the importance of baptism

Are you sure this is where you lost Jesus?

STORY

A drunk stumbled along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeded to walk down into the water and stood next to the

Preacher.

The minister turned and noticed the old drunk and said, "Mister, Are you ready to find Jesus?" The drunk looks back and says, "Yes, Preacher. I sure am."

The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up. "Have you found Jesus?" the preacher asks.

"No, I didn’t!" says the drunk.

The preacher then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up and says, "Now, brother, have you found Jesus?"

"No, I did not Preacher."

The preacher in disgust holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this time brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, "Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?"

The old drunk wipes his eyes and says to the preacher..."Are you sure this is where he fell in?"

This morning we aren’t looking for Jesus in the water – so why do we dunk people in the water? I take a bath and go swimming - Why is this different and what makes this important?

Matthew 3:6–17 (CSB)

6 and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 7 When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. 9 And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.” 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” 15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. 16 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

1. Baptism is the first Public act of obedience.

You will remember Jesus told His mother that His time had not yet come. When he prepared to enter Public ministry, then even the Lord Himself SOUGHT BAPTISM.

Institutes of the Christian Religion 1. The Meaning of Baptism

Baptism cis the sign of the initiation by which we are received into the society of the church, in order that, engrafted in Christ, we may be reckoned among God’s children. Now baptism was given to us by God cfor these ends (which I have taught to be common to all sacraments): first, to serve our faith before him; secondly, to serve our confession before men

A. BAPTISM IS A PICTURE.

In the Old Testament, the Lord gave lots of pictures from the Exodus plagues, the Tabernacle, the Temple and in the Torah. In Christ’s ministry as He fulfilled all the Law and the Purpose of Redemption, He gave us TWO ordinances, some traditions refer to them as SACRAMENTS.

It takes about 90 gallons to baptise a believer but only 9 drops of rain to keep him at home.

Baptism is not the end, but the beginning of a life dedicated to Christ

B. BAPTISM IS A PROCLAMATION. (v.6-8)

i. You declare the simplicity of the Gospel.

A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers (I. Meaning of Baptism)

This washing of repentance and knowledge of God has been ordained on account of the transgression of God’s people, as Isaiah cries. Accordingly, we have believed and testify that the very baptism which he announced is alone able to purify those who have repented. And this is the water of life.… For what is the use of that baptism which cleanses only the flesh and body? Baptize the soul from wrath and from covetousness, from envy, and from hatred. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.201.

ii. You Portray the two Truths of Conversion.

a. Christ died as your legal proxy and therefore God reckons you dead in Christ as payment for your sin debt.

Romans 6:23 CSB

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

b. You have put on Christ as your new nature and goal in life. (Repentance)

Galatians 3:27 CSB

27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.

the meaning of baptism is about participating in this ancient biblical pattern of going through the waters of death and following Jesus out the other side and into the new creation.

2. It is your Signature on the Covenant with Christ and His Church.

Romans 6:3–4 CSB

3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

A. In the Old Testament FAITH revealed itself by identifying Community of Israel and adherence to the Torah. (v.9)

B. In the New Testament Allegiance to God reveals itself identifying Jesus as the fulfillment of the Torah and in belonging to the Church. (v.11)

3. Baptism becomes a source of our Peace and Assurance. (v.16)

John 14:15–16 (CSB)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.

4. In baptism, we can experience the Father’s Pleasure. (v. 17)

Lexham Survey of Theology (Baptism)

Early reflections on baptism liken it to both to tomb and to womb: in baptism the sinful nature is put to death and life in Christ is put on (cf. Gal 3:27; Rom 13:14). This dual thematic emphasis, which was nearly universal among the early fathers, meant that immersion was the principal, if not the exclusive, means by which baptism was administered. Later, “infusion,” pouring of the water over the baptized’s head while saying the baptismal formula, and “affusion,” sprinkling water on the head of baptizand (cf. Ezek 36:25; Ps 51:7–9), also became acceptable modes of administering baptism, particularly for infants.

Matthew 3:6–17 (CSB)

6 and they were baptized by (John) in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 7 When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. 9 And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.” 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” 15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. 16 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

Lexham Survey of Theology (Baptism)

The New Testament envisages interior illumination, repentance, and confession of Jesus as Lord as the normative background to baptism (Acts 2:38; Rom 10:9), and the establishment of elaborate and rigorous catechumenal processes in various ecclesial contexts in the third and fourth centuries develop this pattern. Initial evangelization was followed by enrollment in the catechumenate for a period of one to three years for instruction in faith and morals prior to baptism.

A few preachers met for prayer and to discuss challenges they faced. The subject of bats in the bell tower came up. It turns out that each preacher struggled with that issue.

We see today a great emphasis on the immediacy of salvation and inclusion, but little seriousness taken in sanctification and responsibility.

We see people focus on fellowship or friendship more than follow-ship.

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross daily and come follow me.

While I don’t believe in withholding baptism from anyone who confesses Jesus, I also can’t fault the Catholics for saying, whoa now, there’s a great deal more to being a Christian than just checking off baptism.

Believers baptism

Rogers chapt 6

The Significance of Believer's Baptism by Lifeway Staff on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM Share:

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 and 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 word for baptize in Greek is baptizo, which means "to dip, plunge, submerge, or immerse." Baptism in the New Testament was related to the ministry of both John the Baptist and of Jesus. John's baptism was symbolic of one's repentance from sin and of willingness to participate in the kingdom of God (Matt. 3:6-8; Luke 3:3-16). Jesus submitted to John's baptism (Matt. 3:16) not to demote repentance but to authenticate John's ministry, to set an example for His followers, and to dedicate Himself publicly to His redemptive ministry. In so doing Jesus symbolized His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism translates baptisma, the meaning in the act of baptism, namely, a symbol of what Jesus did to save us - death, burial, and resurrection - and what He does in the believer - death to the old life, its burial, and resurrection to a new life in Christ. Keeping in mind the meaning of baptisma, what is the significance of believer's baptism? Is it sacramental in nature and necessary for salvation, or is it symbolic in nature? The word it self strongly suggests the latter. The idea of baptismal regeneration did not appear in Christian teachings until late in the second and early in the third centuries. However, by the late second and early third centuries, baptismal regeneration came to be accepted by the group that later evolved into the Roman Catholic Church. That immersion is the original form of baptism is generally agreed. Baptizo itself teaches that neither pouring nor sprinkling constitutes New Testament baptism. Because of the later belief in baptismal regeneration, the practice arose of pouring water all over a sick person. This was called clinical baptism. Later, water was poured only on the head. It should be noted that while the verbs for pour and sprinkle appear in the Testament, neither is used for baptism. No usage has been found where baptizo means either pour or sprinkle. The practice of sprinkling for baptism gradually replaced immersion in the Catholic Church and when it divided into the Roman and Greek branches, the latter retained immersion. It was not until the 13th century that sprinkling became the official mode of Roman Catholic baptism.

Rejoice in adoption!

Get refined in the fire

John said that whereas he baptised with water, Jesus would baptise ‘with the Holy Spirit and fire’ (Matthew 3:11). The Holy Spirit will come like a refining fire to bring power and purity in your life. Knowing the refining fire of the Spirit in this life means that you can be free from the fear of the fire of judgment when Jesus returns (v.12).

Be filled with peace

When Jesus was baptised and came out of the water, ‘heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him’ (v.16). The dove is a symbol of peace that the Holy Spirit brings to your life. The ‘fruit of the Spirit is… peace’ (Galatians 5:22).

Be assured of your adoption

A voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son’ (Matthew 3:17). Jesus is the Son of God in a unique way. However, the Holy Spirit assures all of us that through what Jesus has done for us, we too are sons and daughters of God: You receive the spirit of adoption. And by him you cry, ‘Abba, Father’. The Holy Spirit himself testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God (see Romans 8:15–16).

Know that you are loved by God

The voice from heaven said ‘… whom I love...’ (Matthew 3:17). The apostle Paul writes that God’s love for you is poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

Feel his pleasure

The voice from heaven says, ‘with him I am well pleased’ (Matthew 3:17). Again, it was supremely true of Jesus but as you walk in step with the Spirit, you too can experience this sense of God’s delight and pleasure.

Along with the Eucharist or Holy Communion, baptism is one of two sacraments instituted by Christ and recognized by virtually every Christian body. Baptism is established as an ordinance for the church by the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18–20, although many point to the example of Christ’s acceptance of baptism by John the Baptist, attested in all four canonical gospels, as a secondary foundation for the practice (Matt 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34).

Baptism may be defined as the sacrament of regeneration, as the biblical images used to describe it all link it to new life in Christ. The effect of baptism is disputed, with perhaps the majority of historic and contemporary Christians seeing it as the instrument through which regeneration is conferred upon the baptized. A number of Protestants see the effect of baptism as ambiguous, conferring grace only in some instances, while others see it as purely symbolic of the regeneration that occurs by faith.

Take away:

Get a concordance and read the passages about Baptism.

Why is Baptism a starting point?

Consider what areas of your life need to be re-baptized and commissioned.

Examine your baptismal commitment.

What did you tell God you would do at your baptism?

How have you continued to follow that promise?