Water Baptism Introduction What Is Water Baptism? How Is It Related to Our Salvation? Jesus Christ Is Pre-Eminent Col 1:13-20
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Trust & Obey Sep 14, 2014 Water Baptism Introduction What is water baptism? How is it related to our salvation? Jesus Christ is Pre-eminent Col 1:13-20 Background Church History The Word: βαπτιζο “baptizo” to dip or immerse The emphasis: to ___________, something is being identified with something else Real Baptisms The baptism of ____________ 1 Cor 10:1-2 The baptism of the ________ Mk 10:38; Matt 26:39; John 18:11 The baptism of the _________ ____________ 1 Cor 12:13 The baptism of Fire Lk 3:16-17 Water or Ritual Baptisms The baptism of ___________ John 1:29-34 a demonstration of repentance and preparation to receive the Messiah The baptism of ____________ Matt 3:13-17 a demonstration of His role as Messiah, and the beginning of His public ministry The baptism of _____________ A public display of a believer’s identification with Christ, an outward demonstration of what God has done on the inside, buried and raised up with Christ 1 Cor 15:3-4; Rom 6:3-5 Examples On the Day of Pentecost Acts 2:40-42 Philip in Samaria Acts 8:5,12 The Ethiopian, Acts 8:34-38 The Gentiles at Caesarea Acts 10:47-48 Lydia of Thyatira Acts 16:14-15 New believers in Corinth Acts 18:8 1 Trust & Obey Sep 14, 2014 Summary Points on Baptism 1. The emphasis of the word used in the NT is “to identify.” Determined by the context, someone or some group of people are being identified in some way with God, or God’s Plan. 2. Baptism is not required for a person to be saved. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Eph 2:8-9. Baptism is an act of obedience by a person after they have trusted in Christ. 1 Cor 1:13-17 3. Baptism is not a sacrament. It does not impart any mystical spiritual blessing on the person being baptized. It does not wash away the original sin. It does not make a person more spiritual. Baptism is a visual demonstration of what God has already done in the life of the believer – buried with Christ, raised to walk in newness of life. Rom 6:1-4 4. The church tradition of baptizing infants is inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture. The attempt to connect NT water baptism with OT infant circumcision is unfounded. Scripture does not support the church tradition of infant baptism. Of concern, one who has been baptized as an infant may falsely conclude they are part of the Body of Christ, part of the Church, and that they are right with God, and do not need saved. Also common, genuine believers rationalize they do not need to be baptized since they were sprinkled as a baby. The ritual of infant baptism demonstrated the religious conviction of well-meaning parents, but has no meaning in the life of the believer. It is rather sad, that a believer who has been “rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred into the kingdom of Christ” is not EAGER to demonstrate their love and obedience to Jesus - for all that He has done. 5. For a local church, the baptism of believers is the greatest cause of celebration. Baptism is a public celebration of the supernatural work of God in the life of the believer. There is no greater human experience than being “born again.” It has eternal significance. There is no greater cause for celebration. 6. Even Jesus was baptized, in obedience to the Father’s Plan. In the life of the new believer, baptism should be one of the early, normal steps, that one takes to begin down the road of being a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. As with Jesus, the believer is publically identifying themselves with the Plan of God for their life. Have you trusted in Christ for salvation? Have you been baptized since you trusted in Christ? 2 .