14a Baptism

Foundational Doctrines:

Baptism

Text:  Matthew 3:1-17

Aim: To show the proper scriptural method of baptism and its importance as a personal act of identification as a member of His body through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Doctrinal Statement:

“We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s supper; in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.”

Introduction:

1.      Because of much false teaching about baptism it is important we understand what the Scriptures teach about it.

2.      It will be necessary to put aside preconceived notions and ideas about baptism and carefully examine the Holy Scriptures.

3.      Baptism is an ordinance and not a sacrament.

a.      An ordinance is a decree or a command given by Jesus Christ to His church. It has NO saving power. (Matthew 28:19, 20)

b.       A sacrament is a religious rite or ceremony that acts as a means of grace; a method of salvation by works.

4.      God, in the Holy Scriptures, has given a pattern. A pattern for the Tabernacle/Temple and the church.

5.      The pattern of the New Testament church is likened unto ...

a.      A building fitly framed together.

b.       A bride pure and undefiled.

c.       A body of members with different functions.

6.      We have made an emphasis of understanding what a New Testament Church is because it is the only earthly organization that represents the body of Christ.

7.      In the ordinance of baptism the pattern of physically identifying with Jesus and His Body is through His death, burial, and resurrection. (Romans 6:1-6)

8.      It is the believer's duty to be obedient to God by following His ordinances/instructions as He has given them to us. (1 Corinthians 11:1-2)

9.      Notice what the Bible teaches us about the scriptural requirements of baptism:

I.       A Proper Candidate

A.      One who has repented of his sins (Acts 2:38).

1.      To “repent” means “to turn away from.”

2.      The proper candidate must reject, turn away from his sinful past.

B.      One who has received Jesus Christ as Savior (Acts 2:41).

1.      Our old life is crucified and buried with Him (Romans 6:4; Galatians 2:20).

2.      His resurrection signifies our new life with Him.

C.     One who has trusted Jesus Christ as Lord (Acts 2:42).

1.      We are no longer slaves to ourselves and our desires.

2.      We are servants of Jesus Christ and are free to do right.

II.    A Proper Motive

A.      John the Baptist would not baptize without repentance (Matt. 3).

B.      Peter would not baptize without repentance (Acts 2:38).

C.     Phillip would not baptize without repentance (Acts 8:36, 37).

D.     Paul would not baptize without repentance (Acts 19:1-5).

1.      Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.      Repent of your sins.

3.      Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. A Proper Mode (or Method)

A.      Immersion is the meaning of the Greek word baptizo.

1.      To immerse (baptize) means to be completely put into, completely covered/overwhelmed.

2.      Therefore, to immerse/baptize someone means there must be enough water to go completely under.

B.      Immersion is the correct identification with death, burial and resurrection.

1.      When one is buried he is put into the earth and covered.

2.      Sprinkling is not a picture of burial!

IV. A Proper Authority

A.      The need for authority

1.      Authority must have backing / support.

a.       No one would walk into a school and proclaim himself the principal.

b.       No one accepts a self-proclaimed president, king, or general.

2.      For any action to be legal it must be backed by proper, recognized authority.

a.       a marriage license

b.       a driver’s license

c.       a search warrant

3.      Baptism, to be accepted, must be from a proper and recognized authority as outlined in the Scriptures.

B.      The origin of this authority

1.      God authorized John the Baptist to baptize (John 1:6).

a.       There were many washing ceremonies, but only one ordained of God (Matthew 3:1-3).

b.       Jesus walked over forty miles to be baptized by John the Baptist.

2.      Jesus verified the authority of John the Baptist (Luke 20:1-8).

C.     The place of authority

1.      The local church is the only scripturally sanctioned authority to baptize.

a.       That line of authority came from God the Father to Jesus through John the Baptist.

b.       Jesus gave the Apostles authority to baptize as Jesus Himself baptized no one. (These apostles were the first church --1 Corinthians 12:28)

c.       In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus gave the authority to His church to continue preaching, winning the lost, and baptizing them thus insuring perpetuity.

2.      Only a church matching the New Testament church in faith and practice has authority to baptize.

a.       One that matches in doctrine.

b.       One that is historically similar having the same Founder and origin.

3.      Jesus commands His church to go and baptize new converts (Matthew 28:18-20).

V.    A Proper Administrator

A.      John the Baptist

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

B.      The Apostles (Luke 9:1-10)

1.      These apostles were first in the church (1 Corinthians 12:28).

2.      They were given authority to baptize (Mark 16:15-16).

a.       This authority was not given to them as individuals, but as the body of Christ.

b.       This insured that the authority would not die with them.

c.       This insured perpetuity for the NT Church.

C.     The New Testament Church

1.      The proper administrator must derive his authority from God.

2.      God gave this authority to the local church which is the body of Christ.

3.      Therefore, only a New Testament church can give authority to the proper administrator.

Conclusion/Application:

1.      If Christians would simply follow the pattern God gives us there would not be the confusion there is about baptism.

2.      Baptism is an important part of every believer’s life and must be carefully understood and undertaken.

3.      A New Testament church should accept into membership only those believers who have received scriptural baptism according to the pattern outlined in God’s Word.

4.      If you are saved and not yet baptized you are living in disobedience to God’s Word.