Lighthouse Foundations (2)

Session Two

Baptism

WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

1. To follow the example set by Christ .

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)

2. Because Christ commanded it.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20)

3. It demonstrates that I really am a Christ-follower .

“…many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.” (Acts 18:8)

Baptism is the next step of obedience that every believer should take!

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

1. It pictures Christ’s death , burial and resurrection.

“…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, …He was buried, …that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) ”…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him.” (Colossians 2:12)

2. It pictures my new life in Christ.

“Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4)

Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already believe.

Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that.

BAPTISM IS LIKE A…

Wedding ring - It’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart. Wearing a wedding ring does not make you married, but does indicate that you are. Baptism does not save you, but it does identify you as being saved.

WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…” (Matthew 3:16)

2. Every baptism in the New Testament was by immersion.

“…and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8:38-39)

3. The word baptize means “to go under water.” The Greek word baptizo means “to immerse or dip under water.”

4. It best symbolizes a burial and resurrection .

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Every person who has believed the Gospel and surrendered to Christ.

” So then, those who had received his word were baptized …” (Acts 2:41)

“Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized…” (Acts 8:13)

At Lighthouse Baptist, it is a membership requirement that every member must have been baptized the way Jesus demonstrated.

WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED and SURRENDERED to CHRIST!

Acts 2:41 CSB

41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

Acts 8:35–38 CSB

35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture. 36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have received Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect”, you’ll never feel “good enough”!

THE LORD’S SUPPER

Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth. He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols (called “ordinances”) as reminders of His death.

The two ordinances are: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper.

The Lord’s Supper is an object lesson that represents a great spiritual truth for believers.

WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER? (1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26)

1. It is a simple act, not an elaborate ceremony.

“The Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread…” (verse 23)

2. It is a reminder.

“…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." (verse 24)

3. It is a symbol.

“In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (verse 25)

4. It is a statement of faith.

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.” (verse 26)

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE LORD’S SUPPER?

Only those who are already born - again .

“For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”

(I Corinthians 11:29)

We invite all born-again Christians to join in the Lord’s Supper, not just those who are members of our church.

HOW DO I PREPARE MYSELF FOR THE LORD’S SUPPER?

1 Corinthians 11:27–28 CSB

27 So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.

By Self-Examination

1 Corinthians 11:28 CSB

28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.

By Confessing My Sins

1 John 1:9 CSB

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

By Recommitting My Life

Romans 12:1 CSB

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

By Restoring Relationships

Matthew 5:23–24 CSB

23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

WHEN AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE OBSERVE THE LORD’S SUPPER?

Jesus never said when or how often believers should observe the Lord’s Supper. At Lighthouse Baptist Church, we usually observe the Lord’s Supper at Easter and Christmas.