Water Baptism

And everything that we do must be based upon the Scripture, [Blank spot on tape.] “...Catholic church,” he said that, “with your sincerity?”

“Well,” I said, “I am a catholic.”

Said, “Yes?”

“Well,” I said, “Now, according to the teaching of the Catholic church, that Jesus Christ established the Catholic church, and the apostles were His first priests, and Peter was the first pope. That's according to the teaching of the Catholic church, and that this Bible was written of the early Catholic church. Well, and then the Catholic church has power to change anything they wish to, because they are the church.”

I said, “Since the early days” said, “you all have changed it. You have substituted sprinkling or pouring for immersing. You substituted holy communion instead of the Holy Ghost.” And I said, “I'm just one of the old-fashion catholic that stay with the original belief, that stand.” I said, “The strange thing is, that Peter, being the first pope, said, 'There is no other mediator between God and man, but that man, Jesus Christ.' And today you all have Mary and Saint Cecilia, and hundreds of women that's died, and so forth, to be intercessors. There is something happened between the first pope and this pope, see, if it doesn't change or alter.”

I said, “Then again, what do you do with Saint Paul, which was the great saint of the early catholic church, that said, 'If an angel from heaven preaches any other gospel than this has already been preached, let him be accursed'?” And I said, “What about Jesus Christ who established the catholic church, said, 'If any man shall take any word out of this Bible, or add anything to it, the same will be taken out (his part) of the book of life'?”

Therefore all things that we do, to my opinion, as a Bible believer, must be based upon the Scriptures. All revelations, all visions, everything, must be solemnly based upon the Scripture, for that's the foundation that we rest on as “thus saith the Lord.”

In the Scriptures, we do not find where they ever sprinkled or poured, or consecrated little children in that manner. But in the Scripture, we find that they brought infants unto Jesus, that He might bless them. And He took them up in His arms and said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He blessed the little children. And that's all the Scripture that's written concerning it. That's the way we try to continue. Now if the....

Like in the Methodist church, and the Nazarene church, and many other churches who has the in.... I don't think the Nazarene church does. The Methodist church does, and many of the others or the Evangelical thinkers, that does christen little children by sprinkling them.

Now, that's all right, any form that you want to dedicate them to, but just so that you see that we don't put water on them. We just lay hands on them, trying to follow the example of our Lord. And that's the way we want the mothers to understand that why we don't sprinkle water on them, because we don't have any Scripture for that. We don't have Scripture for sprinkling water on adults or children.

So, the child is too young to be baptized. And baptism is the outward expression that an inward work of grace has been done. And the child cannot express it, because there hasn't been any inward work of grace, you see, because it's just a baby.

It's the parents bringing the baby to God who gave them the child, giving it back to Him in dedication. So, that's how we use that here.

Now they're going to bring some little fellows for dedication. I'm going to ask the sister if she will give us just a little chord on the piano, of “Bring Them In,” I believe, Sister Gertie, or ever who the young lady is here.

And so, while.... Just before we do that, let's have a word of prayer for the mothers and the people that's bringing their loved ones.

O Lord, we are indeed a privileged people to live in a country where we still have a freedom of worship, that where we have the government that protects us and gives us this God-given heritage; that we do not have to go according to a state church or some dictator type, but we can come to Thee in the way that we are convinced in our heart. We pray that this will last long, until Jesus comes, if it so be in Thy provided way.

And now many of the people are bringing their little children, day after day, and week after week, as You give them into the arms and care of their father and mother. They bring them, Lord, to us, as elders here at the church. And we, by prayer, offer them to Thee. I pray, God, that You will take each of these little darlings this morning, and will consecrate their lives to Thee. Bless the homes that they come from. May their father and mother be so dedicated to You, that the children will be raised up in Christian homes to serve You all the days of their life. Cleanse us this morning, Lord, as they bring these little innocent lambs, the very blossom of their heart. But they are wanting them to have eternal life, and they're asking You, O God, to protect them and to keep them, and guide them until they're old enough that we can talk to them and persuade them to accept the Lord Jesus and receive eternal life. We do this for God's glory, according to His Word, in the name of His Son, the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Now while the mothers bring—and fathers bring—their little ones up here for dedication, the sister will play. Just bring the little fellows and stand right along the altar here, by these little ones that's already been dedicated. All right.

Immediately following this service will be the baptismal service. And while they are bringing them, I might announce: be sure to get your loved ones here now, this afternoon by six ... between six and six-thirty; they'll be giving out the prayer cards. And the services will be starting, I guess, at seven ... at seven-thirty.

All right, sir. Just come right up close with the little ones, if you will. I see mothers getting their camera out here. You know how mothers think about little ones.

How many loves little children? Oh, my! I used to hear these little ones sing, “Jesus Loves The Little Children Of The World.”

Are you Sister Grimsley? [Sister Grimsley says, “Yes. Yes, this is my little grand-baby.”] Your grand-baby. I don't know whether Meda has entered the church yet or not. We read in a paper sometime ago, and she called me and told me that a Sister Grimsley had died here in the city. And we were surprised. And then when I come home and went to church that Sunday, here you were sitting at the church. And I said, “Well, she is the most lively dead woman I have ever seen.” So it must have been another sister Mrs. Grimsley. [“That's right.”] Yes, ma'am.

Now I want to ask Brother Neville and some of the elders if they'll come forward at this time, and stand here in dedication. Some of you minister brothers there, and elders, come right ahead, brethren, and brother.

Now, each of you mothers and fathers, and grandparents, are offering to God these little precious jewels that God has given to you, for dedication, dedicating them to the God that gave them to you. May His grace and mercy ever be with you, is my prayer.

Is Brother Collins near? Or Brother ... or.... Let him come forward if he will, here for this service. He is one of our associate pastors here, of the church, and we would like to have him here with prayer with us, if possible.

Now, you know, sometimes.... These little fellows, they never practiced this, so they're just original. And sometimes they squeal and cry, but that just makes them good babies, doesn't it? So, we don't notice that. So, if they're crying or anything, remember, that doesn't bother at all. I'd imagine some of the little ones that was brought up to the Lord Jesus, kind of cried a little bit, too, you know, because it's always that way. The little fellows, they're disturbed when they're moved around, and some has been sitting here in the hot room. So, we don't notice that. All right. We will come forward.

And what's its name now? [Sister Grimsley says, “Tina Renee Bennett.”] Tina Renee Bennett. Little Tina Renee Bennett, the grandmother brings her for dedication. It's certainly a darling little baby. Let us pray.

Lord, they bring to Your servant's hand this little darling baby who we pray over, dedicating to You. God, bless this little child, and may it live and worship You. Bless its parents and its grandparents. And, Lord, if there is a tomorrow, may it be a great servant of Yours. Grant it, Lord, as we present it to You. In Jesus' name, receive it. Amen. The Lord bless you, sister.

Little Cynthia Lee Cannard, another darling little chunk... My, she's quite a little figure. Isn't she a darling? Let us pray.

Lord, we bring to You this little infant, and as it's been placed from the loved ones arms to mine in the holy dedication, and consecration to God... The little one is too young to know, but the loved ones that's brought it... Let it live, Lord, and be strong and healthy all its life. Bless its parents, its grandparents, and all of its loved ones. May in glory they all be assembled together at that day when we meet You. Keep it healthy and happy. We give it to You in dedication with prayer, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. The Lord bless you.

Is this yours? Well, that's fine...?... What's this big fellow? Carl Christian Stalls, little Carl Christian Stalls. It's the grandson of our Brother McDowell. So he's a fine looking boy. I pray that if there is a tomorrow, he will be a preacher of the Gospel. Let us bow our heads.

Lord, as this grandfather has put into my arms this little lump of love, I pray Thee, Lord God, that You'll take this little infant into Your care, and let it live, and grow, and be strong, and healthy. May, if there comes a tomorrow, may it preach the Gospel, that we who are dedicating him this morning believe in. May its little life be richly blessed. Bless its parents, its grandparents, and its great-grandparents. We pray that You're blessings rest upon it. For we now by prayer of consecration, dedicate this baby to You, O Lord, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

A mighty sweet little... Are you the mother? Congratulations to you...?... What's its little name? Sheryl Ann Baldwin. You the mother? Well, that's fine. Shirley, you're a fine little girl. Little Shirley Ann Baldwin. Now, she's just a little shy; you can tell that. I suppose her mother was too...?... I just met them I—I know them... We're going to get along like this... Oh, she's a little, fine little girl, I believe. She's a darling. Let us pray.

Lord, we bring to You this little child. Its little finger in its mouth, O God, it doesn't even know what the thought of sin is. And I pray, God, that You'll bless her little life and make it rich and royal. Bless its young mother here, its father, its grandparents, and all of its loved ones. And as we give it to You in solemn dedication of prayer, may You let her live, and grow, and be strong, and healthy, and be an example in her days of young womanhood to serve the Lord Jesus. Grant it, Lord. I believe it's such little ones as You laid Your hands on and blessed. We ask this for the glory of God, as we dedicate her, and consecrate her in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now, I think you're a sweet little girl, bashful, but sweet. God bless you. Congratulations for a fine baby.

Now, maybe a long time ago, I could've picked up a little girl like this...?... What's your name. [Sister says, “Sharon Diane Bayle”] I—Relation to the other...?... Bayle, yes, yes. I want you all to see this little girl, 'cause she's a very sweet little thing. I'm going to have to lift her up just a little bit. Very pretty little girl... I'm thinking it was little things like this that Jesus laid His hands on. How unworthy our hands are. But if you look for worthy hands, you wouldn't find it. We're unworthy, but we claim His promise through grace. Its name again? Sherry Diane Bayle. Let us pray.

Lord, we bring this little child to You, sweet, pretty. I pray, God, that You'll bless her little life. May she live to be a strong woman full of grace and power. And may she have a place in the great redemption story to do something for the Kingdom of God. Bless her young mother, the father, the grandparents, and all of her loved ones. And if you live for her...?... her day is, may she be a worker for You. Now, we give her to You in the way of dedication for consecration, by the way of prayer, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Bless you, sweetheart, a pretty little girl, a fine one.

He going to be a minister too? All right. And what's his name? John Michael Dalton. Now, you know I've got a little cowboy back there just about your size, little John Michael. Well, that's fine. His father here is a minister, I believe that's right. Are you a Baptist minister? Lay member of the Baptist church. I see. Let us pray.

Lord, we bring to You this little lad. I don't know what I'm holding in my arms. Neither did the mother know when it was born, and his little hands stroked her face, or of the dad who swelled his chest to know he had a son. God, I pray that this child will be to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. We bring him to You now in dedication by prayer for consecration, that You'll use his little life for Your glory. For we dedicate him to You in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Bless you. A fine boy...

This little fellow? Was this sister Dalton? Robert Anthony. Sister Dalton. Well, I'm a glad to meet you, Sister Dalton. I knowed your husband real well; I guess I've seen you. This is Robert Lee? What? Robert Anthony. All right. Oh, hey, My. Southern grits didn't do that to him. He's a fine boy, nice looking little fellow. Let us pray.

Lord, we bring to You this little boy for dedication, that the mother has brought him and the father. And we pray that You'll consecrate his little life, Lord, to Your service. May he live and be a great man, strong, physically, spiritually. Grant it, Lord. And now, we dedicate him to You in the Name of Jesus Christ God's Son. Amen.

Congratulations to you for two fine boys. I hope they're both are preachers, if the Lord tarries.

Here's another boy. You can tell he's a good boy, way he parts his hair. What's his name? Robert Samuel Bates. Now, I don't know. He's quite a load. Mm, my, Robert Samuel Bates, fine boy. Let us pray.

Dear God, we bring to You this little boy, and seeing he's nearing teenage. Oh, the snares the devil has set for the little fellow. Bypass them, Lord. May the little lad never walk in the way of unrighteousness, but may the prayer of dedication this morning, and the faith of the parents with us, cause his little life to be stirred towards Calvary. Grant, O Lord, that he'll live and grow, and be a strong fine man. If it be Your will, let him preach the Gospel tomorrow, if there be a tomorrow. We now dedicate him to You, in the Name of Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen. God bless you.

That's brother and sister? Well, that's mighty fine. How do you do? Now, here's a fine boy too. What's his name? Sidney, Simminer, Summner. Dwight Simmner. There was a great preacher one time named Dwight. Huh? A great preacher. Who knows what his name was? Dwight Moody. That's right. Not educated, a little shoe cobbler, but he sent a million souls to Jesus. May little Dwight do the same...?... Oh, he's a fine boy, fine looking little fellow, looks like a preacher. Let us bow our heads.

Lord, we bring to You, this little boy, placed from the loved ones arms to ours. And in belief and faith in the Bible, and in the Christ of the Bible we dedicate this little boy to You, that his life will be used to the glory of God. Bless his home, his parents, his loved ones, and may he live and be strong. And if it be Your will make a minister out of him for tomorrow, if that tomorrow is to be. Putting our prayers in sincerity with consecrated prayers for him, we offer him to You, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. God bless you. You're a fine boy.

Oh, I don't know; there is something about those little guys that just makes you feel real good. You know, we've....

I've got a little girl friend here. She's bashful, she sunk right down then. I call her “Cookie.” She is from down in Georgia, where I go down to have a vacation with her daddy recently, to go fishing. And the reason I called her “Cookie”; after her mother having about two or three full T-bone steaks fried for me when I come home, and I had eaten till I just couldn't eat no more—that fine Southern cooking—she come with a handful of cookies; I had to eat them, too. So, I called her “Cookie.” She is a fine girl.

All these little ones, you all love the Lord? My, that's fine! Once in a while, I preach just to little children, you know. How many was here when I told the story about little Moses? You know, that little ship, you know, that this little baby was hid in here. Remember that? And all of you come up around the altar and dedicated your life to the Lord Jesus. Now, today we are celebrating His resurrection. You still love Him? All of you that love Him, raise up your hands, you little boys and girls here. Oh, how nice! That's fine, a hundred percent! And I believe that, too, with all my heart, that they love Him.

Now we are coming just now for the baptismal service; we never know just how many is to be baptized. It's part of the gospel. The resurrection message was, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe,” as it was read this morning to us, out of Mark 16. Now we are going to read some Scriptures for the water baptism.

Now, there is many people and churches who sprinkle water on the people. Many of the churches believe in that. And that's their way, why, that's all right. Many pour water on the people, just pour it, get the water up and pour it on their head. Well, that's all right, see. It's a dedication. It's an expression of ... an outward expression that an inward work of grace has been done. So, I have nothing to say against that.

But, in the Scriptures, they were baptized by immersing, down under the water. So, therefore, being that I am an old-fashion catholic, I had better go just the way the old-fashioned church did it, you know, by being immersed, covered over.

Jesus was completely sealed away. He was put down into the ground, and a big stone was rolled over the grave. Buried, He carried our sins far away. Therefore, we believing that.... What others do, that's all right; we do not have no controversies with them. But, for ourselves, we believe in being immersed.

And now we do this immersing according to the early apostolic teachings of the church. Some of those who immerse yet today got away from the beginning ritual of the apostolic belief. In the beginning, the first baptism that was ever baptized after Pentecost, was to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And every baptism afterwards was—every one—baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And some of the people—We will read in a moment—that were baptized by immersing, by John the Baptist, just unto repentance, not for remission of sins. And they had to come and be rebaptized over again in the name of Jesus Christ, in order to receive the Holy Ghost.

Now, today, we have substituted. Acts ... or, Matthew 28:19, where Jesus Christ commanded His church, “Go ye therefore into all nations, teaching them to observe whatever things I have taught you; baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Peter, ten days later, commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. And, nobody, nobody in the Bible was ever baptized in the name of the “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” It's not in the Scriptures, no one was ever baptized.

And then someone would say.... Now, see, it was ordained as the Catholic church, The Faith Of Our ... Facts Of Our Faith—in the Catholic book, The Facts Of Catholic Faith—says that “The Protestants do recognize our baptism.” The Catholic diocese, in about the six ... about the fourteenth century, baptized a man by sprinkling him, in the name of Father, Son, Holy Ghost, but there's not a Scripture for it. The church.... Wesley come out, and Luther, with the same thing, from the Catholic church. Some of them still carry the Catholic catechism; some still carry the Apostles' Creed, and so forth, which come out of the Catholic church—which, if God makes a Christian out of a man like that, I have nothing to say against it. You understand, see.

But, to me, I must be an old-fashion catholic; I must stay with what the early church did. And I must baptize according to the way the early church baptized: in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And now we try to keep that.

Now, that I might say this: in Matthew 28:19, Jesus said,

Go ye therefore, teach all nations, baptize them in to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Well, now, one of them.... He never said, “in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, in the name of the Holy Ghost.” He said, “in the name”—singular. Great scholars like Scofield and those, and the original Greek, all, and in all translations, it's “in the name”; not “names” or “in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son.” It's “in the name” of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Well, Father is not a name, neither is Son a name, and neither is Holy Ghost a name. It's titles that goes to one name. See, there is one name. Then if.... The revelation that we are trying to bring to you surely must have been the same revelation that the apostles had when they stood by Him, listening at Him give that commission.

Someone said, “Well, I don't care what the apostles done; Jesus said this.”

If the apostles disobeyed Him, then the Scriptures are wrong. You have to make the Scriptures perfect, or they're not nothing. It's every word right or it's none of it right. I don't know which would be right if it all isn't right. If part of it isn't inspired, then the rest of it might not be. But there is not a contradiction in the Scriptures.

So if Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ,” and all after that was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; and Jesus said, “Go, baptize in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” that's a blank contradiction, looks like; but it isn't, if you'll just know.

Remember, “The Scriptures are hid from the eyes of the wise and students.” Did you know that? “And to be revealed....” The Scriptures doesn't contradict itself; it only declares itself.

Now, if you'll turn back.... If you was reading a story, like you said, “John and Mary lived happy ever after”—As some of you, we're all guilty of reading stories—and if you didn't know who John and Mary was, the only thing you could do is turn back to the first of the book and read through and find out who John and Mary was.

If Jesus commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost—and Father is not a name, and Son is not a name, and Holy Ghost is not a name—we'd better go back and find out who Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is, and what its name is.

So if you will turn with me to the first chapter of Matthew, like you would of any book, it said now—begin with the genealogy—it said:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When ... his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, [engaged, otherwise]....

Now I want to show you how.... Look, we're going to say this is the Son Jesus, this is the Father, this is the Holy Ghost. Now, anybody knows, and Jesus said that God was His Father. Do you believe that? We have to. The Father of Jesus Christ was God. Now I'm quoting Scripture, Matthew 1:18

... the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When... his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with a child of the Holy Ghost.

Then which one of these is His Father?

And she shall bring forth a child, and they shall call His name JESUS: [Notice, she was....]

And when Joseph her husband, being a just man ... not willingly to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately on this wise.

But when he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee thy wife ... Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Well, how could God be His Father, if the Holy Ghost is His Father? He would have two fathers, and what kind of a child would He be? There is no two. The Holy Ghost and God is the same thing, see.

And she shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name JESUS:

... all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

... a virgin shall conceive and bear a child, ... and he shall be called Emmanuel, which ... is [what?] God with us.

Now, here is the Son. On the day of His baptizing in Jordan, John bear record seeing the Spirit of God, like a dove, coming and dwelling on Him. Jesus said, “It's not me that doeth the works; it's my Father that dwelleth in me.”

Now, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost has one name—them three titles—and what did the Bible say that name was? Jesus. So that must have been the revelation that the apostles had, for that's the way they baptized. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is not a name—none of them are names. The name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost is “the Lord Jesus Christ.” That's the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Now I shall read some Scriptures just before we baptize. I want to read first on the first occasion for the water baptism, and that's found in Acts the second chapter—Peter at the day of Pentecost. He had been preaching.

And when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and ... the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of You in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, ... to them that's far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Then the next time we have baptism recorded is when Philip, two days afterwards, went down to Samaria. Them was Jews, and then when.... There is only three tribes of people in the earth, that's Ham, Shem, and Japheth's people; Jews, Gentiles, and (half Jew and Gentile) Samaritans. When Philip went down and preached to the Samaritans, here is what taken place. There's one Simon, the sorcerer, was bewitching people by sorcery.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

The next time baptism is spoke of, is found in Acts 10:44 to 48, at the house of Cornelius, the Gentile. There is the Jews at Jerusalem, Philip at Samaria, and here is Peter with the Gentiles.

And while Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on ... them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision [Jew] which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because ... on the Gentiles was also poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Can a man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, and he commanded them which has received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord....

See, prayed for them....

The next time baptism is spoke of, is in Acts 19, where they come up on the disciples of John. This is Paul; now listen close, Acts 19.

And it came to pass, ... while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts of Ephesus: he finds certain disciples.

And he said unto them, ...

Now watch. They were disciples. They were believers, Christians.

He said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Listen what he asked. Listen to this essential question that this apostle asked, see.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said unto him, Unto John's baptism.

Now I would imagine this morning, if either ... any of us had been baptized by the same man that baptized Jesus Christ, we would think our baptism was pretty well secured. Wouldn't you think so? But here is Paul, says it isn't. In the same hole of water, by the same man that baptized our Lord, Paul condemns that baptism now, because it wasn't in the name of Jesus Christ. Now listen. And he said, “Unto what then were you baptized?”

Now if you wanted to look that up in the Greek, it said, “How was you baptized?” See?

... And they said unto him, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized ... the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him that has come, that is, on Jesus Christ.

You notice, this same group had been baptized in the Jordan, with Jesus Christ.

When they heard this, they were rebaptized ... they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

... Paul ... laying his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Now, this same Paul says here, in the book of Galatians—this is why I hang to it—Galatians, the first chapter and the eighth verse. Listen. I'm going to begin at the sixth verse. Speaking to the Galatians.

I marvel that you'd be so soon removed from him that called you unto ... grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and ... prevent the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, [that would be priest, pope, preacher, whatever it might be] ... though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so now I say again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that which you have received, let him be accursed.

“If we shall take one word away from the Bible,”—Revelation 21 ... or 22—“or add one thing to it, knowingly, the same will be taken out of the book of life, for us.”

Therefore, it is my convictions....

No disregarding to people that wants to be sprinkled, poured or immersed, in Father, Son, Holy Ghost; that's deliberately up to you, my dear brother, sister. I would not disagree with you; I just.... You are God's servant.

But, to me, I must be faithful and true to the Bible. Therefore, Paul commanded people that had been baptized some other way besides the name of Jesus Christ, and constrained them to come and be rebaptized again in the name of Jesus Christ. To preach that same gospel, I've got to do the same thing, to restrain and to persuade people. Don't never leave your church; stay with your pastor; do everything you can in your own local church, but follow the Bible instructions. Therefore we believe, this morning, that Jesus is coming. And when I stand that day....

Now, maybe the creed book might be alright. I can't disregard it. It might be alright. And maybe the Catholic church does have that authority. I don't know. And if you Catholics here, and you think your church has that authority.... This they say is their original book. So why take what some modern man said, when Christ, the founder of your church, commissioned this, when your first pope commissioned this? Let's follow the Bible, for I believe that is the truth.

Now while we are preparing, I want those who are to be baptized to come forward and stand up here, so we can show to the world that we believe that:

Jesus living, He loved us. Dying, He saved us.

Buried, He carried our sins far away.

Rising, He justified freely forever,

Believe someday He's coming, waiting for that

glorious day!

And you are coming this morning to confess that that sin that I preached about this morning—the sins of the world—has been condemned and killed, and you no more are a servant to that thing, but it's dead. And you are coming to be buried in the name of Him Who died for you, and killed sin for you, and rose for your justification. And you are complete in Him; not in no church, not in the Branham Tabernacle, not in the association. But you are complete and safe in Jesus Christ.

Let us pray. Lord, this sometimes seems to be hard, for I know that I have precious friends here of the Catholic faith, and some of the Wesleyan Methodist, and, no doubt, many of the trinitarian extreme.

We believe, Lord, that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is the same God, but three offices that the God of heaven served in: one time for the Jews, in the Fatherhood; once in flesh, as the Sonship; and now in the Holy Ghost, in the church. Not three gods, we do not believe, Father; for You cannot deny Your own Word, when there is no other God except You. You said, “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods.” And we believe, Lord, that this one true God lived in three different dispensations: under the law; under the Christian dispensation when Christ was on earth in a body of flesh that was born of the virgin Mary, died, rose again, and has redeemed us, the church; and now, in the form of the Holy Ghost, the Witness of the resurrection lives in our lives. Forgive us of our sins.

And I pray that You will bless every person here, regardless of church affiliations or denomination. They are human beings that live and eat and love, and want to go to heaven. They are like us all. And we are not trying to dishonor anything or any work that anybody has done in Your name, but we're only trying to give a statement of the hope that lies within us, based upon Thy Word. Thy Word is truth.

So we pray, Father, that if there be some here that You would desire to have them rebaptized, let them come forward. And those who have never made a Christian confession, that's coming now to be baptized in the name of their risen Lord, what a beautiful time to do it, on the Easter morning. What makes baptism? Because there was an Easter. Grant, Lord, that whosoever shall come, may be blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit, as they are desiring so. For we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.

Now, those that have come for baptism, would you just stand to your feet, so we can get a general conception of who is to be baptized. There will be one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen. Eighteen of them. All right. I got yours back there, sister in the back.

Now, I wish you all would, if you would walk right forward here just a moment. Would you?

Would you play for us, sister, “I can hear my Saviour calling,” quietly as you can, slowly?

And as I see, coming down the line, knowing the peoples, I see people from out of town, from churches that would really think that I was just a little bit off of line by baptizing the people ... (Would you move right out this way a little bit, brethren, so these back here....) by baptizing them in the name of the Lord Jesus. But I have truly tried to make it as clear as I know how to make it, see.

Now, this is a nice group of people. I want you all to turn right around to the audience, like this. All right.

These people standing here are coming upon the basis that they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was crucified on Calvary, died, buried; rose the third day, triumph over death, hell, and the grave, and ascended up on High, sitting at the right hand of the Majesty, to make intercessions upon their confession. They have now showed to you that they believe this solemnly with all their heart, and have confessed their sins before God, and are convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, and has accepted Him as personal Saviour.

If that be so, raise your hands, all of you standing around like that. Just raise it.Uh-huh

Therefore, some of them has been Christians for a long time. Some of those have been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And they are convinced today that the Scripture and apostolic way of baptism is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And they have come, believing this, and have accepted it, and embracing this, and will think that that's the truth because the Scripture teaches it.

If such is standing in the line, would you raise your hands, you who have been baptized before in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost, and now believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you.

O Lord, Creator of heavens and earth, Author of everlasting life, here stands men, women, boys and girls, that I'm to lead here to this Easter tomb. O God, someday, maybe this day yet, I've got to stand with them at the judgment bar. And when the great Boss comes forward in His great kingly garments, as a minister of the gospel, I've got to stand before this open Bible and give an account for what I have taught the people. I dread, Lord, in fear—godly fear—lest I should teach something that was wrong, and then all that I have done would be throwed away. For You said, “Till heavens and earth pass away, not one word of mine shall pass away.” And You have said let all men's word be wrong and Yours be right.

Therefore, Lord, I am as the servant of Yours in days gone by, constraining them to come and be rebaptized again, that I might say that at that day that “I have done all that I know how to do—in the face of criticisms, and what more, but tried to live true to this Bible.”

Grant, Lord, that their life will be enriched and blessed, and may they want for nothing. May the Holy Ghost come upon each of them that has not received Him as yet. May this be a resurrecting time, that this group of people will be resurrected, and this church will be charged with the power of the resurrected Jesus. May we go from this building today saying, “Did not our hearts burn within us, as He talked to us along the road.” Grant it, Father. As Your servant, with these material things, we go forward now to obey Your commandments. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

Now the women, I believe, go to this room. Is that right? [Brother Neville says, “That's right.”]  Over here where there will be preparation, the women of the church will take their places here with these women to my right-hand side. The men will go to this side, which is the left side. And, Doc, if he will, get the great lights over the baptistery; everybody will be able to see the baptismal service. And Brother Neville will lead the songs for me, if he will. And we'll...

[Brother Neville says, “Move this here. Wait, we'll have to unplug there so they can hear you speak.”] Then set that up close. [“Brother Taylor will help you.” Blank.spot.on.tape.]

That she went down below Corydon, to a woman that wasn't nothing but a shadow of a woman, with cancer. And played the tape to her, of one of the meetings, and the woman is totally delivered, out in the yard, raking leaves. The doctors can find nothing of her cancer.

A few days ago, a woman sat here, where I asked and said, in a little congregation, “We didn't get a chance to give out prayer cards, so I will just simply ask, 'How many here that's never been in my meetings before?'.” Many raised their hands. The great Holy Spirit swept over the place and begin to discern the people's thoughts and what they should do. There was a little baby sitting there from somewhere in Georgia, with a skin disease since it was born. Two days later, someone called up ... or a few days later, and said, “The skin disease was disappearing from the baby.”

A lady sitting here, going to surgery, with a big malignancy in her side, that was going to be operated on the following Tuesday—that was on Sunday. She came with an alcoholic—used to be—Rosella Griffith. And when this woman came, and the Holy Spirit begin to tell her who she was and where she come from, it said, “You might thought that Rosella told us that.” Then the Holy Spirit went and brought her child out of the audience, and told her about the child, and said, “Thus saith the Lord, that growth is gone.”

And Tuesday morning when she went in for her examination ... or for her operation, while all the specialists—four of them, I believe—got together, they started to feel for the lump, and it wasn't there. They put her under x-rays, and called in other doctors, and put her clothes back on her and sent her home, “There is nothing in it at all.” God is still God! Don't lose faith, just keep believing. All right. [Break in tape.]

All of you pray for me while we go into California, in the meetings; do that now. We're to be about ... between ten or fifteen days at the Angelus Temple, beginning the third.

Then we go from there, one night with the Spanish people, in an auditorium in Los Angeles, the sixteenth. Seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth, we're at the naval bases at San Diego.

And then we go from there to San Jose. That's thirty miles out from Oakland, because we couldn't get the arena we had last year. They're having ice skating there. And we got the fair grounds, which will seat around, I guess, maybe twenty thousand people. And they got sixty-one full gospel churches signed up for the meeting. And so we're expecting a great time there for about two weeks. The Lord bless you. And pray for me, now.

[Brother Neville says, “I just want to make this little announcement, that some of our brethren are going to take out the partition in that room back there for tonight, will be possible to seat one hundred more people.” Blank spot on tape. Congregation sings, I Am Bound For The Promised Land, as Brother Branham and the people prepare for water baptism. Blank spots on tape.]

... observe whatever things Thou has commissioned... Upon the dedication this my brother and his confession... Jesus as his full heart...?... in the Jesus... [There is trouble with the recording with parts missing; the conversation with each person being baptized is not always distinguishable due to the background noise]

What is your...?... You might wait until...?... let them be standing right in...?...

Oh, cold awfully cold...?... We have a thing here...?...

What is your name, sister? [“Mrs. Helen Kennard.”] From where? [“Jeffersonville... I'm Opal Weaver's daughter.”] Opal Weaver's daughter. And your mother was saved from death, wasn't it? Opal Weaver, she had cancer. Yeah, well, you wouldn't be the nurse that was down there that day when I come in there? One of her daughters was studying for a nurse. [“I might have been.”] Yeah. When I went in to pray for her that night down there... [“Yeah. Oh, I been with her several times when you first prayed for her.”] Fine. Mrs. Kennard, have you been baptized before? [“I been sprinkled.”] Sprinkled...?... Now, just look this way, Mrs. Kennard. All right...?... [The baptistery curtain is opened.]

Is your mother out there? [Sister Kennard says, “She's over there.”]

This is Mrs. Kennard. And to the church folks here, this is Sister Opal Weaver's daughter.

And all of you know Opal Weaver, the what taken place in her life. She was merely a skeleton with cancer; the doctors had give her up. And Mrs. Weber next door, which is a relative of hers, one day when I come in from the west for a meeting, asked me to go down there and see Mrs. Weaver. Mrs. Weaver said, “Brother Branham, I'm not worthy that a servant of Christ come in my house, because I'm a sinner.” And she didn't talk too much about Divine healing, but she talked about her sins. She didn't want to meet God a sinner. And there she had give her life to God. And was—come to this pool, so reely and rocky, with little bitty limbs and arms, until she would look like a skeleton, walking in this water to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. She's standing there weeping now, as she watch her daughter going for the same baptism that she was.

Are you—you're standing there, aren't you, Mrs. Weaver? Will you step out, just so they can see what she looks like now. Many years ago, a skeleton of about forty pounds. This is her daughter going down in the same pool, in the Name of Jesus Christ.

God bless you, Sister Kennard. You just put your arm right around just like this, Sister Kennard. Hold them right around mine. That's it. Now, that's all right, just look right up this way. Now let us bow our heads.

O Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, Author of everlasting life, and Giver of every good gift. As this woman has come this morning, realizing that You have raised up her mother from the shadows of death, as she obeyed You in water baptism, as she promised on her deathbed she would do.... She comes this morning, knowing that she's just been sprinkled, and was not satisfied that that was apostolic baptism. She comes now to fulfill the desire of her heart and the command of God. Therefore, Father, I pray that You will fill her with the Holy Spirit, and let her live a long life, happy, and be of service to You.

And upon your confession of your faith, and your consecration to our Lord, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.[Brother Branham immerses the sister in water; the curtain is closed]

...?... Now, bring someone else...?... get them used to the water...?...

Bring them up here, and let them get in, sister. Bring someone else in here, sister. I want the other one next. See, you just be... That's it. Just line up the children this way. Yeah.

All right. Be looking this way...?... Stand, stand right there...?... stand...?... That's it. That's it, stand right there...?... Belvin.

Now, bring another girl and let her be standing back there...?... getting used to the water. Now, that's...?... bringing another one down, getting everybody a little used to it.

Now, stand right there, this a way, sister. All right. Belvin, from Michigan. [The curtain is opened]

Sister Belvin—Marias, from near Battle Creek, Michigan, who comes to be rebaptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

The people, the reason we was just a little hesitant then, even though the warmer has been in this water for some time, the bottom of the pool is still icy cold. And that's why we're letting them just come, getting used to the water. And I'm asking them, just bring them just so that they be constantly coming in, one all the time.

So now if you'll just put your arms right around mine, Sister Belvin, like this, cross your hands. That's it. All right. Now let us pray.

Most righteous, heavenly Father, Author of everlasting life, Giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon this woman who comes all the way from Michigan to follow Your Son in baptism this morning in this icy pool. O Lord, hear the prayers of Your servant. And I pray that You will fill her life with Your power, good things of heaven. And, as I baptize her with water, fill her with the Holy Ghost and Power for Your service. Grant it, eternal God. As Thou has commissioned us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe whatever Thou has commanded.

Therefore upon the confession of your sin, and your faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The sister is immersed; the curtain is closed]

What's your name, huh? [“Joseph.”] Joseph what? [“Blade.”] Blade. What's his last name? [Someone says, “Blade.”] What? [“Blade.”] Blade. All right. Now, just stand right there...?... son, and be getting used...?... All right. Now, you stand over there, sister, so that... That's it. All right. [The curtain is opened.]

Here's a fine young man, Joseph Blade. This little boy has played instruments before as much as a hundred and fifty thousand people. He's coming to be a little preacher. And he's come to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, not by the persuading of his father, his mother, but upon his own conviction he comes. He's got to play this afternoon up here somewhere in Indiana, but wanted to wait over until this taken place, because he's convinced that this is right. It's written in the Scriptures, “A little child shall lead them.” Let us bow our heads.

(Take hold of Brother Branham's arm. That's the way, boy, right here.) Let us pray.

Lord God, it is written, “Suffer little children to come to me.” Here is a little Joseph. When I think of that name, I think of my own little boy. I pray that You will bless little Joseph, fill his life with the Holy Ghost, Lord, make him ... give him his heart's desire, let him be a preacher of the gospel. Give him success in all that he does. And upon Your commission, Lord, as You have commissioned us to go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost, and teaching them to observe whatever You have commanded.

And upon the confession of this little boy's sins and his faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my little brother, Joseph, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. [The brother is immersed] Amen.

What's your name, sister? [The sister says, “Myers.”] Myers, Sister Myers. Oh, Sister Downing here, you're just coming in the water. These people are from Tennessee.

This is Sister Myers, coming from Memphis, Tennessee, to meet her Lord in baptism this morning. I suppose you've been baptized once [“Yes.”] as a child. And you're coming now to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you'll just hold my arm, Sister Myers, I believe, if you'll maybe turn both hands over. I believe, the lady a while ago.... That's it. That's better. Let us bow our heads.

O Lord God, Who raised up Jesus from the dead, and has give us the witness by the Holy Ghost, we stand here in this icy tomb this morning, knowing this, that as sure as Jesus came from the grave, so shall we rise in that day. Someday, if Jesus tarries, we will go to a muddy grave, dirt will be throwed in on us. But there is no grave can hold us. Jesus gave the promise, “He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved.” This young woman comes today with a full consecrated heart, believing that You will do this for her. Therefore, Lord God, creator of heavens and earth, and author of everlasting life, send Thy blessings upon her, as I fulfill the commission that You gave us to do.

Upon the confession of your faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.  [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed] God bless you, sister.

Sister Downing is here. Glad to see you, Sister Downing. [The curtain is opened]This is Sister Downing, also from Memphis, Tennessee. God has been good to this family; how He has been to her mother, who has had a long sick spell. This is one of my wife's best friends. And she comes today, not because of persuasion; she comes because of conviction, that she wants to be rebaptized in the name of Jesus Christ. God, bless this woman.

I want to say this: I'd rather give a person a little bud now than a whole wreath after they're gone. I have watched this woman for many years, since I come into the ministry. And this woman, knowing her backgrounds of what she has been and what she's done; she's had a heart full of trouble, but she's been one of the examples of Christianity. I'm glad I can say that this morning. And she is outstanding to me, as a consecrated Christian. I'm so glad I can say that for her, before I baptize her in the name of her Lord.

Hold your hands any way you want to do it, Sister Downing. Right across there will be all right. Lock your fingers like this, I believe it'll make you come up better.

Almighty God, Creator of heavens and earth, and Author of every good gift, and the Author of everlasting life, Thou has commissioned us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. This, Lord, we have done reverently. And I pray that You'll receive this woman, upon the conviction of her heart; after has once been in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Not because that I have said it; because that she is convinced that it's Your apostolic and Your original initial way for baptism, as the first church baptized. She comes like Paul said, of old. And, God, I pray that You will receive her. And I know You will. And make her life happy now. Give her the desire of her heart.

And upon the confession of faith in Jesus Christ, and upon your consecration to Him, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The sister immersed, then the curtain is closed] Amen. Praise be to God!

All right, I believe you're the next person coming. What's your name? [The brother says, “Henry Blade.”] Henry Blade. All right. [The curtain is opened]This is Henry Blade, a young man who comes to be baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you a brother to the little fellow that was just baptized? You play music, too? Another one of the band that plays the music, called for everywhere. Someone was just telling me a while ago that they play before great audiences everywhere. And he has come upon conviction to be baptized in the name of His risen Lord. Would you walk right up here, Brother Blade? You just put both arms like this, right around my arm. That's it. Let us pray.

O Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, and author of everlasting life, and giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon this young man who I baptize in the name of Your Son. Grant it, Lord.

Upon the confession of your sins, and your faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved brother, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The brother is immersed]

Well, little boy, bless him!

What's your name? [The brother says, “Myers.”]  What? Myers. This is little Brother Myers. How old are you? Ten. Someone might say, “Why do you baptize this little boy?”

Jesus said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” Suffer them to come. This little boy wants to be baptized. I believe they had to go out and get clothes for him, or something, to be baptized. He is convinced. Let us pray.

Lord God, creator of heavens and earth, author of everlasting life, and giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon this child that comes to You this morning in this icy tomb. As I baptize him with water, fill him with the Holy Ghost.

Upon the confession of his sins, and his faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my little brother, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The brother is immersed] Bless his little heart.

All right, Sister Ungren. This lady here, has been a trophy of God's grace. This is Mrs. Ungren, the mother of the Downing girl and the girl that was before her, that was just baptized. They all come from Memphis, Tennessee. This has been a friend of ours for years and years. And she is from a trinity church down in Memphis, Tennessee. I would not tell Sister Ungren or nobody not to go to the church. Certainly, you go to your own church. That's all right. But, she is not doing that because she has something against her church; she is doing this because she is convinced by the gospel that this is apostolic baptism. God bless you, Sister Ungren. She has been ill, going through a time of life; it's not done her any good.

And Sister Weaver, as you are standing here, and a witness that that.... And many of you here who knows that when you were rebaptized again in the name of Jesus Christ ... some of you out there with cancer and couldn't get well, when you were rebaptized in Jesus' name, the cancer left you. Mrs. Weaver is one of them. And the lady across the street there is one of them, that it did it.

And I'm trusting God that this will be the end of your suffering, sister, because you've obeyed the commandments of God.

Now if you'll just put your arms right around mine, just any way you want to hold it. Let us pray. All right.

Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, here stands Your servant, and she has been sick for some time, but, O Lord, she stands here today in this pool to be baptized into the name of Jesus Christ. Lord, I've loved these people, and have prayed for them constantly that they would see this great light. For, I believe, Lord, that it's—all my heart—it's the way that You have ordained us to go. I pray that You will heal Sister Ungren now. May every trace of sickness be left in this pool. May she rise in new health, and in the power of the resurrection of Christ.

Upon her witness and her confession, and her faith in the Word of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.[The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed]

All right, brother. I believe you're a radio technician, aren't you, or something another? [The brother says, “Radio announcer.”] Would you turn and stand. What's your name? [“Bert Maine.”] Bert Maine. You turn... Yeah. [The curtain is opened.]

This is Brother Bert Maine, the radio man, news man, news broadcaster for the radio station, that's convinced that the water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ is correct. Have you been baptized before, brother? He's been baptized before in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. But convinced by the reading of the Word that this is what he should do, a man of his caliber and his profession, comes straight to the water to want God to bless him and to give him what He has for him in life. May God bless this loyal servant of His.

Just walk right up here, Brother Bert, put both arms right around mine, this right here. That's it. Let us pray.

Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, and Author of everlasting life, and Giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon this brother. And as he comes here as a witness of Your grace, a reader of Your Word, convinced in his heart that this is the thing to do, because it's a commission of Your holy church. It's the original. And, Lord, we want to follow the commandments of those who walk with You, for it's truly our desire to walk as they walked, take the path the apostles have trod. Maybe persecution, maybe it's heartaches, maybe it's sorrows, we don't know what it holds; but, Lord, as long as You are leading, we know it will be right. Bless our brother, fill his life with the Holy Ghost, and consecrate himself unto the service of Christ.

Therefore, upon the confession of your faith, and your conviction of this that you are fixing to do now, my beloved brother, I baptize thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The brother is immersed]

You're Sister... [The sister says, “Skaggs.”] Sister Skaggs. Are you a daughter to Brother Skaggs here, my friend, from...?... Would you look...

This is Sister Skaggs. Have you ever been baptized before, Sister Skaggs? Been baptized before in the “Father, Son, Holy Spirit.” She comes this morning, this young woman, to give her life a consecration to the Lord Jesus, to follow Him in apostolic baptism. The Lord bless you, Sister Skaggs. Would you come up this way just a little closer, put your arms just any way that you want to hold mine. Let us bow our heads.

Almighty God, Creator of heavens and earth, and the Author of Everlasting Life, and Giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon this young handsmaid of Yours. I pray that You'll fill her life with the mercies and blessings of God, consecrating her soul to You, Lord, and fill her with Thy Spirit and love.

Upon the confession of your faith, my beloved sister, I baptize thee in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed] Amen.

[Someone asks about someone to be baptized] Whatever she is, if she is convinced, well, okay, then. All right.

What is your name, now? [Henry B. Johnson.“ The curtain is opened]

This is Brother Henry B. Johnson. He come here last Easter to be baptized and didn't have his clothes, and he's waited a year to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. God bless this gallant servant of Christ. Walk right up here, Brother Johnson. Just put your arms right around mine here, any way that you think you can raise yourself up better with. That's it. That's it. Let us pray.

Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, and Author of Everlasting Life, Giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon this waiting heart. Oh, when You see him come from this water, may the Holy Spirit that moved on the water the first thing, may It move upon him. Consecrate his life, O God, to Thee, a service.

Upon the confession of your sins and your faith in Jesus Christ, I baptize thee, my beloved brother, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. [The brother is immersed] Praise God.

All right, sister. Cold? Let's see, what is it, Martha is it, or... [“Jo Ann.”] Jo Ann.

This is another little girl from one of—or Sister Downing's daughter, little Jo Ann Downing. That's right, sister? How old are you now, about? Fourteen. She's a personal friend of my little girl Rebekah standing here watching her being baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus; we're so happy today to see little Jo Ann, upon conviction these teenage children, when this world is full of sin and corruption to see them taking their choice for Jesus Christ. God bless this young girl. (As you hold your hands) Let us pray.

Almighty God, Creator of heavens and earth, and Author of Everlasting Life, send Thy blessings upon this young woman. As I baptize her with water, I pray that You'll fill her with the Holy Ghost. Grant that her young life will be a—a benediction to You, Lord. Grant it. And speak to her, and live in her, and work through her, Lord, through the power of God.

Upon your confession of the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed]

Your mother here? Cold? What's your name? [“Sharon Myers.”] Sharon Myers. Look this way, Sharon. [The curtain is opened.]

Sharon Myers, another young woman comes now, consecrating her life to Christ. Have you ever been baptized, Sharon? No, this is her first time to be baptized. May the Lord bless this young woman and fill her life with God's goodness and mercy.

Just come right up here, Sister Sharon. And just put both arms like this, honey, I believe, I think this way would be best. Just any way that you can hold it now like that. Bless you. Let's pray.

Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, Author of everlasting life, and Giver of every good gift, send Thy mercies upon our sister here. And may she live and be an example of real Christianity, in the neighborhood where she comes from. Grant it, Father. And as Thou has commissioned us to “go into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of Father, Son, Holy Ghost,” teaching them to observe whatever Thou has commanded us. Grant it, Lord, that this young girl will receive the blessings that You've promised.

Upon the confession of your faith, and upon your consecration to the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed]

Now, as soon as they're out, right away pull...?... All right.

And your name is... [The brother says, “Sumner.”] Sumner. [The curtain is opened] Look this way. Brother Sumner. Where you from, Brother Sumner? From down in Georgia, he comes this morning. You ever been baptized before, Brother Sumner? He's been baptized before, “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Convinced that this is truth, he comes this morning all the way from Georgia, to be baptized again in the Name of Jesus Christ on this Easter morning, confessing his faith in the Son of God. You move right up this way, Brother Sumner, and put your arms around mine. Let us pray.

Lord God, as I baptize him with water, I pray that You will fill him with the Holy Ghost and fire. This young man, a consecrated life, Lord, send him out into the mission fields somewhere to do Your work.

And upon the confession of his faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved brother, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The brother is immersed]God bless you, my gallant brother.

You are Sister.... [The sister says, “Sumner.”] Is that your husband? [“Yes.”] Well, how nice! I trust that God will bless. This is Sister Sumner, you understand. That was her husband just baptized just a few moments ago. We're letting the people stand a few minutes, so they can get used to the water. All right, Sister Sumner, if you'll just put arms around mine. I believe if you'll just swap this like this, Sister Sumner, it would be better. Let us pray.

Lord God, as Sister Sumner comes now to follow in baptism, our Lord and Saviour. Coming next after her husband, how appropriate. I didn't know that. But to wait till that time, that must have been Your ordained will, Lord, and Your way of doing things, that she could follow her husband, also, for he is the example for her. And I pray that You will bless her and consecrate her life. And may they live long, happy lives together, raising their little ones and serving You. As she comes now to be baptized, I pray that You will give her the desire of her heart.

Upon the confession of your faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed]

First time you've ever been baptized, Sister Sothmann? [The curtain is opened]This is one of my very dear bosom friend's wife, Brother Fred Sothmann from Hughton, Saskatchewan, Canada. Sister Sothmann—she's a very dear person, consecrated woman, a real mother, a real wife and sweetheart to my friend, Fred. I pray that God bless Sister Sothmann, and give her every kingdom gift that she is desiring.

You can put your arm right here. I believe this would be best, Sister Sothmann, take it right like this. Then this one underneath, like that. Let us pray.

O Lord God, creator of heavens and earth, I am just as positive that You are standing somewhere on this place here this morning, looking at this, for no man can do anything in Your name without You knowing about it. You see this woman's faith and her consecration. I pray that You will bless her and Brother Fred together, may they live long, happy lives, serving You. Grant it, Lord. And as she has come now with a full surrendered heart, and consecration, to be baptized according to the way that the apostles were baptized, in the way they did baptize.

Therefore, upon her confession of her faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.[The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed]

Kind of getting the shivering bumps? [The sister says, “Yes.”] What is your name? [“Doris Hudgins.”] Hudgins. [The curtain is opened.]

Sister Doris Hudgins. Where you from, Sister Hudgins? New Albany. She comes this morning to be baptized into the Name of her Saviour. May the Lord God of heaven bless her and make her a blessing in New Albany, from which she shall return.

Put—put this arm under like this and that's right. All right. Keep the little fellow right there just a moment, till...?... That's pretty cold for a little girl. Is that your little sister? Oh, that's mighty fine. Just a moment, we'll take care of it. Let us pray, will you?

Almighty God, Creator of heavens and earth, and Author of everlasting life, and Giver of all good spiritual and physical gifts, give to this woman good health, strength, happiness, and all the spiritual blessings that You have in store for her. God is not willing that she should lack in anything. And I pray that You will grant it, Lord, to her, as she is consecrating herself, in following Thee to this icy tomb this morning. God, grant it.

And upon the confession of your faith, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.  [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed] Praise God!

And you, son, get a little bit used to it. He may be a little afraid. Don't be scared now.

Well, what's your name, honey? [“Mary Alice Blade.” The curtain is opened] Blade? Are you the—the—the people just baptized? Little Mary Alice Blade. How old are you, honey? Eleven years old. May the Lord bless this little child, give to her the sincerity and desire, the sincere desire of her heart is my prayer. You walk up here. Mary Ellen... Mary Alice. All right, then. Let us pray.

Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, and Author of everlasting life, and Giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon this child here, at the turning point of life. May she continue on this road that leads to life. Grant it. As she has come this morning, confessing her sins, and confessing that she has faith in Jesus Christ Who died to save her from those sins, she goes to this icy pool, to be baptized in the name of her Saviour. Grant, Lord, that the Holy Spirit will be moving on the water when she comes up from here, and move on her heart, and never leave her, from now through all eternity. Grant it, Lord.

On the confession of your sins, and your faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.[The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed]

All right; sir. Let me stand a little longer and let me get another one. Is that—is any more coming to be baptized? Are you going to be baptized, sister? All right. You coming, honey, to be baptized? The other little girl coming too? All right. Let them be getting a little bit used to it, let them go just a little. Quiet, it'll be all right, just stand real still. And let the little girl walk on...?... about one step at a time, when she comes down. All right, just stand right along here now a little bit...?...

What's your name, sister? [“Darlene.” The curtain is opened] Dorothy who? [“Darlene Wilcoxson.”] Darlene. Well, where you from, Darlene? Down in Kentucky.

This is little Darlene Wilcoxson from Kentucky. She comes this morning in confession of faith in the Son of God, to be baptized into the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May God bless this. I love to see these teenage children come, because if there is a tomorrow, this will be the workers of tomorrow. And right, a lovely little lady, right at the age where Satan could sap her little life and make her a—a disgrace. She's took the right road. Stay on it, Darlene, till Jesus sets you free. Just put one hand like this. And, I believe, Darlene, like this, honey, and then one over like that. That's fine. Let us pray.

Merciful God, who created the heavens and earth, and gave all things freely through Jesus Christ, we thank Thee this morning for the privilege we have of leading these children to Thee. O Gracious God, fill this little life. And may the devil not touch her! And may she be Your servant all the days of her life. Grant it, Lord. As she started this morning, standing in this icy tomb, going down here, believing that Jesus Christ died for her sins, and she is making a public confession of it now. Write her name not only on this baptismal sheet, but may it be in the book of life. May she come forth in that day, shining as gold. Grant it.

Upon the confession of your sins, and your faith in God's Son, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed] All right.

All right. [The curtain is opened] What's your name? Emily Clay. What a sweet little girl this is, little F—Emily Clay. What a faith... [A brother says, “Blade”] Blade. Oh, you're the—one of the—the... That was your sister just baptized; she's a little darling.

Why, someone said to me one time, said, “Brother Branham, why do you baptize children?”

Jesus said, “Suffer little children to come to Me.” That is, suffer, let them come.

Said, “Well, she doesn't know what she's doing.”

She'd know she done wrong, wouldn't she? You think that child wouldn't know when she done wrong? If she's old enough to know what—when she's done wrong, she's old enough to know when she's done right. What if something would happened to her, and I'd forbid her, then that blood would be on my hands at the day of judgment. Yes, sir. No matter what age they are, when you're—when they want to come, you let them come. That's right.

You love Jesus? You going to serve Him? You know what this pool is this morning? That's where He died, was buried, down in this real cold grave but He rose up again, God brought Him up. Someday, honey, you'll come forth, too. You love Jesus, and serve Him all the days of your life. Now let us pray.

Lord, it is written, “Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” I pray that You will bless this little child. As I baptize her with water, and You baptize her with the Spirit, Lord. She's come, she is believing, she has come upon her own will. And I'm baptizing her according to Thy Word.

On the confession of her sins, and her faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.[The sister is immersed]

How you getting along? How you getting along, honey, all right? What's your name? [The sister says, “Emily Robison.”] Dobson? [“Robison.”] Robison. This is little Sister Robison who comes to be immersed in the name of her Saviour, the Lord Jesus. Let us bow our heads now as we pray. Put your arms right here, honey.

O Lord God, Creator of heavens and earth, and Author of everlasting life, and Giver of every good gift, send Thy blessings upon the little lady. As she comes this morning confessing her sins, and believing in the Son of God, grant, Lord, that she will be filled with the Holy Ghost. May she take that right road, and continue on it, until she is free of this life. Grant it, Lord. Give her the blessings of her life.

Now, upon the confession of your sins, and your faith in the Son of God, I baptize thee, my beloved sister, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.  [The sister is immersed, then the curtain is closed]Amen. Amen. Praise the Lord!

You a little scared to come out now, honey, huh? Where's the mother at? [The mother says, “Right here.”] What do you think, you want to try it? [“Well, it's just up to her. She's been begging me, to be baptized...?...”]

You want to be baptized, honey, huh? You want to be, honey? You want to come with Brother Branham in the water? You afraid to come out, huh? You want to come, sweetheart? ...?... come...?... come? You want to come out here...?...

All right, sis, it may be a little bit scary to her. That's the way it should...?...

Now, is—is there someone else in there? That... Is there someone else on this side? All right, pull the curtain. All right. [The curtain is opened.]

The little girl that was standing here just now to be baptized, she wanted to be baptized, but she was afraid the water was too cold for her. And so her mother said... Well, she asked me what I thought. I said, “Maybe if she'd be scared, I wouldn't want to scare her.” See? And she was very small anyhow. But she talks about she wants to be baptized, so she thought she'd wait till the next baptism, maybe the water'd be a little warmer. So that's mighty sweet, and the mother. And we pray that God... Let's offer prayer for the little girl.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for that little thing. And it should be a rebuke to older people, to see that, when that little heart is tender and young, she wants to come. So little, Lord, shows that You can deal with a heart when it becomes humble and simple. May it be an example, Lord, that You can deal with people. And I pray that You will be with the little girl, and help her. May she get older, and stronger and bigger, to where she can be baptized in the name of Your Son. Grant it, Father.

And now to these, Father God, who have been baptized, as I still remain here in the water.... And Your Spirit has been here; we seen these little girls raise, and little boys, with their hands in the air, glorifying You. We're so thankful for this, to know that the Holy Spirit is here. Bless, Lord. Bless those who have been waiting, the fathers and mothers, the loved ones, the husbands, the daughters, the mothers, and what-more. I pray that You will bless them all.

And now, Father, I pray that You will give us rest this afternoon. And help me as I go into that line of discernment this afternoon and tonight, that the Holy Spirit will.... After we've done these things, may it be the greatest triumph we've ever had in the Tabernacle, tonight. May there be power unspeakable, here in the Tabernacle, to heal all the sick and afflicted. Grant it, Lord.

We pray and consecrate ourselves. And I stand here in this, this watery grave this morning, I consecrate myself again to You, Lord. O God, if there is anything in me You can use, take it. Brother Neville, and all of us together, as ministers, or deacons, as co-workers in the gospel, we consecrate ourselves to Thee, O God. Use us, Lord. Give us a new resurrection in our heart, by experience. Send us out, anointed with the Holy Ghost, that we might do the work of the living God. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. I turn the service to Brother Neville.