Baptism

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

WHAT IS BAPTISM?

The first clear mention of Baptism in Biblical history came with John the Baptist.

Mark 1:1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; 3 THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.'" 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

John's baptism was a sign of repentance and forgiveness. Yet Biblically it was not JUST for these reasons. Jesus himself was baptized and he did not need to repent or be forgiven.

Matthew 3:13

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

Jesus' baptism points to the larger meaning of the act - It fulfilled righteousness.

Matthew 3:15

But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him.

It brought a unique experience with the Holy Spirit to Him.

Matthew 3:16

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,

A testimony came from the Father in heaven as to his identity and to whom he belonged.

Matthew 3:17

and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

These all point to the reality that the act of baptism has many layers of meaning. All of them relate to our relationship with God.

LET'S REVIEW:

BAPTISM IS:
THE SIGN OF REPENTANCE
THE SIGN OF FORGIVENESS
THE FULFULMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
AN ENTRANCE TO A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE SEAL OF OUR IDENTITY
THE COVENANT SIGN OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM?

To fully understand the purpose of baptism we must first understand Salvation.

Baptism and Salvation are inextricably linked

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Peter relates baptism back to Noah. Noah and his household were saved through an experience like baptism. The world that then existed was destroyed by that same experience.

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

So we see that Noah's obedience growing out of faith brought about his and his family's salvation.

2 Peter 2:5

and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

The act of baptism is said to save us as in the same way as what happened to Noah.

1 Peter 3:21

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Heb 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

But as we carefully consider this last passage we see that it was FAITH that moved Noah to obey and build the ark.

This is consistent with Jesus' command regarding baptism.

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

When we look again at the passage from Peter we could easily say that the act of baptism does bring about salvation:

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

As children of the reformation we find ourselves perplexed by these passages. We know that the Bible teaches that all that is needed for salvation is FAITH. And yet it clearly states that baptism "saves" us.

1 Peter 3:21

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--

We have been rightly taught that salvation was a free gift, and not a result of our works of righteousness.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Yet the reformers in their zeal for clarity on this issue forgot to equally emphasize the change of life that occurs in a true believer.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

They also did not see the distinction in the concept of salvation that is clear in scripture.

There are at least three ways the Bible teaches us we are "saved."

WE ARE SAVED

WE ARE BEING SAVED

WE WILL BE SAVED

WE ARE SAVED -

THE SALVATION OF OUR SPIRIT

WE ARE BEING SAVED -

THE SALVATION OF OUR SOUL

WE WILL BE SAVED -

THE SALVATION OF OUR BODIES

BAPTISM RELATES TO ALL THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATION

We are saved from sin and restored to an eternal relationship with God IN OUR SPIRITS by faith when we receive Jesus as saviour. Baptism is the outward act that confirms the the inward transformation. It is the sign of our Spirit's salvation.

Acts 19:4

Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."

The Bible does not teach Baptismal regeneration - that is being born again by or in the act of baptism.

The thief on the cross was not baptized yet was promised heaven but we can be sure that the only reason he was not baptized was because there was no opportunity to do so before his death.

Luke 23:39

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

Though it is the "sign" of our spirit's salvation the Bible does not teach baptism as "only" a symbol.

We have seen that the very first commanded act of obedience for a Christian after his salvation is to be baptized.

This is the key to understanding how Baptism "saves" us, as Peter said.

In everything God desires to do for us there are two parts

GOD'S PART

OUR PART

If we do our part, God will do His part.

If we do not do our part, God cannot do His part.

Both of these understanding are based on God's Character

God never lies

God cannot lie

. . . in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

Titus 1:2

When He says something He cannot go back on His Word.

Numbers 23:19
"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

He honors His Word more than his own Name

Psalm 138:2 (KJS)

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

When God says, "If you do this then I will do this" If we do what he asks He will do what He says. If however, we do not do what He says, He cannot do what He says He will do either.

From our scriptures we understand that when we obey Jesus' command to be baptized His life flows from our spirit and releases salvation into our soul.

This is not eternal salvation which came into our spirit when we made a commitment to Jesus as our Saviour. It is the release of the power of God for salvation into our present life through obedience to His Word.

Baptism is our first act of obedience which releases salvation into our soul. We are "being saved." Like Noah our faith results in action which releases salvation into our present life.

1 Peter 3:21

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you

Galatians 3:27

all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

The Ethiopian Eunuch sought baptism immediately upon his believing in Jesus.

Acts 8:34

The eunuch answered Philip and said, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Peter's first instruction to those who believed on the day of Pentecost was to be baptized.

Acts 2:38

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.

Peter's first concern for the Gentile believers in Cornelius' house was that they be baptized.

Acts 10:44

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,
"Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"
And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Paul was told to be baptized as soon as he had repented.

Acts 22:16

'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'

LASTLY OUR BAPTISM RELATES TO OUR BEING SAVED AS A DIRECT SYMBOL OR OUR DEATH AND RESURRECTION IN JESUS

Baptism is the declaration of our hope of resurrection

In our baptism we physically represent the day our bodies will be saved.

Romans 6:3

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been 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 self 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 is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

Let's review

BAPTISM IS:

THE SIGN OF REPENTANCE

THE SIGN OF FORGIVENESS

THE FULFULMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

AN ENTRANCE TO A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE SEAL OF OUR IDENTITY

THE COVENANT SIGN OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER.

THE FIRST COMMANDED ACT JESUS GAVE.

The Purpose of Baptism is to be:

The sign of our Spirit's salvation.

Our first act of obedience which releases salvation into our soul. We are "being saved."

The declaration of our hope of resurrection

So the question now is, "if you have never been baptized since you believed shouldn't you should be saying:"

"Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"

Acts 8:36

Below is the link to download the Power Point presentation I used. If you would like to use it for a teaching tool feel free.

Baptism Rev 5