Baptism Sunday @ Doubling Gap

Welcome and Thanks!

Good Morning Church! I would like to take a moment to thank the Doubling Gap Church and Pastor Don for Hosting us for such a special Kingdom Building Celebration!

This morning I want to focus in on the what will happen in a few minutes right behind me.

Although, this is a special day for the 6 being baptized, this is also a special day for the church as well.

The scripture text that we read this morning reminds us that this is not just something we do in the life of the church today, but a ancient practice that connects us with the whole rest of the church from it’s birth.

This morning, I want to reflect on the story we encounter in the book of Acts, consider the practice of Baptism as a personal and communal sacrament, and invite us into a deeper relationship with Christ and each other through the baptism.

If you have your bibles, please turn to Acts 8 starting at verse 25.

Walking Through the Text: Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Background and Context:

Phillip is lead by the Spirit to speak to a royal offical from Ethiopia, this eunuch was on his way home from worshipping in Jerusalem and just happened to be reading from the book of Isa.

Philip approaches the man and asks, do you understand what you are reading?

How does the Eunuch respond? How can I unless someone explains it to me?

The Two men read the passage and the Eunuch asks who is this prophet talking about himself or someone else?

Philip gives the answer, who is the Passage talking about Church? JESUS!

Then there is a body of water, Philip Baptizes the Eunuch and then they part ways.

What we glean from the Text!

Understanding a key aspect of baptism. Understanding Scripture. Understanding God. Understanding what Jesus has done in light of the scriptures. Understanding what it means to be baptized.

This is important in my own story because I was baptized at the age of 7, by my father. I got baptized because I wanted to belong. Then I was re-baptize as a young teenager. This time I had a deeper understanding of scripture after going through baptism classes, but what I didnt have is an understanding of Jesus and what it meant to be baptized as a follower of Jesus.

For those that are going to be baptized, this importance of understanding God and the scriptures is Key.

For Josh and Issac this meant more than 13 weeks of Baptism classes where we studied the bible, reflected on theology and belief, and really disccussed what it meant to have a relationship with God.

As their Pastor, I am so proud of these two young men. I have watched them grow in their walk with Jesus over the last year. This celebration is not just for one step that these individuals will take today, but the many steps they have already taken on their faith journey.

Yet, as Christians Baptism isnt just an understanding of the Bible or Theology it is a personal understanding of the Work of Christ. That he died and was raised to new life, and all that would follow him would do the same. Paul puts it this way in Romans 6.

Romans 6:3–5 CEB

Or don’t you know that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we were buried together with him through baptism into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life. If we were united together in a death like his, we will also be united together in a resurrection like his.

Baptism is a commitment to Follow Jesus. For Jews at the time what it meant to follow someone is not the same as it is today. We can follow the news or social media, but back then it meant to walk as they walked not just listen, but do as they did, become there shadow.

Thus, baptism is an action where we publically say, I want to follow Jesus in dying to sin and living a new life.

In baptism, we become Christ’s agents to the rest of the world, acting on his behalf as He did for us.

Example from Dune.

The second thing we learn from the scripture text is that Baptism is not just an individual thing, but a communal thing. Phillip doesnt say, you understand now Go baptize yourself in the water, NO he goes with them. Yes, baptism is personal, but it is communal too!

As each of these individuals are baptized and make a commitment of faith to follow Jesus, we too are reminded of our own baptisms and commiments.

In a few minutes, I will ask those being baptized certain questions, they are not just for these folks, but for everyone who has decided to follow Jesus.

We also have a responsibility to care for each other as part of God’s family to raise up these young ones to be mature in Christ. It takes a community to raise a Jesus follower church.

This is a chance for all of us to renew our commitment to die to ourselves and live a new life that looks more like Jesus. We may not all be getting wet today, but we all have a chance to renew our commitment to follow Jesus.

Wether youve been baptized several times, regardless of your age, in the prayer time following the baptismal questions I would invite everyone stirred by the desire to recommit their lives to Christ and for their walk to look like Jesus to come forward and pray!

To say from this moment forward I am making the commitment to love and live more like Jesus. That I would decrease, He would increase. From this day forward until Kingdom Come!

would you pray with me?

Baptism Questions:

Do you renounce the evil powers of this world and turn to Jesus Christ as your savior? Do you put your trust in his grace and love and promise to obey and follow him as your Lord?

if so answer I do!

Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth in Jesus Christ, God’s Son our Lord; and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life?

if so answer I do!

Do you accept the Word of God as guide and authority for your life?

if so answer I do!

Are you willing to give and receive counsel in the congregation?

if so answer I am!

Are you ready to participate in the life and mission of the church?

if so answer I am!

Now to the Church Family Diller and Doubling, all of Christ’s body, Will you commit to care for the young men and women being baptized, to pray for them, to support them in all seasons of their walk with Jesus?

If so answer boldly and loudly with “We will”