The Baptism of Christ

Introduction

Christ Before Bethlehem - pt.1-6

I. Christ, the Founder

II. Christ Foreordained

I. Salvation Through Faith in Christ

The Constant Throughout the Bible (Heb. 11)

III. Christ Foreshadowed

Explicit Connections: (i.e. Jacob’s Ladder, Bread from Heaven, The Rock in the Wilderness, The Passover Lamb, Brazen Serpent, Tabernacle)

Implicit Connections: (i.e. the Ark of Naoh, the Ram for Isaac, Boaz)

IV. Christ Foretold

Prophesies concerning Christ are Logistically & Statistically Impossible

V. Christ Foreseen

Pre-Incarnate Appearances of Christ (Christophanies- i.e. Jesus in the Burning Bush, Fiery Furnace, the Wilderness - Hagar, Wrestling Jacob, Jesus with Abraham)

The Incarnate Christ - pt.1-2

I. The Mother: Was Sanctified, but not Sinless; was an Instrument, not an Intercessor; was to Be Respected, not Revered

II. The Method: Christ Regains His Divinity; but Gains Humanity

III. The Motivation: To be Qualified, to be Crucified, to Cleanse Our Sins, Driven by Compassion

Learning from a 12 Year Old

I. His Foundation: They were Faithful (v41-43); They had Faults (v48)

II. His Formation: His Immaturity; His Impulses; His Inquisitiveness (v46)

III. His Focus: On His Father’s House (v46); About His Father’s Business (v49)

The Jesus We Know Not

I. The Person of Character

What we Don’t Know; The Life of Jesus from 12-30; What we Do Know; Jesus was Sinless

II. Precepts that Determine Character

Our Influence; Our Instruction; Our Idleness; Our Impulse Control; Our Integrity

III. The Principle

Guard your Influences; Gain Instruction; Be Immersed in the Things of God; Control your Impulses; You will Live a Life of Integrity

Today we're probably going to do a little less preaching and a little more teaching on the next instance in the life of Christ and that is His baptism.

I'll have you know that I didn't plan to have the baptism service this day in which I would reach this point in the life and ministry of Christ at his baptism but that's just the way God works.

And so today we're going to be examining the topic of water baptism.

The first thing we must do is look at the significance of baptism.

I. The Significance of Baptism

What it Is

Of all the doctrines that are in dispute today between people and denominations, one of the top is the doctrine of baptism.

So briefly we're going to speak about what it is and then what it is not.

It’s a Testimony of Faith in Christ

When someone submits to believers' baptism, they are testifying that they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul said: Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

He told Timothy: 2 Timothy 1:8 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”

It's amazing to me how there are a multitude of people that believe something but they are ashamed to say it.

(Ill.) As you know, As I'm running for this office, I am around politicians more and one thing I've noticed is that many of them believe certain things but they are afraid to voice them because they don't want to have to defend them.

Unfortunately that's the way it is with many who believe in Christ. They don't want to say it too loud because the more people know, the more their actions will be analyzed and they might have to defend themselves and their faith in Jesus.

When someone submits to believers' baptism, they are acknowledging to all that witness it that they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

It's a testimony of faith in Christ.

It’s an Identification with Christ

We see here at the beginning of Jesus's ministry. He was baptized by John in the Jordan. Have you ever considered why? Here are a few of the reasons (as we’ll get to others later).

To give us an example

Given that Christ has given us this example, we are not just saying that we have faith in Christ but that we want to be like Christ.

To signify the beginning of His ministry

The first thing that we see Jesus do is submit to water baptism.

The purpose of Baptism is not mystical or magical - It is simply an outward profession of an inward confession. That this person has placed their faith in Jesus Christ and is identifying themselves with Him as well.

So it's important in that respect; however there are many that would make baptism something in which it is not.

This is what it is, now let’s consider what it isn’t

What it Isn’t

Baptism is NOT a Part of Salvation

There are a couple of debatable verses that those that believe baptism is necessary for salvation will use. I say debatable because while I can give a different explanation for those verses, you can make them sound like they are.

But if we set those verses aside, it's easy, at least for me, to understand that when considering the full context of Scripture, baptism cannot be part of salvation. I will share a few of those with you today.

Salvation is by Grace, not Works

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Grace and Works are antithetical one to the other.

Grace (def) “Unmerited Favor” - something given, not earned

Works (def) “Labor exerted as means to an end”

If I have to make my way to a watering hole and have another man Dunk me under the water. Let me ask you, is that the grace of God or a work of man?

More could be said but we'll leave it there. Other than to say: Salvation is either by grace or works. It cannot be both. Once you add works then it ceases to be by grace.

So just to be clear about what Salvation is let’s turn to the very familiar John 3.

It is a new birth: Joh. 3:3.

It’s different from a physical birth: Joh. 3:4-7.

There’s not an outward appearance of it: Joh. 3:8 (If baptism were the key point of salvation, then this would not be true.

Jesus speaks of how to experience the new birth: Joh. 3:14-18.

Water baptism wasn’t the focus of ministry of Christ or Paul

John 4:1–2 “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)”

If baptism was necessary for salvation why didn't Jesus himself participate in it?

Paul said: 1 Corinthians 1:12–16 “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.”

Paul literally says here, "I thank God that I baptized none of you." You'd think that if baptism was necessary for salvation, that Paul would want to do that but yet he is testifying that he's thankful that he didn't, save a few.

But one thing that's really important is what we see in the next verse.

It’s not considered part of the Gospel by Paul

1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

Do you see that “but to preach the gospel?” In other words he creates a separation between baptism and the gospel.

Like I said I understand, by the wording of a few verses, how someone could read it and make it sound like baptism is a part of salvation but you cannot take a few verses that can be explained another way to override such a mountain of evidence to the contrary.

Baptism is not a part of salvation.

Water Cannot Wash Away Sins

(Ill.) Billy Sunday was once asked what was the point in revivals because they never lasted. His response was, "Well neither does a bath but it's good to have one every now and then."

My point is, water may be able to wash dirt off but it cannot wash away sin.

Water can only wash the surface but sin doesn't reside upon the surface. It must go much deeper than that.

Thankfully the Bible does tell us what can wash away our sin. Yet it's not water but the blood of Christ!

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Revelation 1:5 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

Revelation 7:14 “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Water doesn't have that kind of power but the blood of Jesus does!

Water cannot wash away sin.

Exclusive to Water

Lastly baptism is not exclusive to water.

Many people get confused about baptism and its role because they can constantly equate water when a baptism is spoken of. (Just like repentance and sin)

But even in our text, we see another baptism mentioned that often gets overlooked (except by the holiness crowd). Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

Here is a short list of Baptisms mentioned in Scripture:

Historical / Transitional

John’s baptism (Repentance)

Christian Experience

Believers baptism

Holy Spirit baptism

Figurative / Symbolic Uses

Baptism of fire (judgment)

Baptism into Moses

Baptism into Christ (spiritual union)

Baptism of suffering

So a lot of the errors concerning baptism are often because they were applying a different type of baptism unto water baptism.

The Significance of Baptism

II. The Symbolism in Baptism

The Death, Burial and Resurrection

Read (Rom. 6:1-4-a)

When we consider baptism, it is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection.

Therefore it is Done by Immersion

When considering the baptism of Jesus it says: ‘went up straightway out of the water’.

Jesus wasn’t sprinkled by John - He was immersed.

It's important to understand why there are sprinkling baptisms today.

It's derived from the sprinkling of children, which is from the false doctrine that baptism saves, which began with the Catholic church around the 3rd century. It is the false understanding that baptism is what saves, rather than belief.

It also symbolizes that a change has taken place.

A Change has Taken Place:

(Read Rom. 6:4-7)

The Surrendering of the Flesh

The candidate for baptism is testifying that they are giving up the old man for the old man is dead. They are surrendering their flesh in the wants and the wills thereof.

And they are rising to new life.

Rising to New Life

A problem with the contemporary church is that many have gone through the motions of baptism but they have not applied the principles of baptism to their hearts and lives.

They have not surrendered the flesh and the wills thereof.

They have not risen to new life.

But this is the picture that Jesus showed us and Paul explained to us.

Submission to the Will of God

Lastly baptism also symbolizes that the baptism candidate is submitting to the will of the Lord for their life.

It symbolizes the submission to the will of God.

The Significance of Baptism; The Symbolism of Baptism

III. The Special Nature of Christ’s

Lastly I want to examine some of the differences that we see in Jesus' baptism versus those we experience today.

Jesus’ was special and there never will be another one quite like His.

It Featured a Forerunner

Prior to the Baptism of Jesus we see that John came before to prepare the hearts of the people.

Matthew 3:1–2 “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Do you know what he was saying: “Get ready y’all because the King is coming!”

Do you know what we need to be saying in church? “Get ready y’all because the King is coming back!”

John came in the Spirit of Elijah to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus.

It Featured a Forerunner

It Foreshadowed His Future

Here it is at the onset of Jesus' ministry. Over the next three and a half years He would do great, mighty and miraculous things. We would see Him:

Turn water into wine

Touch blinded eyes and make them see

Loose the tongues of those who were dumb

Make the lame walk

Bring the dead to life

But about 3.5 years from His water baptism, He’d face another baptism - one He spoke about: Mark 10:38–39 “But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:”

He knew that He was going to face death, then He’d be buried but 3 days later, He was going to Rise to new life!

There on that fateful day, surely it was on the Saviour’s mind when He was going in the water that He would soon go down to the grave to rescue men from their sins.

Jesus' baptism foreshadowed his future of dying, being buried, and his resurrection.

It Featured the Fullness of God

While the Trinity is mentioned several times throughout Scripture - as testified in: 1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” - this is the only time where we see all three persons of the Trinity represented distinctly.

That fact alone makes it a very special occurrence.

Conclusion