What is Baptism?

Introduction

Pray, going to look at 2 main passages tonight, read Romans 6:1-14

Want to talk about what baptism is and what it means for us

Explanation

Baptism is a big deal

Why it seems like maybe we’re beating a dead horse It’s modeled by Jesus (although his was to initiate his ministry, not to repent of sins)

Baptism in the New Testament is the moment we confess Jesus as Lord.

Acts 8:36 — the Ethiopian eunuch sees water and immediately makes the decisio

In the New Testament, “confession” and “baptism” are one in the same; it’s why we start with a confession

You’re publicly declaring to the world that a new King is on the throne in your life

Baptism is the moment we receive forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit and are born into a new life.

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 (Acts 2:38)

Talk more about what the Holy Spirit means for our holiness after Spring Break

God reserves sovereignty for others, like mentally incompetent because it’s not the water that saves

In the moment you confessed, the slate was wiped clean and you received God’s Spirit to help you walk this new life

Likewise, baptism is identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

(Romans 6:3-4)

…for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27)

In the same way the water covers you, you have been “clothed with Christ”

Your old life was headed for destruction! Why would we ever turn back? We've been born into a new life.

Baptism is a once-for-all commitment.

The old you has died! There is no going back.

Cortez — burned the ships, stop looking back!

Why you don’t (usually) need to be rebaptized (when, why usually not/based in OT purification rite which was continual)

Baptism is an unforgettable memory of our transfer from death to life.

…whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)

Don’t have to worry about sincerity of a prayer, read (Romans 6:5) again

Baptism is a limited time offer.

Evangelistic charge, rather than appeal

Bottom line

Be who you are! (Phil. 3:7-21)

Everything is a loss compared to knowing Jesus (v. 8)

The things of the world lead us to destruction (v. 19)

What we walk towards is so much better—to know Jesus and be with him forever (v. 8, 21)

Live up to what you have attained (v. 16)

The Bible says you are…

Chosen — For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you… (1 Thess. 1:4)

Redeemed — In him we have redemption through his blood… (Eph. 1:7)

Justified — …we have been justified through faith (Romans 5:1)

Saved — He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Forgiven — I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven… (1 John 2:12)

Free from sin — But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

Complete — …in Christ you have been brought to fullness. (Col. 2:10)

New Creation — …if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation… (2 Cor. 5:17)

Child of God — See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)

The Light of the World — You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)

God’s Temple — Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temples and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Cor. 3:16)

Created for good works — For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Victorious — …thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 15:57)

More than a conqueror — …in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Co-heir —Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ… (Romans 8:17)

Be who you are!

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Enjoy Spring Break…do the things that form you into the image of Jesus!