Baptism Class

What is Baptism

Baptism is a public response to the gospel

Now there are some loaded words in there so lets unpack them

If it is a response to the Gospel what is the Gospel

Gospel is a greek word the Roman Empire used to publically announce a victory on the battlefield

The Christian Gospel is the announcement good news of the victory of Christ

That he came lived, died, resurrected, and ascended to the throne and will bodily come back to get us home

When you think of church, it is easy to think of stereotypical Religion.

In our modern world, religion is often seen as a set of moral guidelines -  advice on how to live in order to earn your way to God. Your role is simply to try your best to follow that advice.

That is not the Gospel.

“Religion is fundamentally advice. The gospel of Jesus Christ, begins and ends with news. These are two completely different things.” Tim Keller

•The Gospel is not good advice; it is good news!•The Gospel changes everything. It is the announcement that in Jesus the rescue mission to take back all sin has stolen has been accomplished. •The Gospel is the answer to the deepest questions we have and answers 2 questions.•What must we do to be saved •What hope is there for the world

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus is the Son of God, God the Son, who has come lived the life of obedience we should have lived, died the separated death from God we deserve, and has risen and ascended to take the throne as Lord.

Romans says we first respond to that as individuals

Romans 10:9

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 10

This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved

Baptism is the public affirmation that you have responded in faith to the Gospel

Any Questions about that?

Why Do We Do It This Way

Maybe you are like me and you were sprinkled as an infant so you are thinking why do i need to do it again this way

Thats a great question

In the bible that isn’t modeled that way

I was sprinkled but i still needed to respond to the Gospel

And in the bible baptism is always done AFTER a right response to the Gospel by someone of decision making age

Acts 8:26 is a great example

An Ethiopian official is asking great questions about the bible

Phillip explains to Him what he is reading is about Jesus and Phillip leads him to faith

What follows a right response to the Gospel

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 8

34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 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

it always follows repentance and belief symbolizing obedience, faith, spiritual renewal, and inclusion in the Christian community.

Look at the Great Commision in Matthew

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 28

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Preach the Gospel, then Baptize

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change

That is the biblical order we see

Any Questions about that ?

Why Do We Should Do It

There are 2 things Jesus gave the church

Communion or the Lords Supper and Baptism

Jesus did both and Paul affirms them

So Why Baptism?

1.We are commanded to do it. as we jsut read Jesus commands His followers to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20), making it an act of obedience.

2.Public Profession of Faith: It’s a visible declaration of one's commitment to Christ and identification with His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4) says

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead

3.Unity and Fellowship: Baptism connects believers to one another, affirming their shared faith and membership in the local and global church

4.Discipleship: It is an outward representation of a believer’s lifelong journey of following Christ and growing in faith.

Any Questions You Don’t Feel Were Answered?

Next Step

Meet With One of Us and Share Your Grace Story or Learn More About the Gospel

This needs done before Baptism’s on August 31st

A staff member will reach out to you to find a time to make this happen