Baptized into the Triune God
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Baptism: Identifying With the Triune God
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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Introduction
Church, today we are going to talk about something Jesus commanded, the apostles practiced, and the church has observed for two thousand years.
We are going to talk about baptism.
For some, baptism is a cherished memory. For others, it is a point of confusion. Some believe baptism saves. Some believe baptism is when a person receives the Holy Spirit. Others see it as a church tradition that really does not matter very much.
But if Jesus commanded it, then it matters.
And if Jesus commanded it, then we should understand it correctly.
Baptism is one of the most beautiful pictures God has given His church because it visibly proclaims what God has already accomplished invisibly in the heart of the believer.
Today I want us to understand three truths:
First, baptism does not save you.
Second, baptism is not a second spiritual experience.
Third, baptism is a public identification with the Triune God.
And my prayer is that by the end of our time together, those who have trusted Christ but never been baptized will joyfully take that step of obedience.
Division 1
Baptism Does Not Save You
Salvation is by grace through faith alone.
Explanation
One of the most common misunderstandings about baptism is the belief that it somehow contributes to salvation.
But Scripture consistently teaches that salvation is received through faith in Christ alone.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8–9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Notice the words.
Grace.
Faith.
Gift.
Not works.
Salvation is something God accomplishes, not something we earn.
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
The word justified means declared righteous before God.
How is a person justified?
By faith.
Apart from works.
If baptism contributed to salvation, then salvation would no longer be by grace alone.
Perhaps the clearest example is the thief on the cross.
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
That man never attended church.
Never gave an offering.
Never got baptized.
Yet Jesus saved him instantly.
Why?
Because salvation is not found in water.
Salvation is found in Christ.
The same pattern appears in Acts 10.
Peter is preaching to Cornelius and his household.
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
The Holy Spirit came before baptism.
They believed.
God saved them.
Then they were baptized.
Baptism followed salvation.
It did not produce salvation.
Paul drives the point home in 1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Imagine saying that if baptism were required for salvation.
Paul distinguishes baptism from the gospel because baptism is not the means of salvation.
It is the testimony of salvation.
Church, water can clean your skin.
Only Christ can cleanse your soul.
Argumentation
A person can be immersed a hundred times and still be lost.
The issue is not whether you have been in the water.
The issue is whether you have been born again.
Some people trust in a baptism certificate.
Others trust in a church membership card.
Others trust in a religious upbringing.
But none of those things save.
Jesus saves.
And salvation is received by grace through faith.
Sticky Statement
Baptism is not the root of salvation. It is a fruit of salvation.
Division 2
Baptism Is Not a Second Spiritual Experience
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer at conversion.
Explanation
Another common misunderstanding is that baptism is somehow connected to receiving the Holy Spirit in a special or secondary way.
Scripture teaches something very different.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Notice the word all. Every believer.
Not some believers. Not elite believers. Not mature believers.
All believers.
Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at conversion.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
The Spirit is not reserved for a higher level of Christianity.
The Spirit is the possession of every genuine Christian.
If you belong to Christ, the Spirit lives within you. The water is simply a symbol.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Paul is speaking about union with Christ.
At salvation we are united with Him.
Adopted by the Father.
Indwelt by the Spirit.
Made alive by grace.
Argumentation
Now let me make an important distinction.
Believers absolutely grow in their walk with God.
We mature.
We become more surrendered.
We become more obedient.
We become more Spirit-controlled.
But that is different from receiving the Spirit.
The Spirit comes at conversion.
Baptism does not bring Him.
Water does not impart Him.
Christ gives Him.
Application
As Christians, we need to be cautious chasing a greater experiences instead of resting in Christ.
IF we are always looking for A moment, a feeling, or an emotional high we will find ourselves looking at passages to support our feelings that are not rooted in the context itself
The believer’s confidence rests in what Jesus accomplished, and how we have been baptized by the Spirit into the body.
Church, baptism is not the moment you finally receive the Spirit.
It is the public testimony that God has already saved you and sealed you by His Spirit.
Sticky Statement
The Spirit is not earned through baptism. He is received through faith in Christ.
Division 3
Baptism Is a Public Identification With the Triune God
The believer publicly declares union with Christ and surrender to God.
Explanation
Now we come to the beauty of baptism.
If baptism does not save us and baptism does not give us the Holy Spirit, then why should believers pursue it?
Because baptism is identification.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19
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,
Notice that baptism is explicitly Trinitarian.
The disciple is identifying with the Triune God.
The Father who planned redemption.
The Son who accomplished redemption.
The Spirit who applies redemption.
Everything about our salvation is Trinitarian.
The Father chose to Save.
The Son redeemed us to Him.
The Spirit regenerated our souls in Christ.
Baptism publicly celebrates that reality.
In fact, some churches do triune immersion.
Not because there are three salvations.
Not because each immersion accomplishes something different.
But because it beautifully highlights the believer’s identification with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
One salvation.
One God.
Three Persons.
We see this beautifully at the baptism of Jesus.
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.”
The Son stands in the water.
The Spirit descends.
The Father speaks.
The Trinity is on display.
The old life is gone.
A new life has begun.
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Notice again.
Through faith.
Not through water.
Faith is the means.
Baptism is the symbol.
Baptism is standing before God’s people and saying:
The old me is dead. Jesus Christ is now my life.
Sticky Statement
Baptism is the believer’s public surrender to the Triune God.
Application
Why Should Believers Still Pursue Baptism Today? Here are 4 reasons why.
First, because Jesus commanded it.
Matthew 28:19–20 was not a suggestion.
It was a command.
Second, because public identification matters.
Jesus said in Matthew 10:32
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,
Baptism is a public declaration:
“I belong to Christ.”
Third, baptism encourages the church.
Every baptism is a visible sermon.
Every testimony reminds us that God still saves sinners.
Every baptism declares that grace still transforms lives.
Fourth, baptism declares victory.
Romans 6:4 says:
“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”
Baptism proclaims that the Gospel changes everything .
Not perfectly overnight.
But genuinely.
Powerfully.
Forever.
Closing
Some of you need salvation today.
Not baptism first.
Salvation first.
Not religion.
Not tradition.
Not ceremony.
You need Christ.
No amount of water can wash away your sin.
Only Jesus can do that.
Repent and believe the gospel.
Trust in His death.
Trust in His resurrection.
Trust in His finished work.
Others here know Christ.
You have trusted Him.
You love Him.
You belong to Him.
But you have never been baptized as a believer.
Maybe you keep putting it off.
Maybe you are nervous.
Maybe you think it is not important.
But Jesus thought it was important enough to command.
And the early church thought it was important enough to practice immediately.
So if Christ has saved you, identify with Him.
Stand before His church.
Declare your faith.
Celebrate His grace.
And publicly proclaim what the Triune God has done in your life.
The Father planned redemption.
The Son accomplished redemption.
The Spirit applies redemption.
And baptism is the believer joyfully declaring:
“The Triune God has changed my life.” Amen.
