The Meaning of Baptism

Introduction

What a banner day at Hopewell on Easter

Exciting Sunrise service

Packed Easter service: Most we have had in this sanctuary since it was built

What’s next

Homecoming/Baptism in the park

1 Baptism is not a license to Sin (1-3)

Context: Detractors of Paul’s teaching on grace predicted it would lead to immorality

(1) “ Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?”

2. Baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual transformation (4-5)

This could be a sarcastic question

Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?

This could be a gross manipulation of grace

(2) Paul gives a strong no! The reason is that grace not only forgives from sin, it separates us from sin.

The word here is death

There is an expectation that we will not want to stay in it, and that God has done something in salvation that means we do not have to stay in it.

(3) The picture of baptism is invoked here

Going under the water pictures:

The death of Christ

The death of our sinfulness

Doctrinal issues

This is why sprinkling or pouring will not work. It messes up the picture

Application:

This does not teach that baptism saves. It teaches that baptism symbolizes salvation.

Don’t put your faith in a baptism, rather make sure your baptism is rooted in faith.

2 Baptism is a declaration of change (4,5)

(4) Going under pictures death, coming up pictures resurrection

Scripture:

John 3:3 CSB

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Specifically here there is a reference to the same power that resurrected Christ being the power that puts sin to death in our lives.

There is a phrase that used to be found in churches that is almost lost. The phrase is “living in victory”. It does not mean you are sinless. It means that you are growing more like Christ and instead of your temptations winning you are winning against temptation.

The doctrine here is sanctification, growing more and more like Christ

(5) This verse states that all that share in His death share in His resurrection

This means if you get saved, you stay saved

His resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection

Its like a ticket (friend that had a connection to Braves tickets)

His new life means you get a new life

Application: Salvation should equal a change. You haven’t reformed, you haven’t made a resolution, you have been supernaturally reborn.

Was your baptism simply a ritual you went through ?

Is your baptism on the right side of your salvation?

Illustration: John Newton was an 18th century slave trader. Increasingly convicted of the evil he was supporting he repented and dedicated his life to Christian ministry. This change in his life led him to pen quite possibly to most famous Christian Hymn of all time:

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found T'was blind but now I see

3.Baptism is a declaration of freedom (6-11)

(6,7) While we do not think of death being positive, when it is in reference to something that has us in bondage it is. This text teaches that death to sin breaks its power over us.

This does not teach that sin is eradicated, we still must fight against it by surrendering to Christ

This does teach that there is no excuse for sin in the life of a believer

“Well, i’m just human” Don’t you say that! You are not just human. Thats talk for a lost person. They are just human. They are slaves to sin. They really cannot live a moral life. But you, believer, you are more than just a human, you are a born again blood bought child of the most high God. You have been baptised in the likeness of the death of Christ, raised to walk in the newness of HIs life, and though we shall stumble, our lives should be marked by Victory over sin!

We do still have a sin nature living in us, but it is conquered my a much greater Christ living in us

(8-9) The miracle of the empty tomb makes one thing clear, Christ has completely conquered death:

We do not fear death

We are not controlled by sin

(10) Christ died for sin once, now He lives with the Father and for the Father forever.

(11) So too should our one time action lead to an eternity of glorifying God. Starting now!

Stop waiting to be faithful to God.

If you need to get saved, get saved today!

If you need to be baptized, make that public today

never baptized

Baptism

Baptized on wrong side of salvation

If you need to join the church, join today

If you need to volunteer for a ministry, do it today

If you need to pray at the altar, do it today!