PART 1 - THE MEANING OF BAPTISM
1. What does the word “baptism” mean?
The Word means… to put something into water – to dip – usually for washing or cleansing, or in this case, for special ceremonial significance.
2. Where does the idea of Christian baptism come from?
Christian baptism was ordained by Jesus himself, and practiced by the apostles and others in the early church, and throughout church history to this day.
a. Matthew 28:19-20 - "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
b. Notice: it is only “disciples” of Jesus who should be baptized. A disciple is one who has come to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior and who has decided to follow Jesus as Lord and King by faith.
3. Who should be baptized?
In Scripture, it is commanded and expected that all those who have believed in Jesus Christ and who have become his disciples should be baptized!
a. Acts 2:38 - "And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ… for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
b. Acts 2:41 - "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."
c. Acts 8:12 - "But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
d. Acts 22:16 - "And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name."
4. Does baptism save a person?
No! Baptism does not bring salvation – it is a ritual/symbolic enactment of the salvation that only comes through faith in Christ. Baptism is a response to our salvation, not the source of it. Or else, Paul would not have said… “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” 1 Corinthians 1:17
b. Also, no work or religious rite saves us, but rather, faith alone in Jesus is what saves us! “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
5. In what ways does the act of baptism symbolize our salvation?
DEATH – BURIAL – RESURRECTION IN UNION WITH CHRIST
Baptism symbolizes and confirms death and burial of the “old man” and resurrection of the “new man” in Christ. Thus, baptism is an enactment of our repentance from a life of sin and rebellion, and a pledge to live a new life of faith and obedience by the Spirit of God.
a. Romans 6:3-4 - "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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."
b. Colossians 2:12 - "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."
c. Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Conclusion: If you have not repented of your sin, and if you do not desire to live a new life of following Jesus, then you are not yet ready to be baptized. However, if you have repented of your sins, and it is your desire to live a new life of following Jesus by faith, then baptism is the appropriate symbol, and step of faith and obedience for you to take.
PASSING THROUGH JUDGMENT INTO GOD’S SAVED PEOPLE
Baptism is also symbolic of passing through the waters of death and judgment and landing safely on the other side as God’s saved and gathered people. In this way, baptism is symbolic of our entrance into the church – the gathering of all those who are believing in Jesus. This theme of passing through the waters of judgment by God’s salvation is repeated through Scripture:
d. RED SEA & THE EXODUS - 1 Corinthians 10:2 “and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea…”
e. THE WORLDWIDE FLOOD - 1 Peter 3:18-21 - "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…"
f. 1 Corinthians 12:13 - 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.
Conclusion: And so, baptism is not simply an individual act. You are being baptized INTO God’s saved community – the church.
6. What are the benefits of baptism?
JOY
• The joy of obedience to the command of Christ
• The joy of public profession of faith (going public as a follower of Jesus)
• An occasion of joy for the whole church body
ASSURANCE
• Helps to confirm and solidify the reality of a believer’s commitment to Christ
• Provides a measure of assurance by confirming your Christian identity – in this sense, baptism is God’s ordained “altar call” of coming to Jesus by faith… It is your line in the sand, that you can look back to as a confirmation of your new identity in Christ.
AFTER READING THIS EXPLANATION OF WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT BAPTISM, DO YOU FEEL THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE STEP FOR YOU TO TAKE? WHAT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS DO YOU STILL HAVE?
