Why Get Baptized?

INTRO:

Tonight, we continuing on in our WHY? series!

In this series, we’ve been taking a look at different commonly asked questions about the Christian faith, and finding out the answers together! Who remembers what we talked about last week? It was stuff that is foundational for our faith as Christians.

Yes! “Why did Jesus have to die?”

Who remembers the answer to that question?

Jesus died because you are and I are guilty, and we can’t pay our debt on our own.

Our question tonight is semi-related to our question from last week.

After we place our faith in Jesus and His death for us on the cross, we are saved!

But after we receive salvation, what does Scripture tell us to do? Starts with a B…

Baptism!

Our question tonight is, “Why get baptized?”

Baptism is something that sometimes sits on the back-burner for some Christians.

We know that we say some stuff, we get dunked under water for a second, and then we come back up and everyone claps.

But what really IS baptism? Why do we practice it as Christians? What’s the point?

SHOULD we even get baptized?

Hint: the answer is absolutely.

Purpose Statement:

We should get baptized because through it, we are telling the world that we stand with Jesus!

Baptism is a symbolic connection to Christ. When we are baptized, we are joining Him in His death on the cross, AND in His victorious rise from the grave.

Baptism is also a picture of salvation! As we are baptized, we symbolically die to our old, sinful selves, and we are raised into new life as a children of God!

MAP: 

And lastly, baptism must be lived out. As we are brought into new life through Jesus, we have to live as if we truly are a new creation! We can’t stay stuck in our old, sinful ways.

TEXT. Romans 6:1-14

We’ll be studying Paul’s words on baptism in Romans 6:1-14.

If you’ve got a Bible, go ahead and turn there now. If you don’t…

As you guys get your Bibles and flip to Romans 6, I’m going to give us some background and context on baptism.

Among the first-century Jewish people, baptism was more of a ceremonial act, one of cleansing.

They also baptized Gentiles who converted to the Jewish faith.

Although these both involved water, neither of them were TRUE baptisms.

John the Baptist, who got his name for baptizing people for repentance, spoke about a baptism by the Spirit (this happened at Pentecost) and of a baptism by fire (referring to future judgment).

Today, when someone chooses to follow Christ, they are born again, receive the Holy Spirit, and are baptized into the body of believers, the church.

Please stand for the reading of God’s Word. [READ.]

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

ONE: Baptism is a symbolic connection to Christ v.1-4

Just before our passage here, Paul writes about the sin of Adam.

You guys remember who Adam is, right? Talked about him a bit last week.

Did Adam live a perfect life? No! Adam sinned.

And Paul writes that through Adam’s one act of sin all man was covered by death.

All man became sinful, and our sinful natures are deserving of death.

But then Paul writes that through Jesus’ ONE act of righteousness, ALL man might be considered righteous.

He makes makes a comparison between Jesus and Adam. Just as one sinful act caused sin and death to multiply, Jesus’ righteous act causes grace and forgiveness to multiply and explode.

And then verse 1 comes into play: “What should we say then? Should we continue to sin so that grace may multiply?”

Or, in other words, “is this a free license to do whatever I want? Since I’ve placed my faith in Christ, am I free to sin so that I give God’s grace a chance to REALLY shine??”

What do you think, students? Is that what we should do since we’ve been forgiven?

Verse 2 Paul says, “ABSOLUTELY NOT! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

If you have TRULY placed your faith in Christ (

“Or are you unaware that that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”

Pt. Baptism is a public declaration of what is happening inside a person’s heart. It is a statement to the world, saying “My heart belongs to Jesus!”

But, as great as baptism is, it’s important to remember one thing.

Baptism is NOT what saves us. Faith in Jesus is. Take a look at what Ephesians 2 says.

Vs. Ephesians 2:8-9

Illus.

Transition:

TWO: Baptism is a picture of salvation v. 4-11

Pt. In baptism, we join Jesus in His death AND His resurrection to new life!

Vs.

Illus.

Transition:

THREE: Baptism must be lived out v.12-14

Pt. Become God’s “instrument for righteousness” as He leads you further into His Kingdom on earth!

Vs.

Illus.

Transition:

CONC:

Mark of a Disciple: Disciples of Christ identify with Jesus through baptism.

APPL:

IMPL: 

Let’s Pray