April 24, 2022
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—
26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.”
1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea and went away again into Galilee.
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.”
Baptism
What is Baptism?
Why is Baptism important?
Why should I think about being baptized?
Questions about Baptism:
I. Where did Baptism come from?
A. The Meaning of báptō and baptízō. báptō, “to dip in or under,” “to dye,” “to immerse,” “to sink,” “to drown,” “to bathe,” “wash.” The New Testament uses báptō only in the literal sense, e.g., “to dip” (Luke 16:24), “to dye” (Revelations 19:13), and baptízō only in a cultic sense, mostly “to baptize.”
1. Rooted in ancient Judaism
The roots of baptism come from an ancient practice of Judaism regarding proselytes. Converts to Judaism.
2. John the Baptizer made it a public declaration of repentance.
And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;
And historical theologians tell us that a powerful spiritual awakening was sweeping across all of Judea and the regions around it.
3. Jesus radically changed the meaning of Baptism forever
II. What does Baptism mean?
Baptism is a public declaration of my faith in Christ.
Baptism is a personal declaration that I have placed my faith in Christ and I want to follow Him with all my heart.
It’s the reason that we would not baptize a baby, or a really small child who isn’t mature enough to understand following Jesus.
In the book of Acts, the historical account of the first-generation NT Church, twenty seven times we see a baptism in the book of Acts; all 27 times they believed and placed their faith in Christ, first.
And if you were baptized as a baby – and you’re wondering if you should be baptized NOW after you, yourself, have put your faith in Jesus --- the answer is YES.
That won’t dishonor your parents. In fact, it will honor exactly what they were hoping for when they presented you as a baby. That this little one would grow up to embrace Christ and follow Him with their lives.
III. Why is Baptism important?
1. It’s your testimony of what happened to you when you received Christ
2. It’s a commitment to devotion
3. It’s the way you are joined to the NT Church
4. It’s a way to give you confidence in your faith
Last Word:
Is how and when important?
When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River in Matthew 3 – it describes Him “coming up out of the water”
When the Ethiopian Finance Minister was baptized by Philip in Acts 8 – it describes him “coming up out of the water.”
It’s pretty clear in the New Testament that you are symbolizing the death of Jesus, burial of Jesus, and His resurrection when you are baptized.
All of that really means – that immersion is the New Testament form of baptism.
When were the people of the New Testament baptized? In Acts, the first generation of the church, twenty seven times people are baptized, 27 times its after they, themselves have chosen, themselves to place their faith in Christ.
It’s AFTER you, yourself, make the decision for yourself, to put your faith in Christ – then it’s time for baptism.
If you’re a Christian, if you have not been baptized since you became a Christian, then you need to be baptized. This is a point of simple obedience to what Jesus has called on you to do, to show that you are a follower of His; it’s a point of discipleship.
You’ll share with more people at one time, that you are a Christian, in that 2 minutes, than you probably ever will again.
If you say – I want to obey Jesus – and I want to do that by being baptized. We want to be a part of that process with you.
Are you ready to talk to someone about your Baptism?
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