Mt 28:18-20: God's Means of Grace

The Means of Grace
Question 1
God gave grace to the church through two means. The two ways that the disciples and the church received the grace were the Gospel of Jesus Christs and baptism. Jesus came to the disciple and told them that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to them through God, the son who is Jesus Christ. Besides, disciples would receive the grace by receiving the baptism in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
Question 2
The sacrament is a sign of the inward grace, especially given to the Christians as one of the solemn rites of the Christians. The sacrament was instituted by Jesus Christ through his grace to humans. On the other hand, sacrifice means to make an offering or to consecrate to the divinity through propitiation. Sacrifice also refers to Thanksgiving in the altar of the lord to atone sin.
Question 3
a) Baptism is a sacrament because it is given to the Christians so that they can receive grace from God. Through baptism, Christians receive the Holy Spirit which is their helper, which further confirms that it is a sacrament.
b) Baptism is different from an ordinary bath because it is associated with receiving grace through the Holy Spirit. The Christians believe that they have received Christ in their lives through baptism.
c) The blessings of baptism are access to the power of the lord, anointing of the believer and acknowledgment from God the father.
d) The blessing of the Holy Spirit is received through baptism as the Holy Spirit descends to the believer.
Question 4
a) The infants are also included in the great commission since the bible says that the promise is for the believers and their children.
b) Everyone, including children, is a sinner, and they need God’s grace to be sanctified.
c) The bible says that no one is righteous in the eyes of the Lord, not even one. This means that we all need the grace of God since we are all sinners.
Question 5
(Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-4) the bible is very clear about what baptism is supposed to be, who are supposed to be baptized and what baptism accomplishes. From the scriptures, only those believers who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are supposed to be baptized. Baptism should be a public testimony of their faith and obedience to the Christ Jesus. Infants are included when Jesus instructs his disciples to go preach and baptize all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). However, while those who will be baptized will receive the holy spirit, infants are incapable of repenting their sins. As shown in Luke 3:3, baptism is a sign of repenting to be forgiven one’s sins.
Question 6
The bible says that the kingdom of God is for those who humble themselves like small children. Jesus said that until Christian become like little children they can never inherit the kingdom of God. Besides the scriptures categorically states that whoever makes the little children who believe in God to sin will have a large millstone hung around his neck. That shows that children can have believed and had faith in God.
Question 7
There are many areas where the bible insinuates that infant baptism is allowable. For instance, in Matt. 28:19, Jesus instructs his disciples to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them” meaning that, infants too, are to be baptized. There is, however, no direct indication of infant baptism. In Acts 2:38-39, apostle Paul says “repent your sins and let each one of you is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you shall receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children.” This an indication that when baptism occurred, it occurred for the entire children, including the children.
Question 8
Concerning the question of infant’s baptism, Paul says that the baptism is like circumcision but not by the human hands. Baptism is like circumcision through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit through which the Christians receives the forgiveness of sins. By Paul mentioning that he baptized the house of Stephanas, it indicates that the whole family was baptized, including children (1 Corinthians 1:13-16). Jesus is also seen as very welcoming to children (Lk 18:15-17), and therefore, pointing that infant baptism is indicated or insinuated in the bible.
Question 9
a) Baptism is made effective through undergoing the right emotions such as crying or grieving when one receives the baptism.
b) Another false doctrine concerning baptism is that it can be made effective by saying specific words to confirm that one has undergone through baptism.
c) Another false belief about baptism is the forgiveness of sins. Some people believe that baptism only forgives the sins committed before baptism and not after baptism.
Question 10
Confession means owning up the sins that one has committed and accepted that their actions were wrong. Confession also means that the Christian feels convicted of the sins and they are remorseful about it which leads them to pray for forgiveness from God. On the other hand...