Baptism

Open with prayer

Review: What are some things you’ve learned in your Bible reading this week?

I. Examining what baptism is as we see it in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)

II. Studying the topic and doctrines of Baptism in Scripture

I. The Great Commission

Mt 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Therefore, when we are sharing the Gospel, our message of Christ is to be delivered with confirmation of receipt in the manner of true conversion.

Baptism symbolizes:

• The Termination of an old life and the beginning of a new life in the Triune God.

• Our Claim to live in God's family, according to His commands and for His glory.

• Our Reconciliation to God the Father through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Union with Christ: Baptism symbolizes a union with Christ in His death and resurrection.

• New life: Baptism signifies that the baptized person is saved and given a new life by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our reception of the Holy Spirit changes our life and makes us a new, spiritual creation.

• Reconciliation and Relationship with God: Baptism represents reconciliation to God the Father through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Baptism indicates that the baptized person enters into a relationship with God, in which God becomes the owner of the baptized person. It is our death to sin and being raised to live a new life in Christ.

• Victory and a Reminder that Christ rose from the dead.

In it we see:

The Triune Nature of God: Baptism acknowledges that God is three-in-one, or triune, meaning that God is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

That We are Claimed by God: Baptism declares that our lives have been claimed by God.

Prayer: When saying, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen", we are asking God for His grace and power over all of our being.

II. Baptism

Lk 3:21–22 “Now it happened that when all the people were being baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Our baptism follows Christ’s example. It marked the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry. God honored the baptism of His Son, and it pleased Him. At Christ’s baptism, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven upon Jesus.

Lk 23:42–43 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

There does not appear to be time for an immersion baptism to have occurred here from the cross, yet Christ declares to the penitent thief beside Him on the cross that he will be with Him that day in paradise. There are easy conclusions to draw from this passage.

Mk 16:16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

Lack of belief equals condemnation. Baptism is a confirmation of a belief in Christ that is faithful unto obedience. The evidence of salvation is obedience.

Ac 2:41 “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

Evidence of the Apostles following the example of John the Baptist and the example of Christ. Evidence of the response to the act of the Holy Spirit moving people to receive Christ as Savior. Confirmation that it is not necessary to wait to be baptized.

1 Pe 3:21 “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal of a good conscience to God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

*Immersion into Christ as the Arc of Safety. Does baptism save you? (No)

Ac 2:38 “And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The two actions are listed together. The clarity is that the believer whose life is one of obedient response to Christ (which when aware of the command to be baptized, will be baptized) will receive the Holy Spirit.

Ac 22:16 ‘Now why do you delay? Rise up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’

Again, the urgency, for the commissioning (ref Lk 3:21-22). This was a specific call to one who knew the Scriptures, and having been called of Christ, was now ready to act on what he knew as a Christian (Paul).

Jn 3:5 “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

With whom was Jesus speaking in this passage? (Nicodemus) What do both the water and the Spirit represent in this passage? (birth from the womb – water, and birth of repentance from sin – Spirit) Is being born of either here representative of baptism? (No)

Ro 6:3–11 Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died has been justified from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

This is the picture of baptism. Baptism enables us to understand having united with Christ in His death and His resurrection.

The promises we make at baptism:

(we enter into a covenant with God)

1. to bear responsibility for the name of Jesus Christ,

2. always remember Him,

3. keep His commandments,

4. and serve Him to the end.

Things we take from our study about Baptism:

• Baptism is God's idea. Lk 3:21–22

• Baptism doesn't save you. Lk 23:42-43

• Baptism is an act of obedience. Mk 16:16, Acts 22:16

• Baptism identifies us with Christ and His church. Acts 2:41

• Water baptism is a testimonial symbol of our new life in Christ. Jn 3:5

Close with prayer