No Turning Back

No Turning Back

Water Baptism

Today my plan was to finish our series “The Bible Doesn’t Say That.”

However God had something else in mind.

Today is our first baptism service and I felt like God was telling me to focus on that.

So this morning I’m going to talk for just a few minutes about the importance of water baptism and why we do it.

Then we are going to baptize a few people and also give you an opportunity even if you didn’t sign up.

We believe baptism is for a believer and that they are to be fully immersed in water.

The greek word for “Baptism” is “Baptizo” which means “to plunge under, to dip, or immerse.”

Some people will say that they were baptized as a baby so isn’t that good enough?

There is nowhere in the Bible where an infant is baptized.

Water baptism has nothing to do with your salvation.

This does not save you and is not a qualification for salvation.

The same thing when people say they were baptized as a baby and that’s why they’re saved.

The thief on the cross shows you it’s not a salvation issue.

But again, like when I talked about tithing this is one of those things that help you go deeper in your walk with the Lord.

So why do we get water baptized?

In 2014 the Seattle Seahawks were in the Super Bowl

Marshawn Lynch was being interviewed and wouldn’t answer any questions.

After about six questions he just walked off stage.

Dion Sanders was standing off the side and said to him “you seem like you don’t like to talk much.”

Marshawn Lynch responded, “I’m just about that action”.

What he was saying is that he would rather act on something than just talk about it.

See a lot of times as believers we TALK about our relationship with God but are we willing to ACT on it?

Are you willing “to just be about that action?”

So what are some other reasons to get baptized?

Jesus Told Us To

“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,”

Jesus told us that part of preaching the gospel and making disciples is baptizing each other.

He Led By Example

“Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Jesus didn’t HAVE to get baptized

But what he was saying is that I’m not going to tell you to do something that I’m not willing to do myself.

To me it shows the importance of baptism.

It’s a Public Confession of Your Faith in Jesus

It’s the part of our faith that we stand in front other people and say, “I’M NOT ASHAMED TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS.”

I want to let everyone know what He’s done in my life.

It’s a symbol much like I wear a wedding ring as a symbol of my marriage.

What Does It Represent?

“Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

Baptism represents us dying to our old self (when we go under) and becoming the new creation God has made us (when we come up).

It’s that moment when we say the old me is gone and there’s NO TURNING BACK!

I’m a new creation and I want to officially show the world what my new life is about.

This was such a big deal in the New Testament that this was the first thing they would do when you got saved.

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

I love the story with Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.

The Holy Spirit leads Philip to this man who is reading the prophet Isaiah.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”

They stopped the chariot at the first body of water they saw.

Because he was so excited to take that step and show the commitment he was making to God.

Bottom line is that if you are a believer in Jesus Christ you are called to get baptized.

There is no “I’m not ready” or “I need to figure some things out first.”

Any excuse to not do it is just the enemy trying to stop you from being obedient to God.

So today you have an opportunity to take this step of faith.

Even if you didn’t sign up to get baptized it’s not too late.

Take this step in your walk with the Lord and make a statement to the devil that there’s NO TURNING BACK.

Altar Call

Lead into baptism