Hero of Faith
Bro Bakht Singh
Baptism : 4 February 1932
(Proverbs 10:7) Church Reformer.
How did Bro. Bakht Singh recognise the necessity of Baptism? How did he reform the practice of laying on of hands after Baptism?
Bro. Bakht Singh was Baptized two years after his conversion. During these two years, he was so deeply immersed in reading the Bible and never considered Baptism, feeling it was unnecessary. He was preaching in various Churches by that time, and one morning during his quiet time, the Lord questioned him, “What about your Baptism?” He replied, “I don’t think Baptism is necessary, for I was born again and bear witness everywhere”. Matthew 3:13 says, “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be Baptized of him.” Additionally, when God clearly asked him, “Are you any greater than the Savior?” he responded, “Lord, I have never said that”. He obeyed God’s guidance, realizing that even though it was not necessary for the Lord Jesus, He was Baptized for his sake (our sake). He testified in the waters of Baptism the next day. While living in Winnipeg, Canada, Ovel Hansen, who had helped him receive salvation, introduced him to the missionary Haywards’ family. They accepted him as their son and supported him in every way. When they were transferred to Vancouver, he went with them. There, he attended the West Broadway Church with them and was baptized on February 4, 1932. After coming out of the water, he was filled with great joy, and from that day onward, he continued to meditate on the holy Scriptures with a renewed experience, praying and bearing witness with great freedom.
“Baptism is an act of obedience.” It is also a public declaration of faith, proclaiming to the Church and the world that Christ lives in me! The word “Baptism” (or “Baptize”) comes from the Greek word “Baptizo”, which means “to immerse, to dip, to plunge, or to submerge.” This act of immersion in water and rising symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It serves as a public testimony of being born again. Therefore, a person who is saved or believes in the Lord Jesus Christ must undergo the experience of Baptism. First, belief-an inner action. Second, Baptism-an outward action. Third, the laying on of hands-being incorporated into the fellowship (Church).
The Christian world has always, and still mostly does, follow the early Reformation idea of “salvation by grace alone”. They argue that outward action of full immersion Baptism is unnecessary, focusing only on the inner action of belief. In this matter, well-known world evangelists also proclaimed Salvation and Baptism as part of their gospel, believing that, it is the responsibility of leaders and pastors of various denominations in different countries to fulfil this duty. If the majority of Christians believe that Baptism, which is doctrinally very important, is unnecessary, how can they put in into practise? Although Baptism by immersion in water is practiced in some denominations, it is not followed by the subsequent laying on of hands. The global evangelist, Bro. Bakht Singh, recognized the importance of Baptism followed by the Laying on of Hands and observed many shortcomings in the Church system as the Lord revealed His vision unto him for establishing the New Testament Church through Acts 2: 42.
The importance of sound doctrine in the order of the New Testament Church:
- Proclaiming the Gospel. Mark 16:15.
- Baptizing those who believed in Lord Jesus. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41.
- Immediately after Baptism, the Laying on of Hands. Acts 8: 16,17; Acts 19:6; 2Timothy 1:6.
- To be added unto the Church (Fellowship). Acts 2:42
- Individual worship on the Lord’s day. Psalm 95:6; Hebrews 13:15
- The Lord’s table on every Sunday. Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.
- Praying together as a Church. Acts 2:42, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
That day, the Lord’s Day, June 22, 1941, was the day the Church was established. On the same day, Bro. Bakht Singh baptized sixteen people who believed in the Lord Jesus and prepared themselves, and along with Bro. Goldsworthy laid hands on them. Together with them, the Church pioneer team joined to form the Church, worshiping the Lord according to the New Testament Church principles outlined above. As the Lord commanded, and according to the scripture in Acts 2:42, Bro. Bakht Singh corrected all the shortcomings in the Church system of that time and established a complete indigenous Church (meaning without seeking financial aid from foreign countries) in the former Madras. It can be observed that the foundation of the early Church began with Baptisms followed by Laying on of Hands. Therefore, he can be called a Church Reformer. Because! In the global Christian Church system, the practice of laying on of hands after Baptism, which has been a subject of controversy, and all other shortcomings in the Church system were completely organized in an orderly manner as the Lord led him, reforming them on the first day itself while establishing the early Church. After some time, the bishops and leaders of the Christian community in the city of Madras came to question the Church purification or the reforms undertaken by Bro. Bakht Singh according to the doctrine. He warmly welcomed them, and before speaking with them, the man of God knelt down with the Lord’s help and prayed eloquently in detail. After hearing that prayer, they left without saying anything in response and never came back to see him again. In this way, the wise can compare the order of fellowship established by the servant of God, Bro. Bakht Singh, who corrected all the shortcomings in the Christian Church system of that time, with today’s order of fellowship (the plight of the Church)!
In doctrinally essential matters such as salvation and subsequent Baptism, today’s Churches are deviating. To nominal Christians, Baptism is merely a ritual, but to true believers, it is a testimony. Specifically, in some Churches, new believers are not properly educated, and after receiving an uninformed Baptism elsewhere, the laying on of hands is performed here. According to Acts 19:3-5, those who previously underwent uninformed Baptism even by immersion in water without proper understanding can be re-baptized. (A good example: Many who had previously received Baptism without proper understanding in Madras and later in Hyderabad, including members of Baptist Churches and Bro. G.T. Benjamin, the son of a Baptist pastor, were convinced in faith and received Baptism again.) Church leaders are failing to uphold and fulfil these essential doctrinal principles. They are neglecting such highly important matters. Some are wasting everything on matters that are not even essential for the Church. Many new members are being added. It is the primary responsibility to understand and address their spiritual needs. How can Church leaders correct the issues within a deviated Church if they themselves lack doctrinal experience? If they cast their burden upon the Lord, realizing that the responsibility entrusted to them is unique and very special in this world, and first correct themselves and walk in His will, then the God who led Bro. Bhakt Singh can also help those entrusted with Church responsibilities to prepare them for the development of His living Church and its upliftment at His coming.