The Power of Baptism

What do you all know about baptism? What does the word mean?

Baptize comes from the Greek word Baptizō, which means to immerse.

The word means to immerse. Baptize means to immerse. Tonight we are going to talk about two different type of immersion tonight. Baptism of water and to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Power in the Blood

Does water baptism have the power to save you? No. Are you worthy of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you? No. So who/what saves you? Makes you worthy of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you? The blood of Christ. John in verse 29 proclaims “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” To understand why Christ had to die such a bloody death we must go back to the OT. Leviticus 4-5 lay out the laws for sin offerings.

When sin occured blood has to be shed in order for forgiveness to occur (Leviticus 4-5).

Blemish free certain animals were used. The animals were innocent, “perfect”, but had to pay the ultimate price.

Why does blood have to be shed?

Sin is ugly, and their is a price to be paid. The sacrifices reminded the people their was consequences to their sin, it wasn’t an innocent consequence free act. It was a visual reminder of wrath to come if they persisted in their sin. We see blood sacrifices even foreshadowed in Genesis 3:21

Genesis 3:21 ESV

And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

Adam and eve had made garments from leaves but this was not good enough to atone for their sins.

Show crucifixion clip

Jesus was completely innocent, never done a wrong on purpose or accident. Jesus was and is completely perfect. Jesus fully took the price of the wrath and had it poured out on him unlike any lamb had ever had it poured out on (Hebrews 10:12).

Why does a price have to be paid for sin?

God is holy. We see him referred to as an all consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). What does fire do to impurities? Fire burns out the impurities.

When the impure comes before God something has to happen, the impure just cannot dwell in the presence of God unaffected. For God to be holy an eternal hellfire must exist.

Their has to be a painful reaction in order for God’s holiness to stay intact. If we were able to live consequence free God wold not be holy.

Baptism of Water

So of the two baptisms we will discuss tonight, this is the lesser of the two. John baptized with water. John pointed to Christ with his actions. John realized his position in relation to Christ. Water baptism symbolizes the internal things that have happened. Colossians 2:12-13 says:

Colossians 2:12–13 ESV

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Walk through symbolism seen in Colossians.

Baptism of water is not essential for salvation, but it is essential for obedience.

Various passages command it, two for example is Matthew 28:18-20 and Matthew 3:13-17. Not to be baptized is to walk in a state of sin, and your spiritual life can be hindered by this seemingly small act of disobedience. But the small things can often have the greatest impact. Think of eating from the tree in the garden. If God cannot trust you in the small things, what makes you think he can trust you with the big?

Luke 16:10 ESV

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Also now we all priest not just certain people. All believers are priest. 1 Peter 2:4-5 says:

1 Peter 2:4–5 ESV

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Who knows what type of ceremony a priest in the Old Testament had to go through? They had to be cleansed by water. Exodus 29:4 says:

Exodus 29:4 ESV

You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

What does a biblical baptism look like? Full immersion, not sprinkling.

Baptism of the Spirit

What do i mean by this? When you are saved the Holy Spirit immerses you with His presence. This baptism is only available through Jesus Christ, no man has the power to pour the Spirit out to baptize people with the Spirit. God has to do it.

Baptism of the Spirit is necessary for salvation.

When you get saved the Holy Spirit fills you. The Holy Spirit purifies you and empowers you to live a godly life. Several scriptures on what the Holy Spirit does.

John 14:17 ESV

even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

This scripture makes it clear the Spirit dwells in us. The Spirit does not just temporarily come upon you. You have became a holy temple. The Spirit is at constant work in you. Remember when you sin the Spirit is there weeping.

Verse 32 in what we read tonight also points to the Spirit dwelling

John 14:26 ESV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

The Spirit teaches you the word. Because of the Holy Spirit we are to get much deeper than the nonbeliever. We are reading Scripture through the lenses of the Holy Spirit. Their is depth and connections we will make a nonbeliever will never make. The Spirit will remind you of what you studied as you are being a witness to your neighbor.

Romans 8:14 ESV

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

The Holy Spirit directs your steps. That is why we pray about every decision, no matter how insignificant the decision may seem.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The Spirit molds you. Here are listed some characteristics that will become evident in your life. Not just one, but all. All nine are connected and show evidence of the change that has occured in you