Dr. L. Keith Harper was Professor of Baptist Studies. Dr. Harper thanks the musicians and explains that he will be focusing on the doctrine of baptism presented in Matthew 3:13-17 (0:00-1:48). He then reads the verses in Matthew (1:49-2:35). He speaks about how the definition of baptism has greatly shaped the identity of Baptists, but it has also led to many controversies (2:36-3:34). Dr. Harper reveals that there are three elements of Scriptural baptism: Jesus as a consecrated candidate, the Jordan River as a perfect picture, and John the Baptist as an authorized administrator of baptism (3:35-5:16). Since Jesus was sinless, only the saved can experience baptism; baptism does not wash away sins (5:17-13:28; the audio here skips a little). The Jordan River provides a perfect picture for total immersion, which serves as a symbol for what Christ has done for us internally (13:29-20:32). Dr. Harper discusses how you can be a believer and not have scriptural baptism, and he conveys that baptism is a church ordinance not a Christian ordinance (20:33-26:40). He concludes with saying that it matters who is baptized and how they are baptized (26:41-30:20). No audio (30:21-30:25). Dr. Harper is thanked for his sermon (30:26-31:05). A word of prayer ends the service (31:06-32:36).
