptism of Ellen White
Soon after accepting the Sabbath truth, Ellen White requested rebaptism—undoubtedly into the third angel’s message.
James White writes of this in Life Incidents, page 273, in connection with his presentation of Ellen White’s visions: {1BIO
121.4} On receiving baptism at my hands, at an early period of her experience, as I raised her up out of the water,
immediately she was in vision. {1BIO 121.5} This is the only reference to this step in her experience; the date of the
rebaptism is not known. {1BIO 122.1}