Baptism
Notes
Transcript
Review:
Review:
Turn to John 14:15
Recently we studied fifteen Bible reasons why we believe in the eternal security of our salvation.
Jesus did all the work of salvation when He died on the cross. Therefore, our salvation does not rest in us; it rests entirely with Him.
Remember: we are learning this material so that we can teach others these principles.
Introduction
Introduction
Today we move on to the subject of baptism - another doctrine that is a dividing line between churches.
At first, you may be tempted to think, “Is it really that big a deal? Does it really matter whether a church practices baptism by sprinkling water, by pouring water, or by dunking in water?”
If you’re thinking that, I’m not offended. It’s a fair question to ask.
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Question: Does the mode of baptism matter, and if so, why?
Yes, it does matter! Here’s why:
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The questions of “how to baptize?” and “who to baptize?” are two questions that are answered together.
How a church decides to baptize someone in water largely answers the question of whom they will baptize in water.
From what I have observed:
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A church that believes in sprinkling or pouring baptism is a church that believes in infant baptism.
I don’t know of a church that practices immersion and infant baptism.
Our Baptist forefathers shed their blood and gave their lives for this doctrine because they refused to allow their children to be baptized in the state churches of Europe and of the early American colonies. This is a forgotten history among us, but it is not forgotten before God.
Key Bible Truths
Key Bible Truths
Read John 14:15
We practice baptism because of our Savior’s clear command that He gave in Matthew 28:19.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
If we love Him, we will obeying Him by being baptized.
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What is baptism?
It is an ordinance of the local church wherein a believer in Jesus Christ is immersed in water to symbolize their faith in Christ.
It is a step of identification
It is a commitment to follow Christ as one of His disciples*
*Baptism is usually the moment that Christians are persecuted or disowned by their families. To my knowledge, this is true across the religious spectrum - Judaism, Islam, the Amish, etc. When a person is baptized, that is the moment of public commitment to follow Jesus.
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Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Teach: make disciples
What does that look like?
Baptizing them and instructing them in the commandments of the Lord
That’s how you make disciples of the Lord - but a person has to be willing. Just like you cannot force a person to be saved, neither can you force them to be a disciple - a follower - of Jesus.
Application: At the Judgment Seat of Christ, there will be people whom Jesus saved but who refused to be His disciple. They wanted His salvation but they weren’t willing to take up their cross and follow Him. They will enter Heaven empty handed. Don’t be one of them!
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Is baptism for me?
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Question: who is baptism for? Every Christian
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Question: How do we know? Because Jesus commanded it
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Question: who is baptism not for? Unbelievers - anyone who has not trusted Christ alone for salvation. This would include babies and any children too young to understand the Gospel.
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Why should I be baptized?
Three reasons:
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Christ commands it - Matthew 28:19
Christ was our example - Matthew 3:13
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Believers in the Bible practiced it - Acts 2:41a
Turn to and read Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12-13, 9:18, 19:3-5
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How should I be baptized?
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Baptize: to dip, to plunge (in non-biblical usage: to be drowned, to sink or disable ships, to flood a city, metaphorically to be over head and ears in debt)
I do not know where my infant baptism friends find justification for sprinkling or pouring baptism. Perhaps from the so-called “church fathers.”
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When should I be baptized?
Our textbook calls it a first step of obedience. Some preachers preach it so dogmatically that you are lead to think that baptism right after salvation is mandatory.
I believe that baptism should be soon after salvation, but I do not call it a first step of obedience. Here’s why:
Baptism after salvation is exemplified in Scripture, but I don’t see it mandated.
Because this is a step of public commitment, some situations may require additional counseling before a person is ready to make that commitment. Example: if a gay man gets saved, it would be improper to baptise him if he doesn’t see a problem with his sexual identity.
Conclusion
Conclusion
“Nothing is more plainly taught in the New Testament than that it is the duty of every believer in Christ to be baptized.” - Charles Spurgeon
Application: if you are saved but have not been baptized, it’s time for you to do that. Whether you’ve been saved for one year or for 50 years, if you’ve not followed the Lord in baptism, the time is now. It will be a step of personal revival for you and our church family will rejoice in your decision to obey the Lord! If you refused to be baptized, then although you may be saved, you cannot be His disciple.
Take that step of faith and follow the Lord today by talking to me about baptism.
Assign chapter six as next reading assignment
