Baptism

Intro

Talked about “ekklesia” last time

The word “church” in the NT, is Greek word “ekklesia”

Matthew 16:16–18 “16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Community or assembly of people who share a particular bond

Bond is the confession of faith in Christ

“Ekklesia” is not a building, a place, a time, an event, or even a legal entity (like a non-profit)

“Ekklesia” is a 24/7 community of people that live out their faith in Jesus in daily life

Part of living out being the “ekklesia” or being the church, is we gather together to encourage, pray, fellowship, learn, teach, love, and worship with each other

Foster a community

“Ekklesia” is a assembly of people who share this faith bond; who are unashamed and proclaim Jesus as Lord

Today we’re going to talk about a key step of proclaiming that faith and being a part in this church community - Baptism

Definition/Origins

Who has heard term “baptism”?

Wide variety of understandings and practices

Base definition

Greek words “bapto” or “baptizo” - which means to dip, or immerse, usually in reference to water

Jewish traditions and rituals for cleansing, washing

Terms ṭābal = “to dip”, or rāḥaṣ = “wash”

Terms used to signify both ritual purity and physical cleansing

Grounded in the concept that God was holy (set apart from) and entering His presence was not something taken lightly

The Biblical law in the Old Testament required washing for different situations where the people would either come into contact with something considered “unclean” or in preparation to go into a “holy” space or engage with a “sacred” ritual

For example

Purification After Touching a Corpse: Those who had come into contact with a dead body were considered unclean and needed to be cleansed with water, often including the use of water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer (Numbers 19:11-13).

Purification After Childbirth: After giving birth, a woman was considered unclean and underwent a period of waiting, followed by ritual washing and presenting offerings (Leviticus 12:1-8).

Cleansing of Leprosy (Skin Diseases): Both the person with a skin disease (e.g., leprosy) and their clothing were to be washed as part of the cleansing process after the healing, with additional sacrifices required (Leviticus 14:1-32).

Purification for Bodily Discharges: Individuals with bodily discharges (e.g., menstrual or seminal discharges) were required to wash themselves and their clothing and remain unclean until evening (Leviticus 15:1-33).

Cleansing for Priests: Priests underwent ritual washings before entering the tabernacle to serve and before offering sacrifices. This included washing hands and feet and, in some instances, full-body immersion (Exodus 30:17-21).

High Priest’s Atonement Ritual on Yom Kippur: On the Day of Atonement, the high priest was to wash his body and put on holy garments before entering the Most Holy Place and conducting the atoning rituals (Leviticus 16:4, 24).

Consecration of Priests: As part of their ordination, priests underwent full-body washing as a ritual of purification, followed by anointing with oil and sacrifices (Leviticus 8:6).

Cleansing of Offerings and Objects: Ritual objects, such as sacrificial animals and altar instruments, were washed and purified, especially in cases where they became defiled (Leviticus 6:27-28; Leviticus 8:30).

Purification for Camp and Sacred Spaces: People were instructed to wash themselves and sometimes their clothing before returning to the camp after certain situations, like military engagement, to maintain the ritual cleanliness of the community and the sacred space (Numbers 31:19-24)

There was also the “mikveh” - which means the gathering of waters, but used to refer to a pool for the rituals of immersion and washings

The mikveh traditionally must contain at least 200 gallons of water from a natural source such as rain, springs, or glaciers

It contained seven steps, symbolizing the six days of creation and the Sabbath day

It was used to maintain ritual purity, allow for convenient home immersion for priests and rich people, and ensure food purification for the temple

So this idea of washing, cleansing for purification or initiation was an established idea and practice in the Old Testament

Fast forward to the New Testament

The act of baptism in the New Testament turns out to be something VERY different than the ritualistic washings in the Jewish tradition

We first read about baptism in the NT through - John the Baptist

"John the Baptist" was not his full "real" name in the way we think of names today, but rather a designation to highlight his role in baptizing people as a call to repentance.

His given name was John (in Hebrew, Yochanan or יוֹחָנָן), meaning "Yahweh is gracious."

This name was divinely chosen, as revealed by the angel Gabriel to his father, Zechariah, who was instructed to name his son John (Luke 1:13).

But the title "the Baptist" comes from the Greek word ho baptistēs (ὁ βαπτιστής), meaning "the one who baptizes."

So you could even interpret his name to be John the Baptizer

This title distinguished him from other men named John and emphasized his unique ministry of baptizing people in the Jordan River as a public expression of repentance.

John’s name and title together—John the Baptist or Baptizer—became iconic in early Christian tradition, recognizing him as a significant prophetic figure who prepared the way for Jesus through his call for spiritual renewal and repentance.

Matthew 3:11 “11 “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 John was baptizing people in the Jordan River, immersing them in water

We read he was doing so for two reasons

1. For people to repent (or turn away from) their sins and be washed clean and renewed

2. To prepare the Way for the coming of the Messiah

Remember that the Jews had many reasons for washings or cleansings; and they were all in preparation for a holy ritual or to be washed or cleansed after interacting with something “unclean”

But the way John the Baptist was doing it, wasn’t how the prescribed Jewish rituals were doing it

This was something new, and what he was proclaiming about the coming Messiah was also something very unique

He was proclaiming that he baptizes with water, but there is someone coming that will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire....

Holy Spirit and fire signifies judgment, mercy, purification, renewal, and initiation

Then we read that Jesus Himself, comes to John to be baptized

Matthew 3:13–17 “13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. <insert - Galilee to the Jordan where He was baptized is about 60 to 70 miles.... so several days journey on foot. Emphasizes that it wasn’t a casual trip, but a purposeful journey> 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””

This monumental event of Jesus being baptized is one of the few times we read in the Scriptures where we see the Trinity, the 3 expressions of the ONE God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - in one place at the same time

Jesus, the Son; Father, speaking in heaven; The Holy Spirit descending like a dove

<So we see that baptism is this powerful and significant act that marks a few things - repentance, a washing, a renewal, a cleansing, and an act of obedience>

Meaning

So now after Jesus’ ministry, His death, burial, and resurrection - this act of baptism now has taken on new meaning

At its core, it still is an act of repentance, a washing/cleansing for renewal, but this renewal now is in the name of Jesus Christ

So what does that mean?

That means that it NOW symbolizes identity with Christ

Identity with His death, burial, and resurrection

Galatians 3:27–29 “27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Romans 6:1–11 “1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Unlike Jewish traditions, where washings and cleansings had overtones of ritual purity; Baptism in the New Testament, or baptism in the name of Jesus, has overtones of moral purity

Meaning its not the ritual that cleanses us, its reason you’re doing it that cleanses

The confession of sin, repentance, and ultimately faith in Jesus that does the cleansing

Before you go down into the water, you confess your sins

When you go down into the water, it symbolizes and identifies with the death of Jesus, where the consequence of sin was taken upon Him on the cross

Being immersed in the water symbolizes being buried in the tomb

Then coming up out of the water symbolizes the resurrection - the renewal of one’s self through the power of God; being raised up and washed clean as a new creation in Christ

Putting your ‘old self’ to death, which is the wage of sin, and coming up to put on your ‘new self’, which is washed clean, forgiven, and walks with a newness in Christ

This not only is a symbolic act of faith to identify with Jesus; it also is a proclamation of faith to everyone in attendance

That you now proclaim faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior

Application

So what does this mean for us?

For us, it is a step of obedience, step of faith, a step of proclamation

It is a turning point in our life where we say, “I BELIEVE in Jesus, and now I want to WALK with Him”

It is an intentional act of faith that has power in symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; and that you now identify with Christ

Its a renewal, a rebirth

Well, today we have a couple of people willing to take this step of obedience and be baptized!

Process - so we’re all going to head over to the wharf and we’re going to “immerse” or baptize those willing, and fulfill this beautiful, significant step in your journey and walk with Christ

And I will add, if there is anyone here that is feeling led to be baptized today - if there is a prompting in you where the Holy Spirit is telling you that this is something you should do today; you are also welcome to participate!

That’s why I wanted to give this message on baptism today - so you all now have an understanding of what it means, and if you feel led and want to be baptized today, its a great day to be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Father, and Holy Spirit

Just let me know

Ok let’s pray, then head on over to the wharf

Just note, we’re going to go over there, then come back and eat and fellowship and celebrate!

Pray