The Next Awakening Part 4 - Baptisms

Today we continue our series titled The Next Awakening. This series was inspired in part by writings from Jonathan Edwards during the first great Awakening in the 1700s. Here is what he wrote that are signs of a genuine move of the Holy Spirit and true revival:

When esteem for the true Jesus is raised

When Satan’s kingdom is attacked (sin and worldly lusts)

When people come to love Scripture more

When men are led away from falsehood to truth (sound doctrine)

When there is an increase of love to God and man

We’ve been studying out of the book of 1 John, but today we are going to talk about what one of the outward signs of Awakening and revival is - Baptisms. I am so excited that we have so many that have come forward to be baptized. As I have shared with some of you, I believe this is just the start. I believe we are going to see a move of God that will result in many more being baptized in the months ahead.

I want to approach this morning with 3 Whys:

Why does the church baptize people?

Why baptism?

Why would someone get baptized?

Why does the church baptize people?

There are two ordinances that Jesus gave us instruction to do. The first is communion and the second is baptism. When we baptize people who come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are obeying scripture. So, the simple answer to our first why is because Jesus told us to. Turn to Matthew 28...Jesus rose from the dead, hung out with his disciples and then gave them and us this command:

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The first part of our mission as the church is to make disciples of all nations. God has sent us here to central Vermont to make disciples.

A disciple is someone who another person or way of life and submits their life to the discipline of following that leader or way.

A disciple of Christ follows Jesus and what he taught. A disciple of Christ submits themselves to the discipline of doing what Jesus said to do.

As a church, we are called to make disciples - to teach what Jesus taught, to lead others to Jesus - that they would give their life over to Jesus as a disciple.

When that happens, we are to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As a follow up to baptism, we as the church, not just the pastor or children’s directors, but as the church, we are to teach these new disciples to obey everything Jesus taught.

Why does the church baptize people?

We baptize because Jesus told us to.

Our second Why:

Why Baptism?

Turn with me to Romans 6 for the answer to this question.

Romans 6:3–4 NIV

3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Paul is teaching here about Baptism and that when we are baptized, we are identifying ourselves with Him in his death, burial and resurrection.

When raised out of the water, we are raised to new life in Christ. This new life technically starts at the moment Christ is received as Lord and Savior, but baptism gives us a symbolic action where we can look back and see where we have publically identified with Christ and in Christ we have NEW LIFE. Not just eternal life when we physically die, but new life here and now.

The word baptism comes from the Greek word Baptizo. There are several ways this word was used. One way was when a cloth was to be dyed a different color, it would be baptizoed…just so you know that is not proper Greek, but hang with me.

The white cloth was fully immersed and then completely covered in this new color. When it was pulled from the liquid, the identity of the fabric changed. It was new!

Those that will be baptized today are living a new life in Christ.

Why Baptism?

Because we identify with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection. Coming out of the water symbolizes our new life in Christ.

Our last Why:

Why would someone get baptized?

To answer this, I want to read a lengthy passage from Acts 10. The book of Acts talks about the early church and the things they did and saw. There are so many exciting things that happened in this time where they had no clue what they were doing. It was all new to the the disciples. They just kept preaching Jesus and following the leading of the Spirit as they went. Let’s read in verse 24:

Acts 10:24–48 NIV

24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” 27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Why would someone get Baptized?

Because God changed their life. These new believers in Caesarea were touched by God. They received the teaching of Peter about Jesus. His teaching was clear:

Acts 10:39–40 NIV

39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.

Jesus died on the cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day.

Jesus was seen…there were many witnesses. Jesus told the disciples to tell others that Jesus was the Messiah and that

Acts 10:43 NIV

43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Cornelius and those in his household believed. They placed their faith in Jesus. They became disciples of Jesus.

Peter remembering the command of Jesus to make disciples and baptize wasted no time and baptized them that day.

Why would someone get baptized?

They had the desire to be baptized because of the change in their life. They desired to follow Jesus, to do what he taught. They received forgiveness and new life and couldn’t help but want to be baptized.

Invitation to receive Christ...