Core 52 Week 39 - Are You Washed?
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Gift I never used. Missed an opportunity.
Baptism could be a gift we never open, or don’t really accept like we should. We need to know and understand what immersion is and take advantage of it.
It’s a big deal. Every church throughout history has practiced baptism in some form.
Different modes and timing. It can be confusing.
But it is a core Christian practice - a sacrament. Not just a symbol but a “sacred reenactment on earth that accomplishes (or reflects) something happening in heaven.”
It is so important that Jesus began his ministry by being immersed
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.”
It was a pivotal point in his mission.
The same is true for us. It is an amazing gift and a core command.
We can’t assume any more that everyone understands what the big deal is. Today we’ll answer some of the common questions about baptism. We want to be sure that everyone who has already experienced immersion understands what happened and to clarify for those who haven’t. We want to remove any barriers to someone choosing to be immersed in Christ.
Let’s unpack this gift together:
Immersion vs. Sprinkling
Immersion vs. Sprinkling
For hundreds of years, the church practiced immersion as the normative form of baptism.
The word lit. means “to dip” or “immerse.”
23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.
38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
The value in the practice of immersion is that it is a powerful picture of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
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. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.
No other mode displays the purpose of baptism as clearly as immersion.
All we’re saying at this point is that immersion is the original form of baptism.
Consider that seeing a loved one immersed into Christ may be the only time friends and family may see a reenactment of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Speak to those who were sprinkled as children and fear that submitting to immersion may insult their parents. Not so. We are not saying they were wrong.
“In fact, we are saying “thank you!” And now, being immersed with my own confession means that you have completely accomplished your role to instill faith in my life.”
We are affirming that what they started in us has come to full fruition through the Spirit.
Is Baptism Essential?
Is Baptism Essential?
Doctrine: We are saved when we are sealed with the HS. God determines when, where and how we are saved.
Baptism is an essential and culminating part of the process.
Not everyone is at the same place in their spiritual development. Bible teaches us that there are different steps in the process of conversion:
Hearing -
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Repenting of our past -
21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
Confessing our sins. -
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
This is the process of pledging our allegiance (loyalty) to Christ.
Immersion is the “end of the beginning.” The culmination of conversion.
The Bible consistently portrays that the confession of faith was in the act of baptism.
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.
Baptism is compared to:
New Birth
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
Clothing oneself in Christ
27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
Can God Save Someone Who Hasn’t Been Baptized
Can God Save Someone Who Hasn’t Been Baptized
Yes. God can grant salvation in his time and his way.
We must trust his decision.
But: God’s design and command is for every repentant believer to be baptized.
What Are the Benefits of Baptism?
What Are the Benefits of Baptism?
Baptism makes us disciples
Baptism makes us disciples
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Our strongest memories combine multiple senses. Baptism connects visual, auditory, and tactile sense. Even tasted and smell.
It is an enacted prayer
21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It sends exactly the right message. Death of an old way of life and resurrection to new life.
Baptism connects us to God.
Baptism connects us to God.
More than a symbol. It is a sacrament. Symbols only represent something. A sacrament accomplishes something.
Baptism connects us to a heavenly reality.
The water is just Bartlesville tap water with a few chemicals in it. The the obedient act of baptism is mystical. Something actually changes in baptism.
We actually put on Christ.
27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
Old person is gone, the new has come.
The HS is now permanently indwelling
5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Baptism saves us through faith.
Baptism saves us through faith.
16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
Baptism is a precious gift from God. It demonstrates beautifully the spiritual reality that takes place in heaven when a repentant believer accepts Christ as Lord and Savior.
It’s time to accept God’s gift.