Baptized with Water

Opening

It’s graduation season. Last Tuesday my niece, Julia, graduated high school. [PICTURE] I got to watch her walk across the stage. My family is very proud of her. She was the president of a leadership club and the Christian club on campus, and she had a 4.0 GPA. That’s an A average. She worked hard!

All of the work required for her to graduate was done before the ceremony. Julia technically could have skipped the event and still gotten a diploma, but then we would have all missed out on the celebration.

Likewise with baptisms. Baptisms are a celebration! The work has been completed before we are even in the water.

But let me be clear. When it comes to baptisms, the work was not our own, it is all that Christ has accomplished. More on this shortly.

Sacraments - Baptism

Today we begin a 2-week series on the sacraments. The root word in Latin means “sacred.” These are special ordinances in the church.

There are only two sacraments in the protestant church (we are included in that), Baptism (which we’ll focus on today) and Communion (which Pastor Josue will cover next week).

Some churches have up to seven sacraments, but we believe there are only two. Josue and I will talk more about this in our Behind the Point podcast this week.

One of the things that makes the sacraments so special is that we can tangibly (or physically) participate in the celebration of God’s work.

These Theologians say it well . . . “in the corporate acts of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate the power of the Spirit working in the body of Christ. The Spirit is at work in all aspects of worship and ministry, but the two sacraments (or ordinances) provide special physical pictures of his powerful work of spiritual transformation.”

Ford, Coleman M. & Wilhite, Shawn J. Pastors, Do You Encourage Your Congregation with the Sacraments? May 13, 2026. https://www.crossway.org/articles/pastors-do-you-encourage-your-congregation-with-the-sacraments

The authors go on to say that the sacraments also connect us with the universal church. The body of Christ extends far beyond Centerpoint to the global church throughout the ages.

Because of the significance of the sacraments, it is important for us to have a good understanding of what it is we are participating in.

Today we’ll focus on Great (biblical) reasons to be baptized.

There are poor reasons to be baptized. Doing so because . . .

Your family wants you to be baptized - It’s great they support you, but it should be your desire and your decision

Some get baptized because they think that the water itself or the act of baptism is what saves you - when it is really the blood of Christ that washes away your sins

Or getting baptized to show off how much you’ve done - when it should be pointing higher to what God has done

Let me suggest some better reasons. We’ll be jumping between a few books of the Bible today. First, I invite you to turn with me to Galatians 3:26-27 (pg 1002).

Today, if you’ve not yet been baptized as a believer, please listen through the end of the message. I am going to give you an opportunity to be baptized this evening. First, let’s make sure you have a good reason why.

And for those of you who have been baptized and are walking with the Lord, let today be a good reminder of all that God has done for you. Can you still say these three phrases I’ll present today?

The first great reason to be baptized is if you can say. . .

1. I have received Jesus as Lord and Savior

Galatians 3:26–27 NIV

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

When Paul says “baptized into Christ” he would have had in mind both the baptism of the Holy Spirit (which Josue preached on last week - that happens at conversion) and water baptism.

Notice in the verse that Paul emphasizes Jesus’ work - IN Christ, INTO Christ, WITH Christ. Jesus is everything!

Paul says here that this happens “through faith,” echoing what he also says in Ephesians that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Eph 2:8-9) We put our trust in Jesus to do what we can never do for ourselves.

The crucial question that our pastors ask everyone before they are baptized is this: is Jesus your Lord and Savior?

By Lord, we mean is Jesus the King of your life?

Those of us who say yes know that He has proven Himself trustworthy. He is after-all all loving and all knowing. I have more confidence in Him than in myself or any flawed person.

If Jesus is king, we’ll follow Him

If He is king, we will take Him seriously

If He is king, we’ll obey what He says.

Did you know that water baptism is a commandment, rather than a recommendation?

In Acts 10:38, Peter ordered newly converted believers to be baptized.

Jesus commanded it in the Great Commission

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. . .”

To refuse to be baptized is disobedience. Not being baptized is a sin. You may still be saved and go to heaven, but you’ve neglected a command from King Jesus.

Baptism is significant part of discipleship - of following Jesus.

So water baptism acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus. But it also celebrates that He has saved us and washed away our sins. Remember Jesus is both Lord and Savior.

After the apostle Paul’s conversion, Ananias who discipled him, said to Paul . . .

Acts 22:16 NIV

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on [Jesus’} name.’

Now it wasn’t actually the water baptism washing away his sins.

As the old hymn says : What can wash away my sin? Nothing but . . . the blood of Jesus

1 John 1:7 NIV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Now Jesus doesn’t force salvation on us, but he offers it to us. Salvation (which is forgiveness of sins, a restored relationship with God, and eternal life) is a free gift. Have you received it? It is available for you today.

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Frequently baptisms in the Bible were connected to repentance - that is turning from sin to God - it’s the movement needed in our lives to demonstrate that we are following Jesus.

One theologian put John’s baptism this way, “The baptism by John was a baptism of repentance. . . Israel was being asked to turn away from its disobedience and rebellion and to start anew by turning toward the coming Messiah. By doing so they would be forgiven—released—from their sins and would experience the grace of God through the Messiah.

Rodney L. Cooper, Mark, vol. 2, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 7–8.

As we participate in baptisms, it is a reminder that we need forgiveness for our sins. And when we turn to Jesus we are forgiven.

Apply

Since baptism is for those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we baptize those who can make a choice themselves to follow Jesus.

If you were baptized as a baby and later received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to be baptized now as a believer.

If you are a believer and have never been baptized. What is stopping you from being baptized this evening?

Some may choose in special cases to be re-baptized after returning to the Lord after walking away from Him. Though keep in mind that we need not be re-baptized again and again. Paul says in Ephesians that there is one body (the church), one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Lord of all.

Or maybe you are here today and have not yet given your life to Christ . . . why not? He loves you and He has something better for you. True love like you’ll find nowhere else. Peace. Life. Hope. And so much more.

We’d love to pray with you after the service, if you are ready to say yes to Jesus today.

First, let me give us a couple more reasons to be baptized.

The second great reason to be baptized is if you can say . . .

2. I identify with Jesus in His death and resurrection

Romans 6:3–4 NIV

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

What does it mean baptized into his death and buried with him? It means that all our sins past, present, and future were nailed to the cross with Christ (Colossians 2:14-15). He died so that we can live and so that we can be restored to a relationship with God. All our spiritual debt has been cancelled.

It is interesting that Jesus himself was baptized by John at the start of his ministry. Jesus was perfect, without sin, but he said that he needed to be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15)

Theologian, Peter Orr says, “Jesus submitting to John’s baptism anticipates and points to his work on the cross when he gave himself as a ransom for many.”

Peter Orr. Why Jesus Needed to Be Baptized. March 5, 2026. https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-jesus-needed-to-be-baptized/

Jesus was looking ahead. Someone had to pay for our sins. God is just and justice requires accountability. Jesus so mercifully took our sins upon Himself. He gave us His very life so that we can live.

And so as we identify with Christ our old selves are in the grave, but they have been replaced with new life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

That’s a big deal! If you are in Christ, you are a new person. You are not who you once were!

When someone is baptized the very act is symbolic of death to life. As they enter the water they are acknowledging that they are buried with Christ and as they are raised up out of the water it symbolizes new life that we are resurrected to eternal life with Jesus.

Now we still live in a broken world until Jesus returns and our human nature still gets us into temporary trouble from time to time, but Jesus forgives and forgets all my sins when I bring them to Him.

My mind may keep trying to remind me of my sins. Sometimes people will remind me. Certainly the enemy, the liar, the devil will remind me of my failures.

But the Holy Spirit tells me the truth through the Word of God that I am a new creation. I have been risen to new life with Christ. And nobody can take that away from me.

Coleman M. Ford and Shawn J. Wilhite said, “Baptism shows the reality that saints are reborn by faith in Christ; they shed their old self and put on the new self, which is Christ .”

Ford, Coleman M. & Wilhite, Shawn J. Pastors, Do You Encourage Your Congregation with the Sacraments? May 13, 2026. https://www.crossway.org/articles/pastors-do-you-encourage-your-congregation-with-the-sacraments

Often I get to hear amazing testimonies from men and women in this church of how Jesus brought them out of darkness as they discovered a new identity in Christ. All the time I’m talking with people that share that they formerly had substance addictions, spent time in prison, had major anger issues, dealt with sexual sin, etc. And all of us are still dealing with temptations of different kinds. Let us continuously lean on Christ and turn from sin because that is not who we are.

And if you need some extra support and reminders that is not who you are, come to Celebrate Recovery on Thursday nights at 6pm in building B.

Apply

I want to challenge you today. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, yet you have placed anything less than the death or resurrection of Christ as your highest identity that you repent.

If your primary identity has been in your gender, your sexuality, your race, your family name, your career, or anything else . . . repent. Turn to Jesus. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him.

If you need help learning more about what it means to have our identity in Christ, you’re in the right place. Josue or I would love to talk with you and maybe get you connected with a mentor or in the right group. Or come pray after the message with a prayer partner.

For some of you, perhaps baptism will be the next move for you to outwardly demonstrate your commitment to identifying with the death and resurrection of Jesus.

One more great reason to be baptized is if you can say . . .

3. I want others to see God’s great work

In Colossians 2:12-14 Paul talks again about being baptized with Christ and how all our sins and indebtedness have been taken away by being nailed to the cross. And then he says this about Jesus.

Colossians 2:15 NIV

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Every time God transforms a life . . . it is a testimony of his power and a testimony against the enemies of God. The same cross of Christ has a continuing impact!

Baptism is a special moment - Holy and worshipful. It blesses the believer, but it is ALL for the glory of God.

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Some of you want to glorify God, but something is holding you back.

If you have reservations about being baptized because you are nervous . . . a lot of people are nervous about it. I was nervous for mine.

Some don’t like water - I promise you that I won’t let you drown. You are literally under water for 1 second.

Some are concerned about hair or make-up getting messed up - yet baptism is one of the most beautiful sites in the eyes of God and the church

Some don’t like attention on themselves - Well good because the focus isn’t on you. As far as humility, you have the right posture

Some are nervous about all the people - but we are your family in Christ. Here to celebrate what God is doing in your life. Plus it goes by very quickly

Don’t let your nerves keep you from glorifying God

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Tonight we will be baptizing several people at the Encounter service and each person will confirm that Jesus is their Lord and Savior. I’ll ask them to share a verse with me that is special to them. And I will baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in accordance with God’s Word.

The worship music will play and the church will cheer every time someone raises up out of the water.

We won’t get to hear the details of their testimonies this evening, but I encourage you to go up and talk to some of them and ask them.

And to those being baptized let me encourage you to share what God has personally done in your life.

I was baptized when I was 17 years old after recommitting my life to Christ. I’ve shared my story a number of times and will again in the future, but remembering back to the time of my baptism, one thing I would do differently is make sure my testimony wasn’t too much about what I was doing. I joined this ministry and I was serving and I was leading here and there, blah blah blah. I didn’t mean it to show off. I just thought that’s how everyone shares their testimonies.

As I’ve grown in my faith over the years, I find that more often now the most effective way to share my stories in a way that is meaningful to the listeners and glorifying to God is to share aspects of my journey that relate to what others are going through.

I share specific stories about how God helped me with my anxiety, how He helped me in times of waiting. Sometimes I’ll come across people facing health issues that I or a loved one have dealt with so I share those stories.

Apply

My encouragement for you is to make the stories genuinely your own, but keep God the hero.

If it’s all about you, the message you are sending is that it is about works, rather than God’s grace.

Share where you failed, what you learned, and how God brought you to where you are now.

Closing

If you’ve already been baptized as a believer, my hope is that this message was a reminder of God’s work in your life. And my challenge for you is to live out the great commission - making new disciples who will be baptized.

If you are here today and ready to give your life to Christ, please come forward after I pray and speak with me or one of our prayer partners up here.

And if you would like to be baptized tonight and haven’t yet signed up, there is a form in the bulletin. I would like to speak with you first, so please come talk to me right now and we will head into room 109 for just a few minutes.

Let’s pray!

[Ask people to raise there hands if they are taking a step with Christ to receive him and/or be baptized]