"Why Baptism?"

Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20

If God was “well pleased” at the baptism of His Son, Jesus, then I believe I am safe to say that He is well pleased with the decision of the those who will be baptized this afternoon!

I can share this message on “Why Baptism?” with CONFIDENCE & AUTHORITY because immersion in water of a believer in Jesus Christ was and is God’s idea in the first place!

My AIM or GOAL this morning is for you is twofold: First, that you would understand what God’s Word says about baptism, and second, that if you have not yet done so, you would be baptized “…in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!”

I. The Baptism of Jesus – (Matt 3:13-15)

We begin our study with the Baptism of Jesus and in order to understand the conversation between Jesus and His cousin John the Baptist, we must read (John 1:6)

John 1:6 NIV

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.”

HOLD THAT THOUGHT as we consider a few Observations from the Scriptures:

A. John tries to prevent Jesus Christ from being baptized – (Matt 3:13-14)

Why? A: John was baptizing repentant sinners but he knew that Jesus was sinless.

B. The necessity of Jesus Christ’s baptism – (Matt 3:15) — “…to fulfill all righteousness.”

C. The events surrounding Jesus Christ’s baptism

1. The baptism itself – (Mark 1:9) — “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”

2. Jesus Christ prays while being baptized – (Luke 3:21) — “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened”

3. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus Christ

(Mark 1:10) — “As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”

(John 1:32–34) — 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”

4. The voice of the Father is heard – (Matthew 3:17) — And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

These words were repeated at the transfiguration!

Matthew 17:5 NIV84

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Hebrews 1:5 NIV84

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?

Hebrews 5:1–6 NIV84

Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

· When did the “Word” of God become the “Son” of God?

· When did the “…today I have become your Father” occur?

· When did Jesus the Son become “the Christ” (the Anointed One)?

ANSWER: At Jesus’ BAPTISM, He was anointed with the Holy Spirit!

D. Initially, Jesus baptized His disciples/followers – (John 3:22-27)

E. Later, Jesus’ disciples were baptizing other disciples – (John 4:1-2)

II. The Practice of Baptism!

A. Baptism is ordained by Jesus Christ himself – (Matt 28:19)

“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,”

The early Church was obedient to this commissioning!

Acts 1:8; 2:37-38; 9:17-18; 16:14-15)

Acts 1:8 NIV84

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:37–39 NIV84

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 9:17–18 NIV84

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

Acts 16:14–15 NIV84

One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

B. Baptism is linked with repentance – (Acts 2:38)

“Peter replied, ‘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.’”

C. Baptism follows the decision to believe!

Acts 2:41 NIV84

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

Acts 8:12–13 NIV84

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Acts 16:31–33 NIV84

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

Ironically, this is one of the primary passages used to both support (“all his family were baptized”) AND negate (“Believe and you will be saved…”) the practice of infant baptism!

The practice of infant baptism did not gain wide acceptance until Augustine (AD 354-430), which weakens the argument that infant baptism is described in Acts 16.

I/we do not practice infant baptism because Infants can neither repent nor believe!

(Acts 2:39) — “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 18:8 NIV84

Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

HOWEVER, under the new covenant it is faith in Jesus Christ, not an outward sign that makes a person a child of God.

Galatians 3:7 NIV84

Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.

Galatians 3:26–29 NIV84

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

D. Baptism is in the Name of the Trinity (God) or Jesus Christ!

1. Baptism in or into the name of Jesus Christ

(Acts 19:5) — On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

(Acts 2:38) — Peter replied, “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.

(Acts 10:48) — 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.

2. Baptism in the name of the Trinity

(Matt 28:19) — “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,”

E. Baptism was (and should be) by immersion!

The Greek word “baptizō” which means to ‘dip, plunge, or immerse in water.’

Romans 6:4 NIV84

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.

Acts 8:38 NIV84

And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

The practice of pouring and sprinkling did not occur for hundreds of years (no one can state for sure when) and was a result of the practice of waiting until the end of life before being baptized (called ‘clinical’ baptism), to keep from amassing a great amount of sins before being “washed!”

For me, the issue is the authority of the Word of God. If the intended meaning of baptizō is to immerse in water, then I do not believe the Pope, a Council, a legislature, or Denominational leaders (Bishops or Presbyters) have the authority to change the manner of baptism.

It is NOT a measure or test of FAITH or FELLOWSHIP! I do NOT question a person’s salvation, but neither will I say, suggest, or imply that it doesn’t matter how a person is baptized.

WHY CHANGE THE SYMBOL? Especially when obedience is easy & simple.

I’ve experienced folks who argued, “What about the guy in the middle of the desert who accepts Christ? Will he go to hell because he wasn’t baptized?”

My response is, “Well, he crawled up the next dune and on the other side was an oasis with lovely palm trees and he was baptized in the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit!”

To suggest in our current situation that lack of water should shape our practice of baptism is a weak argument.

Sprinkling or pouring does not convey the identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ described in (Rom 6:4-5)!

F. Manifestations of the Holy Spirit may follow or precede water baptism

(Acts 8:12–17) — after baptism; (Acts 9:17–18; 10:44-48) — before baptism.

G. The person who baptizes is of little importance – (1 Cor 1:14)

“I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,”

H. Baptism “for the dead” – (1 Cor 15:29)

— Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?

III. The Significance of Baptism!

Synopsis: The NT uses a variety of images to explain the meaning of baptism.

A. Jesus used Baptism as a symbol of His impending death!

Twice, Jesus Christ described his death as a baptism or a flood overwhelming him.

(Luke 12:50) — But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

(Mark 10:38–39) — 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,

B. Baptism is a symbol of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ! – (Rom 6:3-7)

Dying to sin, symbolized by baptism, is described as a lifelong process:

(Romans 8:13) — “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, “

(Col 3:5) — “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

C. Baptism is a symbol of being saved from JUDGMENT (the Flood)! – (1 Pet 3:21)

D. Baptism is the NT equivalent of circumcision – (Colossians 2:11–12)

E. Baptism symbolizes washing from sin – (Acts 2:38; 22:16)

F. Baptism is a symbol of putting on Christ – (Galatians 3:27)

“…for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

G. Baptism as a symbol of unity! – (Eph 4:5)

1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV84

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Water Baptism of New Converts in the Book of Acts

At Pentecost, 3,000 were baptized by Peter and the apostles

Acts 2:41

At Samaria, many were baptized by Philip the evangelist

Acts 8:12

At Gaza, the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized by Philip

Acts 8:38

At Damascus, Paul was baptized by Ananias

Acts 9:18

At Caesarea, Peter baptized Cornelius and his friends

Acts 10:48

At Philippi, Paul baptized Lydia and the Philippian jailor

Acts 16:15, 33

At Corinth, Paul baptized Crispus, Gaius, Stephanas, and others

Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:14, 16

At Ephesus, Paul baptized some followers of John the Baptist[1]

Acts 19:3-5

[1]H.L. Willmington, Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1987), 34.