Summer of Discipleship: Baptism
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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.”
Let’s Pray.
Good Morning and welcome to Confessors of Christ Church for the continuation of our Summer of Discipleship Series.
We have discussed many incredible topics that are vital to our discipleship.
Such as deeper discoveries of Church, Community, and last week, Communion.
The purpose behind this series is to display the truth that Discipleship is not an option for the believer.
It is mandatory as we seek to grow our God given faith.
Thus, we are seeking to explore different topics that can help us, not only, in our understanding of God, but also in our walk with God.
Now, Discipleship, by definition, is the following and the learning of a teacher.
Since we are followers of Christ, or Confessors of Christ, we are following and learning of Jesus.
And we have taken this summer to go over different topics to enhance our discovery of Jesus and to walk as Jesus would walk.
Today will be no different as we will take on a topic of great importance but also a topic that has been misunderstood.
Our goal today is to bring clarity and excitement to one of two great sacraments of the Christian faith.
Last week was communion and this week will be baptism.
Since we are also looking at discipleship within community, we will also be looking at the importance of baptism in community.
So, Here is what our goal will be today.
If you are a note taker, and you really should be, this is where we are heading today.
1st we are going to define Christian baptism: Otherwise known as biblical baptism.
2nd we will look at the historical understanding of Baptism and how baptism has taken shape from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
If you are into history, then you will like this part.
Then we will look at the some doctrinal implications to baptism.
If you are into doctrine, then you will like this part.
Lastly, we will look at the celebration of baptism in community.
If you are a human.....you will like this part
So, this will be our roadmap: What is Baptism, What is the history of baptism, What is the doctrine of baptism, and what is the celebration of baptism.
Specifically the celebration in community.
Let us begin with our definition:
Baptism in its briefest explanation is the outward expression of an inward reality.
Very good chance you would have heard of this phraseology before because it is an often repeated cliche.
The outward expression is the physical display of baptism, the inward reality is our Salvation.
Because we have received salvation, we proclaim this new life through the waters of baptism.
Baptism is that celebration of the Spirit’s work in our lives and a public display of this most incredible event.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Everyone, no matter socio-economic status or nationality are united in one body through one baptism.
When the Spirit arrests our hearts and captivates our mind through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are baptized into the body of Christ.
This is something absolutely to be celebrated and should bring forth great praise and adoration to our God. (Pause)
When something fantastic happens in our lives, what is it that we naturally want to do? Tell others about it.
This is one of the main reasons social media is so popular. It is a great way to share your favorite and most exciting moments with friends and family.
The other reason social media is popular is memes and arguments.
So, maybe social media is not a good illustration, but there is a natural desire for us to proclaim that which is amazing.
Illustration with the Andromeda Galaxy.
Hearing about it and being in awe
Capturing it and making it Mine
Showing it to the world.
This is similar to biblical baptism.
Hearing the Gospel
Embracing the Gospel
Showing the Gospel.
So, What is biblical baptism?
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Biblical baptism is the immersion into water that displays our unity with Jesus.
Baptism represents our being unified into His death when we are dipped under the water and then
Baptism represents our being unified with His resurrection when we come out of the water.
It also illustrates are life before Christ, and the dipping in the water cleansing us of our sins and then
We are brought up out of the water cleansed of the stain of sin and walk forth in new spiritual life.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
We were before without Christ and a slave to our sin, baptism displays that we are now in Christ and no longer a slave to sin but to Christ.
Thus, biblical baptism is that sacrament where one who has received faith in Jesus, then displays that faith by entering the waters of Baptism.
Which symbolizes being united with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection.
This is something that we do, in community, to proclaim outwardly to friends, family, and other believers, the inward transformation brought on by the Spirit of God.
This is what biblical baptism is.......
Next, I want us to explore the historical understanding of Baptism.
Many are surprised to hear that Baptism, as we use it today, isn’t how it was always defined.
While there is debate on how this actually looked, we do see clearly in Leviticus a purification ritual with water.
Speaking of, and looking to, the Priests, we see in chapter 16 verse 4 one of the steps that are to be carried out.
He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.
Before these linens were to be put on, the priest was to bathe his body in water, then, and only then, was he to put on these garments.
They were considered Holy and thus nothing unclean was to be upon them.
Verse 24 continues
And he shall bathe his body in water in a holy place and put on his garments and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people.
The Priest, in order to carry out his priestly role, was to be ritually pure.
This act, before putting on the garments, ensured his ritual purity.
While it isn’t baptism as we know it today, it gives us a picture of what was to come.
Here we see the washing, in order to be clean, as the priest put on a Holy garment.
When Jesus enters the scene in the New Testament we will see, in at least in one aspect,
Baptism to symbolize this washing of what is unclean, our sin, and being cleansed.
Except our cleansing is not due to the water, as we see here, but due to the finished work of Jesus.
Not only do we see this washing done by the priests, historically we see this being done when gentiles converted to Judaism.
Baptism was a ritual act used to signify ones inclusion into the Jewish belief system and community.
The Jews would use baptism as an initiation of those who are leaving their pagan religion to embrace the God of Scripture.
As a symbol of their being cleansed from their sinful worship of false gods,
They would be baptized in order to begin their new journey with the true God.
This was all done during Old Testament times and long before the coming of the Messiah.
Then we see baptism return at the start of the New Testament with John the Baptist.
Let us now fast forward to the New Testament and look at the 4th verse in Mark.
John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
John appears on the scene and immediately we see Baptism, but we see it now in a new light for a new purpose.
In Matthew we see this:
Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
John begins the New Testament with baptism.
Instead of a ritual cleansing like the Old Testament it was a sign of, get this, physical repentance.
While, this baptism points to the baptism that we experience today, it was a different and unique baptism for a specific time.
Specifically the anticipation of the coming Messiah.
What we see here is a baptism symbolizing repentance, cleansing, and commitment.
This will certainly be an aspect of the soon to come Christian Baptism, but it is meant to be a pre-cursor to this event.
It was a baptism to prepare those to anticipate the Messiah, cleanse themselves of sin, and commit to seeking God as they await their redeemer.
John clearly tells us the purpose of his baptism and what his baptism will ultimately point to.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
So, we see that John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.
It was not to unite us with Christ.
It was not to demonstrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ,
But it was designed to point the people of that day to Jesus, to anticipate Jesus, and to prepare the coming of the Messiah.
Paul echos this in Acts 19:4
And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
While John’s baptism was to prepare and ready the people for Jesus, something radical and very unexpected happens.
Jesus arrives on the scene and guess what happens?
Jesus asks John to baptize Him!
Why would Jesus do this if he had no need to repent, be cleansed, or commitment to God?
This is a great question, one that John himself asked as well!
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
John was preaching a baptism of repentance and here the One who knew no sin and who needed no repentance asked to be baptized?
It is certainly understandable why John would have be confused and perplexed by this request.
If you are confused too, then you are in very good company!
John was right to recognize his own sin and declare that he is the one that needs to be baptized by Jesus.
Yet, Jesus responds to give clarity.
But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
John hears Jesus out and then consents to baptize Jesus.
Thus we see another type of baptism, this time a baptism that only Jesus could and would experience.
Let’s spend a few moments to explore this unique baptism as we conclude our historical look into baptism.
First, there is a purpose and a plan of God that needed to be fulfilled.
Thus, Jesus says it is fitting that John be the one to baptize Jesus.
John’s role was to proclaim and prepare for Jesus’s arrival.
John was prophesied back in Isaiah 40.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Jesus asked John to baptize Him as a way of declaring that Jesus is the one that they have been waiting for.
Which is also why we have the Holy Spirit descending and the Father speaking at the baptism.
Thus it was Jesus pointing to John as the prophesied one and John pointing to Jesus as the prophesied one.
Another fascinating aspect of John baptizing Jesus is that John was of the tribe of Levi who were the priests of God.
As I first shared, The Levites role in the Old Testament was to present the sacrifices before the Lord.
The sacrifices that would atone for the sin of the people.
John the Baptist, who is in the tribe of Levi, the priests of God, declares these famous words.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
So get this, John, in declaring that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Baptizes Jesus, to declare that He is this one who would be the sacrifice.
As a Levite this was the a role of John and it is being carried out in not just a temporary sacrifice, but as a once and for all sacrifice.
While there are many other historical truths to John baptizing Jesus, I’d like to bring up one more.
Jesus said it was right to fulfill all righteousness that John be the one to present Jesus as the Lamb of God who would be sacrificed.
This “fulfill all righteousness” comment from Jesus is that Jesus’s perfect righteousness,
Would fulfill all of the requirements of the Law for sinners who could never hope to do so on their own.
Let’s remember what Paul says in 2 Corinthians.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
John’s baptism of Jesus declares that Jesus will fulfill all righteousness.
The righteousness that we cannot produce or accomplish will be produced and accomplished by the Messiah.
That long awaited Messiah entered into humanity and was shown to be Jesus.
This one time and unique baptism would usher in a new baptism and the one that we still experience today.
Now for our 3rd point we will explore some doctrinal implications to baptism.
Let’s seek to understand some commonly asked doctrinal questions.
First, question I am often asked is this: Does baptism save you?
The answer is no, Baptism is a result of us being saved, not what saves you.
Often 1 Peter 3:21 will be brought up where it would seem that Baptism does save.
Let’s look at that verse by itself for first.
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
This certainly makes it seem like Peter is saying Baptism now saves, but this is why we must understand and read in context.
The verse before gives us the context that Peter is talking about, and what we will discover is that it is not baptism as Salvation.
Let’s jump back to verse 20 and look together.
because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
What we see here is Peter is relating baptism to Noah’s flood, and How their faith saved them.
Thus, baptism is not a removal of dirt, but an appeal or a declaration of faith.
The Bible very clearly teaches in Ephesians 2:8-9 and in other places that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works.
Thus we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Being immersed in water physically does nothing but wash away dirt, that is not what Peter is talking about, but rather he is saying it is:
An appeal to God for a good conscience, meaning that Peter is connecting baptism with belief.
Which is exactly what Baptism is, an act that we do as we have been saved through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He’s also connecting it to the waters of the flood.
So, baptism is something we do as a result of being saved, not something we do in order to get saved.
Next, Who needs to be baptized and when? (age?)
The Bible tells us all who believe are to be baptized.
If you believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior and you have put your faith and trust in Him, then you should be baptized.
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
All who receive Jesus, believe in Jesus, rest in Jesus, proclaim Jesus, are to be baptized.
A question that arises next is often this, if I believe when?
Let me answer the question with another question, do you have time after service today?
Just kidding, we do not have the baptism prepared today, but joking aside, it should not be delayed.
It is a beautiful and exciting celebration that we should anxiously be anticipating and awaiting.
Thus. all that needs to be done is to let Brad or I know, we will sit down and talk with you to make sure you understand the purpose and meaning
and that you understand and grasp the Gospel, then we will arrange for us to gather for your baptism.
Next question: At what age should someone be baptized?
There is no set age in the Bible one must be in order to be baptized.
What is declared is that they have received his Word.
That they understand the Gospel, and they have demonstrated that they are trusting in Christ for this life and the next.
When it comes to children, it is important that we do not rush into baptism, but also that we do not delay baptism unnecessarily.
Baptism can be done as soon as there is evidence that a child embraces the Gospel and understands their need of a Savior.
Some kids this is grasped and demonstrated at an early age.
Others may take a while and that is OK as well.
What we do not want to do is rush a child into baptism when they do not demonstrate any fruits of the inward transformation brought on by the Spirit of God
and if they do not grasp the Gospel and the purpose and reason for baptism.
This is done on a case by case basis.
For my family I waited until my kids turned 10 and I was confident that they not only knew the Gospel but demonstrated the work of the Spirit in their lives.
But again, there is not a magic number, more of a grasp of the Gospel and a desire to follow Christ.
How should one be baptized?
Bapt-ti-zo is the greek word for Baptize which literally means to dip in, or under water, or to immerse.
And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
Baptized there is Bapt-ti-zo
Just a couple of verses later we see the result of the baptism.
And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Normally here we marvel at Philip teleporting by the Spirt, which is certainly an exciting part,
However, the first part of this verse shows us that they came up out of the water.
Which tells us that they went into the water and deep enough to then come out of the water in order to be baptized.
The means in which someone should be baptized is this full immersion style.
Now, could there ever be exceptions to the rule?
I believe there could be extreme examples that could prevent someone from being baptized by immersion.
However, this would be an exception to the rule, not a common practice.
Here at Confessors of Christ Church we use a blow up Jacuzzi tub.
This is important because if the outside temperature here in Florida drops below 65, we will worry about frost bite and we cannot have that.
Usually we fill it up just over 2 feet deep, and the pool allows us to demonstrate the death and burial by submersion under water, and
Then when lifting out of water the resurrection to new life.
How often should one be baptized?
As many times as it takes to get it right.....would be the wrong answer.
We see baptism being a one-time event that proclaims the new life in Christ.
We do not see any examples or any Scripture that points to baptism being more than a one time event upon receiving salvation.
Should one ever be “re-baptized?
In the majority of cases the answer will be no.
Baptism is not meant to rededicate your life.
It is not meant to renew your cleansing.
Baptism is not what saves you and is a one time event to proclaim the result of your salvation and symbolizes your unity with Christ and a congregation.
Now, the only time I would discuss a potential case where I would re-baptize is if you were baptized under a false religion.
Or if you believe you were not a believer and you were baptized by peer pressure,
or any number of reasons that you now see what not based on a true profession of faith.
For instance, if you were baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church and grew up believing that it was being baptized in the Catholic church is what saves you.
Then you come to saving faith and realize that Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone,
And want to be baptized now that you understand the error of the Catholic Church and the truth of what the Scriptures teach,
then I would absolutely invite you into the baptismal waters.
Should you believe this is you and you desire to be baptized, we would sit down and discuss the details to try to see how we would be glorify God.
It may be that we celebrate the baptism that was given and rest in it, or it may mean that we set a time and baptize you.
This is done on a case by case basis.
What we must understand is that baptism is important and the first step of obedience in our Christian life, but baptism does not save you.
Whether you are baptized or not will not grant you or prevent you from eternal life.
However, our goal should be to honor God, glorify God, and follow Jesus.
Because of this being our goal, we should absolutely want to be baptized.
Our 4th and final point is the importance of celebrating baptism in community.
While we already looked at Acts 2:41 I want us to look at it from a different angle this time.
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
We see those were baptized and added that day into the community of believers.
Baptism is something that we celebrate and participate in community with.
One should not desire to be baptized alone or apart from the body of Christ.
You are uniting with Christ and Christ’s body is the church, thus you are uniting with your baptism into the body of Christ.
Therefore this should not be done in secret, not be done in seclusion, and not be done with just a couple of friends or family members.
This should be a celebration that the entire congregation gets to witness, participate, and commemorate.
When we gather we gather to worship our God, we gather to celebrate His grace and mercy.
We gather to participate in the sacraments which we do every week during communion, and we gather to celebrate God’s transformative power,
through baptism.
Here is my prayer and my hope for Confessors of Christ Church.
I pray that we would be a community of believers that celebrates Baptism.
Just like we celebrate communion, just like we celebrate new members, just like we celebrate weeks we don’t have to tear down after church.
I pray that we would be a community that celebrates God’s work through the Spirit in the lives of those who receive Christ.
Not only that we be a community that celebrates baptisms but a community that anticipates baptisms.
We find ourselves anticipating the temporary when our excitement should be for the eternal.
We anticipate new theme park rides, new movies, new places to eat, and new Dollar generals, but
What would it look like if we as a congregation anticipated new converts to enter into the baptismal waters and celebrate God’s bringing another soul into His kingdom.
What would it look like if we got more excited for a baptism than we did for our favorite football team or video game release.
Lastly, I pray that we would be a community that partners with the Spirit to bring about Baptisms.
Not only should we celebrate, and anticipate, we should also partner with the Spirit to declare the Gospel and seek out those who are lost.
We as a congregation must recognize that we cannot save anyone.
However, we are given the means in which God works through and that is the Gospel.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The Gospel is the power, not us.
The good news of Jesus and the Spirit’s working in the heart and mind of the one who hears the Gospel is what brings someone to new life.
Thus, if we want to celebrate more baptisms we must celebrate the power of the Gospel and proclaim that power as often as possible.
We must proclaim it to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and those we come in contact with.
The more we proclaim the Gospel the more we will see God gather His children together from the 4 corners of this world to the 4 corners community.
Then we will get to fill up the baptismal and give God all praise and glory as we invite another believe into our community.
One of my greatest hopes for the future of Confessors of Christ Church that we would not only be captivated by God and captivated by Scriptures,
But we would also be captivated by the power of the Gospel to declare it to our area.
The more we do so, the more often we will be seeing baptisms.
Now, perhaps you have heard today’s message.
You have put your God given faith upon the only one worthy of this faith, and that is Jesus.
You trust in Jesus not only for this life, but for the next as well, to forgive you of your sins and to grant you His righteousness.
If you have done so, and have not been baptized yet, then I encourage you to step out in the faith that God has granted you and give us the opportunity to celebrate this incredible sacrament together.
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
If there is someone here today that believes but has not been baptized, please do not be ashamed, but give us the opportunity to celebrate God’s work in your life.
All you have to do is reach out to Brad or myself and we will sit down and go over it and schedule a date.
I cannot wait to be able to gather the saints together in this way again.
May God grant this to us, soon.
Amen? Let us pray.
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
As we enter our time of communion we are reminded this was instituted by Jesus the same night he was betrayed. It is to be observed in his churches to the end of the age as a perpetual remembrance and display of the sacrifice of himself in his death. It is given for the confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits of Christ’s death, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, and their further engagement in and to all the duties of a believer. Communion is to be a bond and pledge of their communion with Christ and each other.
So, we come together to remember, to declare, and to embrace Christ. To be spiritually nourished by the work of Christ, and join together as a body of believers to proclaim Christ.