Baptism

Introduction

We are going to begin our study this morning in Acts 2.

This is a text that we are familiar with because this is the first time that the gospel was preached after the resurrection of Jesus.

The events in the chapter take place on the day of Pentecost, a Major Holiday for the Jews when all Jewish males were required to be in Jerusalem. There would be a lot of people here from many different nations, so this is the perfect time to preach the gospel.

So, that’s what Peter does. He preaches a message that would truly convict the people. Think about it… some of the people were there on the day of Pentecost were also there during the crucifixion of Jesus. So, Peter explains the gospel to them.

He tells them that God has made forgiveness possible through the crucified man: Jesus.

He tells them that Jesus was truly the son of God, and this was proven when God raised him from the dead.

He tells them that the Jesus that they crucified is now seated at the right hand of God as the new King of Kings.

Peter tells them all of this, and how do they respond? Acts 2:36-37.

Acts 2:36–37 ESV

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

They respond with humble and opened hearts. They realize that Jesus is the Messiah, and that we find forgiveness and salvation through him, so they cry out, “what shall we do.”

These people want to know how they can be saved through Jesus, and Peter responds in Acts 2:38.

Acts 2:38 ESV

38 And Peter said to them, “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.

He says that they must repent. They must reorient their lives around Jesus.

He says that they must be baptized. Baptism is a part of being a Christian.

We know this verse very well, don’t we? When we are teaching someone salvation in Jesus, this is one of the verses that we go to show them the importance of baptism. This is what I want to talk about in the lesson today; I want to unpack this idea of baptism.

I want to do this because this is something that the ancient people understood.

Have you ever noticed that baptism was not something that people argued about in the NT?

People argued about whether or not Jesus was lord, but once that was accepted, baptism was a given. They truly understood baptism.

Also notice that the ancient culture wasn’t a culture of easy membership/commitment.

I want to do this because this is something that we don’t really do.

We don’t frequently unpack this idea of baptism and talk about it on a deeper level.

Acts 2:38, and other passages, have become proof-texts that we use to show that baptism is essential, but we don’t usually dig deeper. We don’t usually unpack the idea of baptism so that we can see it the way that God sees it.

That’s what I want to do in this lesson. I want to dig deeper and look at what baptism really is.

Baptism is our participation in the work of Jesus.

Romans 6:1-12.

Romans 6:1–12 ESV

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

Paul tells us that when we are baptized, we are baptized into Jesus’ death. This means that when we are baptized, we are participating in the life and work of Jesus. What does this mean? Well, think with me about Jesus’ death.

When Jesus died, he died to the world. Here’s what this means: It means that when Jesus died and was raised, he was no longer subject to the rules of this fallen world. Romans 6:9.

Romans 6:9 ESV

9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Think about it, the same body that went into the ground came out of the ground, but that body was no longer subject to the rules of this world. The same wounds that killed on Friday had no effect on Sunday (they were just witnesses to his death).

Jesus was no longer subject to the rules of this world because he was already a part of the world that is to come where there is no death.

So, this is part of the reason why baptism is necessary. It’s because we are participating in the redeeming work of Jesus. If we don’t participate in the redeeming work of Jesus, then we are not saved.

What is our hope as Christians?

Our hope is that we will be raised like Jesus was raised.

But we will only be raised in last if we have participated in the death of Jesus. Romans 6:5.

Romans 6:5 ESV

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

This is why Christians must be baptized. Through baptism, we are participating in the redeeming work of Jesus, but that’s not all. Through baptism we are participating in the world to come.

This is why Christians live differently. We don’t live according to the rules of this world; we live according to the rules of the next world. Romans 6:4.

Romans 6:4 ESV

4 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.

This is why we don’t fear death. In the world that is to come, death is defeated.

This is why we aren’t greedy. In the world that is to come, God richly provides us with everything that we need.

This is why we pursue peace. In the world that is to come, there is no violence. We will all be united in Jesus.

This is why we have joy. In the world that is to come, we will truly live joyous lives as we live with God.

So, baptism is necessary because it is through baptism that we participate in the redeeming work of Jesus.

Baptism is how we are sanctified and justified.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

In this context, Paul describes all of these unrighteous people, and he tells the Corinthians, “you used to be like this, but you aren’t any more.” Why are they different now?

Is it because they changed their minds? No… That’s implied, but that’s not the primary reason.

They are different because they have been washed. That’s what makes them Christian people. It’s not just the change in attitude, but it’s also the washing.

Paul tells them that it’s through baptism that they are sanctified, but what does this mean?

To be sanctified is to be made holy, or set apart, for God’s use.

We see this concept used heavily in the Old Testament.

The priests, the Levites, they were set apart for God’s service… They were sanctified.

Notice that the Levites had to actually do something to be sanctified; there was a ritual involved. After those things were done, then they were priests.

Well, the same is true of us. We are a holy nation and a royal priesthood. We as Christians are set apart for the work of the Lord, but first we must be sanctified through washing. This is what Paul is saying.

But notice with me that we aren’t only sanctified. We are also justified in our baptism. What does it mean to be justified?

This is a legal term. It’s being declared “not guilty.” It’s being made right with God. This is what Peter means in Acts 2:38.

Acts 2:38 ESV

38 And Peter said to them, “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.

Through baptism, our sins are forgiven, and we are declared not guilty.

This is something that we all need because we are all guilty. This is Paul’s argument in the first chapters of Romans.

Romans 1 – Paul is criticizing the pagan world for their wickedness. Romans 1:21-25.

Romans 1:21–25 ESV

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Romans 2 – Paul turns his attention to the Jews. Romans 2:1.

Romans 2:1 ESV

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

Romans 3 – All have sinned. Romans 3:23.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

So Paul’s point is that all people need the justification that is offered in Jesus Christ. How do we get that justification? 1 Corinthians 6:11.

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Baptism is preparation for God’s presence.

Hebrews 10:19-22.

Hebrews 10:19–22 ESV

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The author tells us that we have confidence to enter to holy because we are cleansed by Jesus’ blood. This sounds a lot like the OT doesn’t it?

In the OT, there was one day when the high priest would enter the throne room and approach the throne of God. The day of atonement.

On that day, the High Priest had confidence to enter the holy place, but why?

They had confidence because of the blood of the goat that they had just sacrificed.

The High Priest didn’t enter the holy place when he felt clean. He entered the holy place when he had been washed clean by the blood of the goat.

Notice that all of that OT imagery is fulfilled in Christ.

The Most Holy Place was just a shadow of where God dwells – Heaven. We see this idea in scripture

1 Kings 6:20.

1 Kings 6:20 ESV

20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high, and he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid an altar of cedar.

What are the dimensions of the Most Holy Place? 20x20x20. It’s a perfect cube.

Revelation 21:15-16.

Revelation 21:15–16 ESV

15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.

What are the dimensions of New Jerusalem? It’s a perfect cube.

Revelation is obviously symbolic, so these are not the literal dimensions of heaven, but the point is that Heaven is the new Holy Place. The author of Revelation wants us to see the similarities with the Holy Place in the OT.

Just like the High Priest in the OT, Jesus entered the Holy Place, but he allows us to enter as well. In the OT, the people didn’t follow the high priest into the Holy Place, but we will follow Jesus into Heaven.

Why do we have confidence to approach God’s presence in Heaven – the Most Holy Place?

We have confidence because of the blood of Jesus.

Since we have the blood of Jesus, we can draw near… Hebrews 10:22.

Hebrews 10:22 ESV

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

We can draw near with a true and faithful heart, but it’s not just faith that allows us to draw near.

We can draw near because our bodies have been washed with pure water.

So, how are our bodies prepared for Heaven? It’s through baptism.

Conclusion: Our Bodies are Important

This is Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians. Why should you stay away from sexual immorality? Because the same body that goes into the ground also comes out of the ground.

1 Corinthians 6:13-15 (NIV).

1 Corinthians 6:13–15 NIV

13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

Our bodies are important to God, and this is why we need to be washed.

Maybe that’s why our culture argues against baptism… Maybe it’s because they don’t see the importance of the body.

The body is important to God… Is your body prepared for God’s presence?