The Baptism of the Saved

We celebrate today with great joy the baptism of our dear brother Matt Bailey. Yet what is it exactly that we celebrate. Why do we get baptized? What does Baptism mean and why is it so important for the believer and the body of Christ? These are important questions for the believer and for the church. Yet few are there today who can give solid answers to them. Let us then consider 2 things baptism is not and then 2 things baptism is. look with me at Colossians 2:6-15

Colossians 2:6–15 ESV

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Baptism is not Salvific

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Now it seems from this verse that there are two conditions given for the forgiveness of sins Repent

And be baptized

If this is true then baptism leads to salvation however I believe John Piper explains it correctly with this illustration

Imagine you are wanting to catch a train and they make last call for passengers and i tell you to grab your suitcase and run or you’ll miss the train. I just gave you two commands as did peter

Grab your suitcase

and run

Yet the command to grab your suitcase does not help you to catch the train it may be important but the reason you catch the train is because you run. Grabbing your suitcase may be important but running is the cause or reason you catch the train. in the same way Repentance is why you are forgiven of your sins not baptism. Baptism is important but it is not the cause of salvation. Look at today’s text.

Colossians 2:12 ESV

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

What is the cause of being raised from the dead. Again it may seem upon initial reading that it is baptism but Paul says clearly here you were raided with him THROUGH FAITH

It is our faith that saves us.

Baptism is not necessary to receive the Holy Spirit

Colossians 2:8–10 ESV

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Just as people use Acts 2:38 to claim you must be baptised to be saved they claim you cannot receive the Holy Spirit without Baptism.

Yet our text reminds us that we must place our trust not in traditions philosophy and mans ideas but rather in Christ. For in him is the fullness of God and we are all filled with Christ.

Let us consider then when does this occur

The first believers recieved the Holy Spirit not after baptism but after the physical presence of Jesus left them as they were gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4

Acts 2:4 ESV

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Then Cornelius and his household receive the holy spirit as Peter is preaching to them and then he commands them to be baptized

Acts 10:44–48 ESV

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Again it is faith in Jesus Christ that is the cause for receiving the Holy Spirit not baptism.

So what then is baptism for?

Baptism is Symbolic

Colossians 2:12–14 ESV

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

I like to compare baptism to a wedding

The wedding is not what binds you to your spouse you don't stay married for 50 years because you had a wedding you stay married for the same reason you got married you love your spouse and you chose them over everyone else.

In the same way baptism doesn't save you you are saved by your faith in Jesus Christ.

Yet weddings are full of symbolism of our love one for another. This ring that I wear reminds me of my love and that it is eternal just as the ring has no end neither does my love. Wine for prosperity rice or birdseed was for fertility and so many more

in the same way baptism is symbolic of the death of our flesh and the new life in christ

no longer are we to be living in sin but we are circumcised by christ our text says

We are to live a new life in christ.

baptism also represents our forgiveness for in the death of Christ we have gained our forgiveness the debt is canceled. He has nailed it to the cross. God now looks at us and sees our debt of sin as paid for by Christ.

Baptism is a public announcement of our faith

Jesus says these words in Matthew 10:32-33

Matthew 10:32–33 ESV

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

He also gives the command to his disciples as his final act before leaving earth that Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Thus Jesus clearly teaches that Baptism is important and that we must proclaim our faith in him before men to prove it is genuine faith. We as Christians have the responsiblity by the command of Christ to baptize people and then to teach them to observe all the commands of Christ. If iti s the command that we baptize then by inference it is the command that people be baptized. Thus baptism is ones first display of obedience to Christ.

Second baptism serves as a public display and profession of faith. Just as a wedding publicly proclaims the love of the couple the baptism publicly proclaims the faith of the believer in Christ. Thus Baptism is ones first chance to publicly acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord before men in obedience to Matthew 10:32.

Thus baptism offers the chance to be obedient to two different commands of Christ.

Invitation

Do you know God

Have you made public proclamation of your faith in Jesus

Are you helping to teach others the commands of Christ.