Baptism

It is One of Two Ordinances of Christ

What is and ordinance?

It simply means that Christ commanded that we do it.

The Christ command that the Church continue to do two things until He returns. One of those things is Communion.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

As often as you do this you proclaim the Lords death till He comes.

The Word translated “Proclaim” here is the same Greek word that is translated preach in the New Testament The Lord’s table is a sermon. It is a dramatic display of the death of Christ every time we do it. And He tells us to do it until he returns.

So this is an ordinance of Christ.

The other ordinance of Christ which He commanded us to do is baptism.

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

That means it’s a special event where we call upon the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit to be there and to make this a true picture and representation of the death burial and resurrection of Christ.

We do this even to the end of the age. The Bible teaches that this age ends when Christ returns so until Christ returns we make disciples and we baptise them and we teach them.

Baptism Expresses Union with Christ in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection

Romans 6:3–4 NKJV

3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism like communion is a dramatic expression. It is a visual sermon which shows the death burial and resurrection of Christ. But even more it shows our identification with the death burial and resurrection of Christ.

Paul, in Rom 6 is teaching that the idea of continuing in sin for a Christians is counter to everything that it means to be a Christian.

He reminds us of what our baptism expressed. That our old man had died with Christ and was buried with Christ and that a new man was raised up with Christ to walk in newness of life not in the ways of the old man.

Paul in no way is teaching that baptism is the means of this identification only that it is an expression of it and that the picture of baptism reminds us to walk in newness of life. Paul makes it abundantly clear in Romans as well as his other writings that this identification with Christ is through faith and faith alone, as the the whole of the New Testament. We only have to consider the thief on the cross who repented to see this, as there was no way for him to be baptised and yet Christ assured him that he would be with Him in paradise. So it is a picture of our connection with Christ which brings us to the next point.

Baptism is Full Immersion

The word Baptise come from the Greek word Baptizo which means to fully immerse to get fully wet. Also from every New Testament example we find that baptism is done by dunking or immersing someone under the water.

One example would be the Ethiopian in Act 8:35-38

Acts 8:35–38 NKJV

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Sprinkling is not found in the New Testament. Most scholars agree on this and that sprinkling was something that was introduce much later probably because of lack of water and connivance.

However, sprinkling does not picture the death burial and resurrection as full immersion does.

Many denominations practice sprinkling and baby baptism. However, Biblical…

Baptism is an expression of faith

We saw with the Ethiopian that when he asked what hinders me from being baptised Philip answered “If you believe with all your heart you may”

Baptism shows our identification with Christ which was have through faith so without faith in Christ a baptism is empty.

Look in ……

Colossians 2:12 NKJV

12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Through faith

So today when we go down to the beach I will ask each one who is being baptised if they believe in Christ and know Him as their Lord and Saviour.

Baptism not only identifies and unites us with Christ

Baptism Unites Us With God’s People

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

So you don’t just baptise people and leave them. It must be followed with teaching them in the church which is God’s people.

Acts 2:37–42 NKJV

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1 John 1:5–7 NKJV

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Is Baptism important?

As is said in Acts 2 when they repented they were baptised. All 3000 of them. In fact I can only think of one person in the New Testament who was not baptised and that was the thief on the cross and he was prevented for obvious reasons. Baptism like communion doesn’t save you, only faith in Christ will save you. But if you have put your faith in Christ what should hinder you from showing that through baptism? Even Christ was baptised for our example so if we say we are a follower of Christ then we should follow Him in baptism.

So when we go to the beach today and baptise those that have asked to be baptised we will proclaim the gospel to the whole beach. If you know the Lord as your saviour and you have not yet been baptised then I would invite you to come and be baptised. if you do then you will show your identification with Christ and with His people and you will be a member of this Church.