Baptism (2)

Review:

We started our series: “Fundamentals of the Faith.”

We talked about the Gospel (Good News).

The Gospel is an announcement

The Gospel is gift - righteousness

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”

Today: Subject of Baptism

My Story: My salvation

Baptism

Set-Up:

Churches in our denomination observe to ordinances (ordained by Christ to be practiced) in the church… Communion & Baptism

These are two ordinances we practice and observe

Baptism is a big deal because it is what makes us Baptist …. We are New Hope Baptist… We are Southern Baptist…. We baptize our people and our chicken.

All this may leave some with questions and even disagreements…

Understand some things in regards to baptism:

(1) There are godly people who disagree on the modes of baptism & who can be baptized

(2) This debate has gone back for centuries

As we begin today…Lets answer some fundamental questions about baptism.

I. What is Baptism?

The Mode: Baptism by Immersion

This is a great place to start

We get the word “baptizo” from the Greek. It is seen in the NT

The word “baptizo” means “to plunge, dip, immerse.”

ILL: So if tell you to baptize that chicken….You plunging it in the grease

When we do baptism here… We are dipping, plunging, immersing people under the water.

This is the MODE of Baptism in which we believe and practice… We would say, “Baptism by Immersion.”

There are other denominations that believe in different Modes:

Sprinkling - Sprinkling water on someone

Pouring (affusion)

Something interesting about these… The greek language has words for sprinkle & pour that never used of baptism.

What is Baptism though? What are you doing when you are getting baptized?

Believers Baptism is outward expression of an inward change

Baptism is you letting the local congregation that you believe the Gospel and Identify with Christ

You are re-enacting/telling the story of what Christ did for you…. This is why it is meant to do be done in a local church context…in front of people

Notice what Paul says

Read: Romans 6:3–4

This is why when we go through baptism here we will say… Buried in the likeness of His death, raised to walk in newness of life.

Baptism is a picture of what Christ did… His death and resurrection.

It is also a picture of the old us going down and the new us coming up.

It is played out in front of people and is also a picture of the cross

Baptist Faith & Message 2000 defined Baptism as, “Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.

II. Why is Baptism Important?

All of this being discussed…Why is this so important?

Baptism is a symbolic act of obedience

Baptism the first step of obedience after salvation

When we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put our faith in him…We are coming to publicly tell people about who we belong to and who we follow. Public telling of an inward change

Baptism doesn't save you it is an action… Some denominations believe in baptismal regeneration (We must be carful to baptise quickly)

Ex: Wedding Ring example.

After salvation we are to be baptized

2. Baptism was practiced in the Bible

Jesus was baptized

Matthew 3:13–17 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

John was baptizing people in water … Baptism of repentance to prepare people for the Messiah

Jesus is coming to be baptized by John …. It is validating John’s ministry

Jesus doesn’t need to be baptized for repentance

John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Jesus is surrendering and identifying with sinners

Notice… Before Jesus ever does anything in ministry what does he do first? Baptized!

Then he consented.

John knew who his cousin was…. Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world

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; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””

Jesus gives us an example that we should follow

Jesus’ Disciples baptized people

John 4:1–2 “Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),”

People who believed the Gospel where baptized

Acts 2:37–38 “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?” 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.”

Acts 2:41 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

Acts 9:18 “And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”

3. Baptism is commanded in the Bible

Matthew 28:19–20 “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.””

III. Who should be Baptized?

Believers… A person who believes the Gospel and puts their trust in Jesus

Wayne Grudem, “Baptism is appropriately administered only to those who give a believable profession of faith in Jesus Christ.”

Ex: The Ring is symbolic but If I never put it on…You may question the love

The Big Question: Have you been baptized? Do you need to be baptized? DO you need to declare that Jesus is savior and Lord?