Why should I be baptized?

Why should I be baptized?

Text: Romans 10:9–11 (KJV 1900)

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Introduction:

* The word baptism means to plunge, to immerse, or to wash; it also signifies, any rite of immersion in water.

The history of Baptism

* When John the Baptist came on the scene in the first century Jewish world, his teaching included the necessity of baptism. The people of his day were familiar with the act or practice of baptism.

* Toward the beginning of the Christian era, the Jews adopted the custom of baptizing proselytes seven days after their circumcision.

* A series of specific interrogations made it possible to judge the real intentions of the candidate who wished to adopt the Jewish religion.

* After submitting to these interrogations, he was circumcised and later baptized before witnesses.

* In the baptism, he was immersed in a pool of ; when he rose from the pool, he was considered a true son of Israel.

* After their baptism, new converts were allowed access to the sacrifices in the Temple.

* This baptism was merely a custom of the Jews, but John the Baptist was given a baptism by divine origin.

* Jesus tells us that the baptism that John taught was from heaven, not from men.

Matthew 21:23–26 (KJV 1900)

23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

* When John preached a baptism for the remission of sins, the people heard and obeyed.

*They submitted to the baptism that had been authorized by God. It was the first time in human history in which a person had the opportunity to be baptized for the remission of his sins.

* After the death and resurrection of Jesus we now, instead of being baptized unto repentance, are baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

I. The purpose of baptism after the death and resurrection of Jesus, is to unashamedly identify with Jesus.

Romans 10:9–11 (KJV 1900)

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Mark 8:34–38 (KJV 1900)

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them,

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

* The truth that Jesus is presenting in these verses in Mark, chapter 8 is that “Those people who are saved- those people who are the true followers of Jesus- are those who are not ashamed to identify themselves with Jesus and the Word of God, the Bible.

* In the light of these verses that I have read with you this morning, if you are afraid or ashamed to let others know that you have trusted in Jesus for salvation and believe the Bible, then I would question whether or not you have truly been saved.

*Again I remind you of our text verse this morning:

John 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

II. Baptism is the first of the only two ordinances of the church.

* There are two ordinances set forth in the Bible that the New Testament churches are commanded to observe: Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.

* The ordinance of Baptism ensures that we are not ashamed to identify with the name of Christ.

Matthew 28:16–20 (KJV 1900)

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

* In Baptism, The act of being totally submerged in water, and then being raised up out of that water, symbolizes, or pictures the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

* The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper also ensures that the church continues to unashamedly proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as well.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (KJV 1900)

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

III. What does baptism symbolize?

* Water baptism is the outward identification of an inward reality- faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

* Water baptism was a public symbol of faith in God. (1 Pet. 3:21) The apostle Peter said baptism is a mark of salvation because it gives outward evidence of an inward faith in Christ.

* Baptism pictures that the old man that we once were, has died with Jesus, and the new man is raised, with Jesus, to walk in newness of life.

* This is what we call conversion, or regeneration. The man that once was is now dead and buried, and now, after believing on Jesus Christ we are a new and living creation.

* Water baptism also symbolizes the spiritual reality of being immersed into Jesus Christ.

* We find this teaching in Romans chapter 6:

Romans 6:2–14 (KJV 1900)

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

* Paul declares in (Gal. 2:20)

“I have been crucified with Christ,”-that is, my old “I” is dead and no longer exists-“and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”

* What baptism does not symbolize, is the washing away of our sins by the act of being baptized.

* The act of baptism is not required for salvation, but it is required if we are to be obedient to Christ’s commands.

IV. Baptism was always the next step after salvation.

Acts 8:26–40 (KJV 1900)

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

IV. If you have not yet been baptized, you have not taken the first step to maturity as a Christian.

* By way of example of example to us, Jesus did not start his own ministry until he was fist baptized.

Mark 1:9–18 (KJV 1900)

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

* There was no spiritual need for Jesus to be baptized whatsoever. He was baptized for our example.

* Until you are willing to be unashamed to identify with Jesus Christ, and submit yourself to God in the obedience of baptism, you will never reach full maturity as a Christian.

V. Baptism is not required for salvation:

* No more argument needs to be made than that of the thief on the cross. He, not being baptized, was promised that he would be in Paradise with Jesus.

VI. The Bible nowhere teaches infant baptism.

* The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes.

* In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).

* Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ.

* It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.

* With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice.

* An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ.

* An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ.

* An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes.

* The Bible does not record any infants being baptized.

* Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism - as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water.

* Even the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible.

* How does pouring or sprinkling illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

*Many Christians who practice infant baptism do so because they have been taught that infant baptism is the New Testament equivalent of circumcision.

* In this view, just as circumcision joined a Hebrew to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, so baptism joined a person to the New Covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ.

* This view is unbiblical. The New Testament nowhere describes baptism as the New Covenant replacement for Old Covenant circumcision.

* The New Testament nowhere describes baptism as a sign of the New Covenant.

* It is faith in Jesus Christ that enables a person to enjoy the blessings of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:15).

* Baptism does not save a person.

* It does not matter if you were baptized by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling - if you have not first trusted in Christ for salvation, baptism (no matter the method) is meaningless and useless.

* Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience to be done after salvation as a public profession of faith in Christ and identification with Him.

* Infant baptism does not fit the Biblical definition of baptism or the Biblical method of baptism.

* If Christian parents wish to dedicate their child to Christ, then a baby dedication service is entirely appropriate.

* However, even if infants are dedicated to the Lord, when they grow up they will still have to make a personal decision to believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved. Conclusion:

* If you have believed in Jesus for salvation, they you are commanded to not be ashamed of Jesus.

* If you have been saved and never yet been baptized, they you have not been fully obedient to the command of your savior.

* You will never be able to fully mature in your relationship to God until you obey this first requirement of God’s will for your live.

* Many people will not get baptized because they don’t want to obligate themselves to make any kind of commitment to God, or the Church.

* I will close this sermon about baptism with a final word of caution to you from the lips of Jesus Christ Himself this morning:

* Our text we took this morning, Romans 10:11 says:

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Mark 8:34–38 (KJV 1900)

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.