"Baptism"
What
is baptism? How important is it? Is it necessary for salvation? Has baptism played
an important role in your Christian journey?
Jesus’ example…
Matthew 3.13-17…Jesus gave His
divine sanction to baptism
Matthew 28.18-20…Jesus taught His
disciples to baptize. In fact He required those who follow Him to not only be baptized,
but also to baptize in order to become a part of His church.
Their baptism would demonstrate that
they had entered into a personal relationship with Christ. It also showed that they were
committed to living in harmony with His Kingdom principles: following Jesus and living for
Him.
Baptism and salvation…
Mark
16.16…in the New Testament church baptism automatically followed acceptance of
Christ. It was a confirmation of the new believer’s faith (Act 8.12; 16.30-34).
Baptism is linked to salvation, but it
is no guarantee.
1 Corinthians 10.1-5…Israel’s
experience: they were baptized into Moses as they passed through the Red Sea. But their
baptism didn’t protect them from doubt and complaining and being destroyed in the
wilderness. Note Paul’s caution in verses 11 and 12.
“One baptism”…Ephesians 4.5…
In
the Christian church today we have several forms of baptism:
Immersion – dipping, or submerging
under the water
Aspersion – sprinkling
Affusion – pouring
What
does the Bible reveal?
The
word “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptizo” meaning “to immerse”.
Jesus’ example in Matthew 3
reveals the true Bible baptism.
Only one form of baptism really fits
its symbolic meaning:
Baptism marks the entrance into Christ’s spiritual
kingdom – His church…
Romans 6.1-4…. It unites the
believer to Christ in a public way.
1. Symbolic of Christ’s death and
resurrection.
2. Symbolic of our being dead to sin and
alive to God.
“Dead to sin” – baptism
symbolizes the crucifixion of the old selfish, self-centered way of thinking and living.
Colossians 2.12…we are buried
with Christ in baptism. The old way of life has been buried – it has passed away. We
have vowed to renounce worldly thinking and ungodly living.
In the New Testament church the call to
repentance included the call to be baptized (Acts 2.38).
Baptism is an outward expression of
true repentance. It is an outward expression of an inner cleansing. It is the washing away
of sins that have been confessed.
Alive to God – baptism also
symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. It is an expression of our faith in Christ’s
resurrection power working in our life. It enables us to walk in newness of life (Romans
6.4,11).
Baptism is an expression of our
“victory” in grace through the overcoming power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
This is not some figment of our imagination – it’s real power to live.
Covenant Relationship…baptism is also symbolic of our
covenant relationship with God.
In
Old Testament times, circumcision marked the covenant relationship made between God and
Abraham and his offspring (Genesis 17).
Christ’s death ratified the New
Covenant between God and mankind. People entered this covenant through spiritual
circumcision (Colossians 2.11-12). It is a response of faith to Jesus’ death on the
cross for us.
Baptism is the sign of a saving
relationship with Jesus. It represents a “spiritual circumcision” from sin
… Colossians 2.11-12.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit and “fire” – Matthew 3.11…
In
the New Testament church the outpouring of the Holy Spirit generally followed water
baptism. The Holy Spirit prepares us for ministry by purifying our hearts from sin. He
provides us with His gifts to be of service to the church and the world (Ephesians
4.11-13).
The
baptism of the Holy Spirit gave the early church the power to witness wonderfully for God.
The Fruit of baptism seen in the believer’s daily life…
1. A
life lived for Christ (Colossians 3.1,2; 2 Peter 1.2).
- A life lived for Christ’s church
(1 Peter 2.25; Ephesians 4.6,12; 1 Corinthians 12.12-26).
- A life lived in the world for those of
the world (Matthew 28.18-20; John 17.15). Faithfulness to our baptismal covenant involves
leading others into the Kingdom of God.
Appeal: God is making His appeal to each of
us through the Apostle Paul in Acts 22.16. God is anxiously waiting for you to enter into
the abundant life He so graciously has provided.