Session 6 - Water Baptism
Christian Theology • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The topic of water baptism is throughout the Bible but there is no one verse that explains everything about it especially with regard to our salvation. When it is unclear or gaps it is human nature to try and fill in the blanks. Debates have raged for years over this subject and separated Christians over these questions.
1. John’s Baptism
1. John’s Baptism
How is the baptism of John related to Christian water baptism is an often asked question. The first instance of water baptism comes with John the Baptist. It was a baptism of repentance and specifically targeted for the people of Israel to help them receive the message of their long awaited Messiah.
Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
(When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
The baptism of John was a powerful tool that God used to prepare the hearts of the people of Israel to be able to hear and receive the message. The question is asked then why Jesus had to receive the baptism of John when He had no sin from which to repent?
Jesus never explains why He was being baptised. The best reason for this is found in a prophecy:-
Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
The Messiah would be counted along with every day sinners, even though He had no sin.
2. What is Water Baptism?
2. What is Water Baptism?
There are passages that tell us about “Baptism” or “Baptise” in the Greek it means “to dip or immerse”.
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.
It is not always about water baptism as it is a picture of something deeper. We have all been immersed in Jesus into His death so that we can be resurrected into new life. It is not about water baptism here. Water baptism is a picture of this that has happened to the believer who comes to Jesus in faih.
3. Is Water Baptism Required for Salvation?
3. Is Water Baptism Required for Salvation?
This is the elephant in the room. There are Bible verses that have been used to say that baptisimal regeneration is required to be saved.
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.
There are even more passage that make no association between water baptism and salvation.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Why would the Apostle Paul leave water baptism out if it was an essential requirement for salvation?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
It is important to not take indiidual verses and look at them all together as God intends us to do.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Our salvation is only the result of faith. Water baptism is bet understood as a picture of our immersion into Christ. We are also not saved by taking communion. It is also like water baptism. It is a picture of what Christ has done. W should not elevate the picture above the reality!
4. Who Should be Baptised in Water?
4. Who Should be Baptised in Water?
Jesus told us who should be baptised. We are to make disciples and then baptise them.
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,
5. What about Baptising Infants?
5. What about Baptising Infants?
The Bible says nothing about baptising babies. The practice grew from an unhealthy view that baptism was essential for salvation. If the child died before the age of accountability it would save them. Others thought it was a seal until they became adults. Some may still do it simply because of tradition.
6. Are there Specific Words tat should be Spoken?
6. Are there Specific Words tat should be Spoken?
These passages give two different formulas. The truth is that there is no set formula. It is in the authority that God has given us as Christians.
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,
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.
