Baptism (Part 1)

Today we launch a 4-part sermon series titled, “Portraits of the Gospel in Baptism and Communion.”

EFCA SOF: Article 7, The Church

The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

What does the New Testament has to say about baptism?

Today we will look at key Bible passages in the Gospels and The Book of Acts to see what is has to say about baptism.

Next week, we we will look at the Epistles (NT Letters) to see what they have to say about baptism.

The Gospels

Matthew 28:18-20. This passage takes place at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem after the resurrection and right before Jesus ascends into heaven.

“18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

The central command is “make disciples.” AKA, The Great Commission.

There are three participles that shows us how we carry out the command to make disciples:

By going. Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

By baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

By teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded.

Something to important to know is that the word baptism is a transliteration of the Greek baptizo.

βαπτίζω (baptizō). vb. to dip in or under water; to immerse.

John the Baptist baptized by immersion. John 3:23 “John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized”

The Lord Jesus himself was baptized by immersion. Matthew 3:16 “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water.

The gospel of Mark says that Jesus “came up out of the water.” (Mk 1:10) The language used throughout the gospel writings imply baptism by immersion.

The Book of Acts

Luke, the doctor, wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

The book of Acts offers a description of how the early church practiced baptism.

You will see a pattern:

Someone shares the message of the gospel with people.

People hear the message of the gospel.

People repent and believe the message of the gospel.

People are baptized as a response to the message of the gospel.

In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter preaches the message of the gospel to a crowd on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.

Luke writes in Acts 2:37–38, 41 “37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 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. 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

In Acts 8, Philip the deacon, preaches the message of the gospel in Samaria

Acts 8:12–13 “12 But when [the Samaritans] believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip.”

After this, Philip meets one on one with an Ethiopian who is also a court official for the Queen of Ethiopia.

Acts 8:35–39 “35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 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?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 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.”

Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch waited until there was a body of water along the road.

As in the case of Jesus, this baptism occurred when Philip and the eunuch went down into a body of water, and after the baptism they came up out of that body of water.

Notice the joy.

Paul’s conversion story: Acts 9:18 “And immediately something like scales fell from [Paul’s] eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”

Later in the book of Acts, Paul shares his testimony before a crowd in Jerusalem:

Acts 22:16 “[Ananias said to Paul], And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”

In both passages you see the Paul the Apostle being baptized after coming to saving faith in Jesus.

In Acts 10 Peter preaches to a Gentile group saying, “everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sin.”

The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

Acts 10:47–48 “47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”

We find two conversion stories in the city of Philippi:

Acts 16:14–15 “14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”

Later in the same chapter, Paul and Silas are put in prison. They are accused of disturbing the city. A miracle takes places in jail: a great earthquake takes place, the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Acts 16:30–33 “30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.”

The following verse (34), tell us that the jailer “rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

Those who believed were baptized.

Paul preaches the gospel at Corinth.

Acts 18:8 “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”

We see find one final story in Acts 19 (not in your bulletin insert). This story takes place in Ephesus.

Acts 19:3–5 “3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 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.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Main Take Aways

Baptism is commanded by the Lord Jesus

Baptism is not an optional add-on to following Jesus. Baptism is an essential part of discipleship because in baptism you are publicly declaring, “I am all-in for Jesus.”

Baptism is not pastor Hector’s idea or even the Apostles’ idea. Baptism was ordained by Jesus the King himself who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. Thus we make disciples of all nations.

Baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Jesus

Baptism is for everyone who has repented and believed the gospel.

Those who were baptized were men and women who believed the message of the gospel.

Those who are baptized in the book of Acts are not infants, but people who are of age to believe and be baptized.

Thus it’s called, “believer’s baptism”

“We believe that baptism should be reserved for believers because it preserves the testimony of the gospel by showing that only those who have repented and believed belong to the church. Only those who have exercised faith are justified. Hence, only those who have trusted in Christ should be baptized. Restricting baptism to believers only, therefore, preserves the pure witness of the gospel.” Thomas Schreiner, Believer’s Baptism: A Sign of the New Covenant in Christ

Baptism is to be practiced by immersion

The evidence in the New Testament is that John the Baptist and the Apostles baptized people by immersion. That is, they would place people completely under the water and then brought back up again. Baptism by definition means immersion.

John Baptized in a place where there was plenty of water. You don’t need much water to sprinkle someone.

Philipp and the the Ethiopian Eunuch waited until there was a body of water along the road. The description of his baptism was by immersion (down into the water and up out of the water).

There is another reason why baptism by immersion was practiced. It’s a picture of the gospel story. It depicts Jesus’ death and resurrection (next week).

There are many of you who have been baptized by immersion as a believer even though you were baptized as a baby. That’s because you came under the conviction that baptism is for those who are able to make a personal profession of faith as seen in the NT.

Perhaps there are some here who don’t want to offend your parents who baptized you as an infant. While we ought to be thankful for parents who wanted a spiritual influence for our lives, we must also follow what is clearly taught in Scripture.

Now you know what why don’t baptize babies at our church. We simply don’t see it in Scripture.

Though baptism is not the means of salvation, it confirms the believers in their faith.

Let it be clear that we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

“There is the blessing of God’s favor that comes with all obedience, as well as the joy that comes through public profession of one’s faith, and the reassurance of having a clear physical picture of dying and rising with Christ and of washing away sins. Certainly the Lord gave us baptism to strengthen and encourage our faith—and it should do so for everyone who is baptized and for every believer who witnesses a baptism.” Wayne Grudem

The Ethiopian Eunuch after believing the message of the gospel and being baptized, he went back home rejoicing.

The Philippian jailer also experienced joy along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Baptism is a public act of confessing Jesus as my Savior.

Have you made the decision to be baptized? No one can make the decision for you.

Next Steps: Be baptized.

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