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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
Baptism is not Salvific
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.
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
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
Then Cornelius and his household receive the holy spirit as Peter is preaching to them and then he commands them to be baptized
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
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
He also gives the command to his disciples as his final act before leaving earth that Matthew 28:19-20
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.
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