SF912 - What Is Christian Baptism (Acts 8 26-38)
Acts 8:26-38
Introduction
Baptism is one of two ordinances given to the church.
Throughout history the meaning and intent of baptism has been misunderstood and abused.
Therefore is very important that we understand the Biblical meaning of this ordinance.
As Baptists, we believe that…
“Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.” (The Baptist Faith and Message, Article VII)
Today I want to focus our thoughts on two Biblical demands of baptism.
Baptism demands a proper candidate and a proper practice.
1A. Who is a Proper Candidate for Baptism?
“Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be to the person who is baptized - a sign of his fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into Christ; of remission of sins; and of that person's giving up of himself to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.
Those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects for this ordinance.” (Baptist Confession of Faith 1689, Article 29, no. 1&2)
1B. Only those who have heard and understood the gospel. (Acts 8:30-35)
Romans 10:13-17
2B. Only those who have obeyed the demands of the gospel (Acts 8:36-37)
By repenting of their sins
Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 17:30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent”
By trusting in Christ alone for salvation
Acts 20:21 “testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.’
Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.”
3B. Only those who have given evidence of regeneration.
Acts 26:20 “(Paul) kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.”
Acts 16:14-15 “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.”
2A. What is the Proper Practice in Baptism
1B. Baptism by immersion only
“The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, in which the person is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Immersion - the dipping of the person in water - is necessary for the due administration of this ordinance.” (Baptist Confession of Faith 1689, Article 29, no. 3&4)
WHY?
Because every baptism in the Bible was by immersion
Ø Jesus was baptized by immersion.
Matthew 3:16-17 “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’”
Ø The early church baptized believers by immersion. (Acts 8:38-39)
Because the word “baptize” means, “to immerse in water.”
The Greek word baptize means “to immerse or dip under water”.
Because immersion best symbolizes a burial and resurrection
Ø Immersion pictures Christ’s burial and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
Ø Immersion pictures my new-life as a Christian.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Ø Baptism does not make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Ø Baptism is like a wedding ring – it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.
2B. Baptism is for believers only. (Acts 8:37)
Because baptism is a confession of the believer’s faith in Christ (Romans 6:1-4)
Because in baptism the believer follows, the example set by Christ.
Mark 1:9 “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.”
Because in baptism the believer obeys Christ’s command.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
Because in baptism the believer demonstrates his love for Christ.
1John 2:3 “We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.”
Application
Christian Baptism requires…
The proper candidate
The proper practice