Baptism

Intro

What a joy it is to see someone take the plunge in baptism.... to be obedient to follow Jesus in this specific act!

This morning I wanted to take a moment and look at Baptism..... Why we baptize? How we baptize? What does it symbolize?

Baptism “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” (Baptist Faith and Message 2000).

Ordained by Jesus

Through Faith in Jesus

Symbolizes being United with Jesus and others

Where does this act of baptism occur in the Bible? A great place to begin our time this morning....

John the Baptist in the wilderness - an act showing the repentance of sins.... baptism in water

This baptism may have been similar to the cleansing rituals and laws put in place in the OT law..... to make sure the priests were ready

Mikveh - ritual bathing - used for those converting to Judaism

Whatever led John the Baptist and Jesus to Baptism it was because of God’s plan to do so!

Jesus comes along and says, John I want you to baptize me......

a. imagery of what Jesus will accomplish

b. purification and setting aside for the mission ahead.

c. to fulfill all righteousness.... meaning that this act is for those who are righteous.

Ordained by Jesus

Ordinance - It was commanded by Jesus, It was ordained by Jesus by His authority.... We are baptized to obey Jesus.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

By immersion -

Historically - The early church understood this to mean, baptism by immersion

Most early descriptions of baptism were from a confession of faith and an act following that commitment...... sometimes after a year of teaching, and also naked and then clothed upon coming out of the water.

It wasn’t until the 5th century that there was an acceptance of infant baptism, but it was associated with the continuation of the OT circumsicion and not what the person believed.

Romans 6:1-6 - baptizo

Romans 6:2–6 ESV

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.

We could go dig a grave outside and bury someone and dig them up, but I for one am glad water gives us that imagery as well

A real life Church example - Going into and out of the water.

Acts 8:38–39 ESV

38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Baptism is an outward step of obedience for a follower of Jesus!

an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace - Augustine

Wedding Ring analogy - It;s not a Lord of the rings moment...... Your wedding ring does not have power.... it is a symbol of the your marriage vows it is not the source of your marriages success!

Through Faith in Jesus

In 5th grade, I came to know Jesus as my Savior.... 10 years old, but I did not want to walk down the aisle..... eventually I met with the Pastor one on one and I was baptized closer to 12 years old...... Timing wasn’t the main issue...... it was my faith in Jesus!

Colossians 2:12 ESV

12 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.

Paul makes it clear that the issue of baptism is based on FAITH..... through FAITH is the key essential

1. Baptism does not save you

2. Baptism follows the acceptance of the gift of faith in Jesus Christ

Baptism that precedes faith is not a legitimate

Krystle..... Baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church in Virginia.....

Came to know Jesus in middle school......

“Because it does not save you.... therefore I do not have to do it”

Junior in High School..... came to this point

An act of obedience.... If you love me, you will obey my commandments. Y2K.....will I be left behind in the rapture?!

Finding every excuse not to do it, because I did not do it in the beginning.....

Christmas eve Junior Year oh HS she was baptized!

United with Jesus and the Church

United with Jesus

Let me be buried in baptism that I may show to all around that I believe I was one with my Lord in his death and burial for sin. - Spurgeon

Baptism shows to all around that you believe this! You are united with Jesus!

Romans 6:3–4 (ESV)

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.

Paul’s emphasis “in Christ”

in Christ (Eph. 2:10), crucified with him (Gal. 2:20), buried with him (Col. 2:12), baptized into Christ and his death (Rom. 6:3), united with him in his resurrection (Rom. 6:5), and seated with him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6); Christ is formed in believers (Gal. 4:19) and dwells in our hearts (Eph. 3:17); the church is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 6:15; 12:27); Christ is in us (2 Cor. 13:5) and we are in him (1 Cor. 1:30); the church is one flesh with Christ (Eph. 5:31–32); believers gain Christ and are found in him (Phil. 3:8–9).

Furthermore, in Christ we are justified (Rom. 8:1), glorified (8:30), sanctified (1 Cor. 1:2), called (1:9); made alive (Eph. 2:5), created anew (2 Cor. 5:17), adopted (Gal. 3:26), and elected (Eph. 1:4–5). quoted from - https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things-you-should-know-about-union-with-christ/

In a way that gloriously transcends our finite understanding, we are really and truly joined—spiritually and bodily—to the crucified, resurrected, incarnate person of Christ. There is no better news than this.

Baptism is the “gospel in water,” allowing us to experience in our bodies the truth that we are immersed forever into Jesus Christ. - Packer

United with Others

1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Baptism is not a magical ritual, but it is special moment in the life of the believer and in the life of the local church family!

Baptism is a uniting moment for the church because it reveals what we all believe and need.... the Gospel of Jesus!

What is your attitude towards others being baptized? Celebration? Clapping? - Amen! ??

Baptism unites us because it shows the mission of the church being fulfilled - Making disciples!

We are seeing the church making legacy.....making disciples that make disciples!

Baptism is Obedience in following Jesus!

Baptism is a reminder of unity because we all are in need of the Gospel!

The message of Baptism is not about you! It’s about God! It’s about being united with Jesus and united with Others! It is the Gospel on Display!

Conclusion

Have you been baptized after coming to saving faith in Jesus?

Are you ready to celebrate with Joseph? celebrate with Isaac next week? Celebrate when the waters are stirred?

Pray for more baptisms in the year ahead! Let us be a church that makes disciples that make more disciples!