Baptism - God's Way

Baptism: Why?

Some of you may not have been to a baptism before, or at least not a baptism done like this. So, very briefly, I’m going to explain the why, who and what of baptism as we understand it from God’s Word.

First of all, why get baptised?

The simple answer is it’s God’s way. This afternoon, Archie is showing us the way of God. You see God has a way, a path, a road along which those who love Him will follow Him.

In our western, liberal culture, it’s difficult to speak of a way or the way, because we’re told that’s narrow-minded. And even Christians struggle with this at times, because there’s an undeniable narrowness about what we’re saying this afternoon. Jesus didn’t try to disguise; He said that God’s way is a narrow way. And Archie has invited you all here this afternoon because he wants you to know that he’s chosen to follow that narrow way of God.

One important step on God’s way is baptism. In fact, God’s way has involved water for thousands of years.

Psalm 77:19 NIV

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

This is a song written about the experience of the people of Israel as they were fleeing from slavery in the land of Egypt, the Egyptian armies in hot pursuit, and they came to the Red Sea.

The Israelites had been following God’s way as He led them by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night; and now God would show them that His way was through the water.

To live in freedom from their captors and to be able to enjoy the fulness of the blessings and privileges God had in store for them as His own people, they first had to pass through water. The New Testament tell us that this was a type of baptism.

And God has a very similar way for disciples today.

When I asked Archie why he wanted to be baptised, he told me that it’s one of the seven steps. What Archie was referring to is found in Acts 2:41-42.

Acts 2:41–42 NIV

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

We believe these verses set out, in a nutshell, God’s way for disciples today. I think the first Christians believed that too. You know, the community of early disciples became know by outsiders as “the Way”. I think that’s because they must have been heard talking about the way of God repeatedly.

Do you see the seven steps Archie referred to? We can split it into two groups. The first 3 things are things which only need to be done once, and they occur in the order set out:

Accepting the message (of the gospel)

Being baptised

Being added to a church of God

The next four things are done repeatedly once the person has been added:

4. Following the apostles’ teaching (given them by the Lord)

5. Sharing their whole lives with others in the church

6. Meeting regularly to remember the Lord Jesus in bread and wine

7. Meeting regularly as a church to pray.

You’ll note that baptism is step 2 along this way. But it’s of vital importance to the disciple because it unlocks steps 3 - 7. And tomorrow Archie will complete step 3 and he then has the rest of his life to explore and enjoy steps 4 - 7.

Don't underestimate the importance of what Archie is showing us this afternoon. For all who love the Lord Jesus, God has a way and it’s through water. Baptism isn’t an optional extra; it’s vitally important for those who love their Lord.

Baptism: Who?

So, who gets baptised?

It will be obvious from what we’ve just said that Archie has already completed step 1. He’s accepted the message, he’s believed. Baptism is for believers - for those who have understood God’s message of salvation and who have believed it.

What’s the message he’s believed? Here it is:

John 14:6 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

You see, Jesus doesn’t just show us the way; He didn’t come just to leave us with a good example. He is THE WAY. The only way to God.

Because it’s only through Jesus’ death for our sins and His resurrection to the Father’s side that we can now have access to God. And by putting his trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection, by believing in Him, Archie has been saved from the penalty of his sins; he’s been born again; he’s a child of God.

So you see, friends, this baptism isn’t about Archie being washed of his sins; it’s not about him being saved from God’s judgment of his sins. It’s not about him gaining eternal life. All of those things have already happened.

That’s what makes God’s way so different from all other religions. You see most other religions will tell you there’s a way, a path which you have to follow. And at the end of the path there’s a gate. And you won’t know whether you’ll have done enough to enter through the gate until you get there.

God’s way is utterly different. You see, it starts with the gate. Jesus Christ is the gate. And, you see, the gate is narrow too, because He says I’m the only way to God! But to have a relationship with God, we only need to enter through the gate - to believe in the One God sent to open the way for us.

Archie’s done that. He’s believed; he’s saved; he’s born again; he’s got eternal life; he’s going to heaven.

Baptism: What?

So, what is baptism?

Romans 6:4 ESV

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Baptism is about death, burial and resurrection. You see when Archie put his trust in the Lord Jesus, he received a new spiritual life from God. And today Archie is making a public declaration that he intends to walk in the newness of that new life which God has given him.

So he’s going to go down into the water, uniting himself with the death of the Lord Jesus, burying that old life which was going its own way; saying ‘I’m done with that’.

And then he’s going to come up out of the water, uniting himself with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, taking hold of that new life he’s been giving and walking in it.

So this is a pledge of commitment to WALK God's Way. It’s a declaration of allegiance to the One who leads us in God's Way and who's been given all authority over it, the Lord Jesus Christ. And it’s a witness to the newness of life that those on God's Way enjoy.

Psalm 18:30 NIV

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Archie, you’re taking an important step along God’s way today. But you’re just setting out on a journey which will last a lifetime. You’ve a lot more to learn and to enjoy about the way of God. Make sure you’re in God’s word on a regular basis, because that where He reveals His way. His flawless word tells us all we need to know about His perfect way, so I encourage you to form good habits around the reading and study of God’s word. And may God bless you as you seek to walk for Him, according to His way.