WATER BAPTISM
NR 11/11/12 Ready, Set, GROW!!
Water baptism is not just a routine or a ritual. It is a testimony of belief in and commitment to Jesus. Serving the Lord is a serious commitment. When a person is baptized it is a very special time in their spiritual life and growth in the Lord.Teen Brought Luggage to Her Baptism
When Texas pastor Jim Denison was in college, he served as a summer missionary. While there he attended a small church. At one of the church’s worship services, a teenage girl came forward to announce her decision to follow Christ and be baptized.
During the service, Denison noticed some worn-out luggage leaning against the wall of the church building. He asked the pastor about it. The pastor pointed to the girl who had just been baptized and told Denison, “Her father said that if she was baptized as a Christian she could never go home again. So she brought her luggage.”
Raymond McHenry, Stories for the Soul (Hendrickson, 2001), p. 48
When Jesus died on the cross it was a total commitment on His part. He did it for us. He gave us the gift of eternal life, the gift of forgiveness of sin. Our commitment to Him is just as serious.
Today I will give a brief outline of baptism. You have a good outline of the topic in your notes.
In studying the Bible we find that Christians were baptized. What does the Bible say about baptism? Following the teaching of the Bible in water baptism is very important. As Christians, we strive to do what God’s Word commands. This includes baptism.
Water Baptism is one of the ordinances of the church. What is an ordinance? It is a thing commanded. The ordinance is given to us from the Bible, commanded of God. Because it is commanded by God, we do it.
When Jesus left this world, He told the disciples to baptize believers. Water baptism is a matter of obedience to God.
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
From the very beginning, the church has been following this command. On the day of Pentecost we read:
Acts 2:41 NKJV
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
BAPTISM IS FOR CHRISTIANS. Baptism will not save you.
Baptismal Regeneration - this is the term used by some to be a sign that salvation that comes through baptism. However, baptism does NOT save us. I John 1:7 says that the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. It is the blood, not the baptism, that saves. If you are not already saved, baptism will do you no good, in fact it could hurt you. You could easily say that you don’t need to ask Jesus into your heart, since a church somewhere has already baptized you. This is where infant baptism is so dangerous spiritually, because people think they are set, because they were sprinkled as a child.
WHAT DOES BAPTISM REALLY MEAN?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
Baptism represents an IDENTIFICATION of the believer with Christ. We are made complete in Jesus,
Colossians 2:10 NKJV
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
As Christians, we want to be like Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 NKJV
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
We identify with Christ’s CRUCIFIXION/DEATH.
Romans 6:3 NKJV
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Verse 6
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
The old man, the old nature of sin that controls you is destroyed. We don’t serve sin any more. It is only through the Blood of Jesus that any person can overcome sin.
We identify with Christ’s BURIAL.
Romans 6:4 NKJV
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:11-12 Living Bible
When you came to Christ He set you free from your evil desires, not by a bodily operation of circumcision but by a spiritual operation, the baptism of your souls. For in baptism you see how your old, evil nature died with Him and was buried with Him; and then you came up out of death with Him into a new life because you trusted the Word of the mighty God who raised Christ from the dead.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Baptism is a beautiful picture of the burial of the old nature and the resurrection to newness of life in Jesus. The old nature is dead, and life is only thorough what Jesus is doing. Because the old nature was crucified, you can live free from its bondage and terror.
We identify with Christ’s RESURRECTION.
Romans 6:5 NKJV
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
We have new life in Jesus. We have a Christ-like life, NEW!!!!!
Romans 6:4 NKJV
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:6 NKJV
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
The identification is followed completely as the person is immersed completely in the water. A beautiful picture of what Christ did for us. He died for us, He didn’t faint. Total commitment.
THE MANNER/MODE OF BAPTISM
The Greek word for Baptism literally means dip, immerse. This was the way the early church baptized.
There is a Biblical and simple way to answer the question of the mode of baptism. If you had no previous teaching on the subject (absolutely no previous mental pictures of what baptism should be), and just looked through the Scriptures, this is what you would find:
1. Baptism requires WATER
Acts 8:36 NKJV
Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
2. Baptism requires MUCH WATER
John 3:23 NKJV
Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
3. The participants go down INTO the water
Acts 8:38 NKJV
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
4. Baptism requires BURIAL in the water
Romans 6:4 NKJV
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12 NKJV
buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
5. Baptism requires COMING UP out of the water
Matthew 3:16 NKJV
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
Acts 8:39 NKJV
Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
THE CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM, WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
The person seeking water baptism must first of all be truly born again. It is only for believers. In the Bible we find people being baptized AFTER they are saved. In every situation in the Bible where it says people were baptized it is done in connection with or subsequent to believing in Jesus.
Acts 2:41 NKJV
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Acts 8:12-13 NKJV
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
Acts 8:36-37 NKJV
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Acts 9:17-18 NKJV
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
Acts 10:47-48 NKJV
“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Salvation
II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
John 1:12 NKJV
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Acts 3:19 NKJV
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
When should a Christian be baptized? The Biblical way was to baptize when a person got saved, ie. Peter at the house of Cornelius. Christians should be baptized as soon as possible after conversion.
Baptism is a powerful testimony of what Jesus has done in your life. It is an outward sign of an inward commitment.
