Baptism: 3 Titles Or 1 Name? 2:9-10]
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SFT’s Home Friendship Group Topic Week Used: August 2019 “life-giving Spirit” (I Corinthians 15:45, NKJV). [Read Colossians Baptism: 3 Titles or 1 Name? 2:9-10] Then, do the Purpose (Goals) and Guidelines “Father,” “Son,” and “Holy Ghost” are descriptions of positions, PRAY FIRST: functions, or relationships, but they can hardly be described as proper Have you ever been baptized? If so, what names. Even if they were, which of these is the singular name that we ICE BREAKER: do you remember about that experience? should call on? Jesus declared He had all power (authority); therefore, they would baptize in the name. What name has all power? The Bible WORSHIP: (Worship. Wait. ) TESTIMONIES: answers the question for us [Read Philippians 2:10 Ephesians 1:21]. (Listed in the topic) SCRIPTURES: TOPIC: In Luke’s account of the commissioning of the apostles, the Lord first opened their understanding to the Scriptures before calling them to go The Apostolic faith is known for its distinctive doctrines. Perhaps no to all nations to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name doctrine is more misunderstood than our teaching concerning baptism (Luke 24:45–47). Matthew recorded that the Great Commission was in the name of Jesus Christ. Our insistence that every believer must given after some of the disciples doubted Him (Matthew 28:17–20). be baptized in water calling on the Lord’s name is rooted in our desire Jesus assured them He was all they needed. Since He has all power, to be obedient to the specific instructions regarding baptism by they were to teach all nations all things that He commanded. He following the biblical pattern. would be with them at all times. They were to baptize in His name because all of God’s plan for relationship, redemption, and Shortly before ascending to Heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples sanctification of men was fulfilled in Him. He not only was the Son that to “go . and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the laid down His life, but He also was the very God that created men and Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). would infill, sanctify, and transform them with His presence. He was There is no record of any of the disciples repeating His words as a Jesus, Jehovah the Savior. They had the authority in His name, which baptismal formula. Instead, we find they invoked the name of Jesus is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to baptize for the when performing baptisms (Acts 2:38; 8:12; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16). remission of sins. This practice should not surprise us. Jesus came in His Father’s name This is not just an issue of semantics. Water baptism is more than (John 5:43) and is one with the Father (John 10:30). He claimed to be simply a public testimony or a requirement to join the church. Baptism in the Father and also to be indwelled by the Father (John 14:11). He is an essential component of conversion [Read Mark 16:16]. Peter told Philip, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, wrote, “Baptism doth also now save us” (I Peter 3:21). Since baptism NKJV). Jesus also promised that the Holy Ghost would come in His is part of the salvation experience, it was performed in the name of name (John 14:26). Christ was the truth, but when He went away, the Jesus [Read Acts 4:12]. Spirit of truth would come. He would not leave them comfortless; He would come to them (John 14:6, 16–17). Paul described Christ as the In the early church, agreeing to baptism was an expected initial expression of faith. The good news must be believed in the heart and confessed with the mouth. Arguably, the biggest difference between the monotheistic Jewish faith that most of the first Christians came out of and their Christian faith was belief in the preeminence of Christ and HFG – Goals & Guidelines the sufficiency of His atonement. Converts confessed faith in Jesus at GROW IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD: baptism, when they called on His name and had His name called over Our goal is to know and follow Jesus Christ. them. We see an example of this when Paul rebaptized John’s ● Each of us should experience “New Birth” in Christ disciples [Read Acts 19:4-5]. ● Complete a Bible Study & New Life Discipleship Course and From the beginning, the church preached that baptism was for the Ministry Discovery Course & Cell Servant Training. remission of sins [Read Acts 2:38]. When Peter preached Jesus to Cornelius’s household, he stated, “Through his name whosoever GROW IN RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER: believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). Peter Our goal is to love each other as we love ourselves. ● Each of us should look for ways to care for our fellow Small then commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts Group Members 10:48). ● We should find a place to serve in our Local church. In water baptism, the death and burial of Jesus Christ is applied and appropriated by faith [Read Romans 6:3-4]. Baptism in the name of GROW IN NUMBER, AND GROW LEADERS WHO WILL GROW NEW GROUPS: Jesus is more than just a commandment; it is a privilege. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” ● Our goal is to continually reach out and invite others to join our (Galatians 3:27). group. ● Continually develop leaders who will multiply and build Have you obeyed the Lord’s command? Has the name of Jesus been another strong Home Friendship Group called over you in water baptism? Are you clothed with Christ’s righteousness? [Read Acts 22:16] HOME FRIENDSHIP GROUP GUIDELINES 1. We will all share equally in ownership of the meeting, by picked us! hosting the meetings from house to house. 2. Sharing will be brief and courteous (We will endeavor to stay on topic and refrain from storytelling that is irrelevant to the 1. Why is baptism important? subject being discussed) 2. Why did John the Baptist baptize? Why did the church baptize 3. We will attempt to be transparent with one another and keep in the Book of Acts? matters shared in the group in strict confidence. 3. Why should believers be baptized today? 4. We will attempt to bring visitors and be sensitive to their walk 4. How did the early church baptize? with God. 5. Why did John the Baptist’s disciples want to be re-baptized? 5. We will attempt to be faithful and punctual in attendance and 6. How can an individual use this information to disciple others? let our cell servant know when we cannot attend. 6. We will refrain from making negative comments about any denomination. .