THE KINGDOM OF GOD (5)

BAPTISM

John 3:5 (ESV)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Romans 6:4 (ESV)

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.

WHAT IS BAPTISM?

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.

ACCORDING TO JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES:

THERE IS A SAVING GRACE GIVEN THROUGH BAPTISM

“THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS”

BAPTISM IS A COMMANDMENT, NOT AN OPTION

Mark 16:16 (ESV)

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

ACCORDING TO JESUS:

BAPTISM IS THE ENTRY WAY INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

John 3:5 (ESV)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:5–6 (MSG)

Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.

BAPTISM IDENTIFIES US AS A CHURCH

Romans 6:3–4 (ESV)

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.