Study Series: Baptism

1. Study Series: Baptism

2. The Quiz Write out 5 Scriptures for the Repentance Study 10 Points Each Write out 5 Scriptures for the Word Study 5 Points Each Write out 5 Scriptures for the Sin Study 5 Points Each Bonus 2 points any extra scripture in the above 3 studies

3. Answers to Quiz Write out 5 Scriptures for the Repentance Study 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, Luke 3:7-14, Luke 13:1-9, Acts 26:15-21, 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 , 2 Timothy 2:24-26 10 Points Each Write out 5 Scriptures for the Word Study 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12-13, 1 Timothy 4:16, John 8:31-32, John 12:47-49, Acts 17:10-12 5 Points Each Write out 5 Scriptures for the Sin Study Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Luke 7:36-50, Mark 7:21-22, Galatians 5:19-21, James 4:17, Isaiah 59:1-2 5 Points Each Bonus 2 points any extra scripture in the above 3 studies

4. What is the Aim of this Study? After preaching about the cross, Peter calls his hearers to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). This study helps establish the link between Christ’s sacrifice and our forgiveness of sins by means of baptism.

5. Colossians 1:13-14 John 3:3-5 Acts 2:38-41 Romans 6:-4 Acts 22:7-16

6. Acts 2:38-41 “Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” Memory Scripture

7. Colossians 1:13-14 • Scriptural Background • A Christian cannot please God unless God helps him • We are to live our lives to please our Maker • God allows us to share in his Kingdom of light • His Kingdom is compromised of a holy people • Point of the Passage • We all need rescuing from this dark world • God wants to bring us into his Kingdom • In his Kingdom is his son, forgiveness and redemption • Purposeful Question • What is salvation or redemption? • What does it mean to have your sins forgiven? • What life is God rescuing you from?

8. 150-200 AD CLEMENT "Being baptized, we are illuminated; illuminated, we become sons; being made sons, we are made perfect; being made perfect, we are made immortal... This work is variously called grace, and illumination, and perfection, and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins; grace, by which the penalties accruing to transgressions are remitted; and illumination, by which that holy light of salvation is beheld, that is, by which we see God clearly." (Clement of Alexandria, "The Instructor," Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 2, pg. 215)

9. John 3:3-5 • Scriptural Background • Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin and a Pharisee. • He came to Jesus at night for one of the following reasons: • (1) Perhaps he did not want the other Jewish leaders to know that he had spoken to Jesus • (2) Jewish teachers taught that the best time to study God’s Law was at night • Nicodemus wanted to discuss important *spiritual matters in private, when Jesus was alone • Point of the Passage • No one can enter God’s Kingdom unless they are born again • Every person must be born of water and Spirit to enter • Purposeful Question • What does it mean to be born again? • What are some requirements for entering the Kingdom of God? • How important is it for you to be part of God’s Kingdom?

10. 110-165 AD Justin Martyr also refer to John 3:5. There, the one who refuses to be baptized is to be condemned as an unbeliever, partially on the basis of what Jesus told Nicodemus…. "He that, out of contempt, will not be baptized, shall be condemned as an unbeliever, and shall be reproached as ungrateful and foolish. For the Lord says: 'Except a man be baptized of water and of the Spirit, he shall by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.' And again: 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned.'" (Justin Martyr "Constitutions of the Holy Apostles," Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 7, pg. 456-457.)

11. Acts 2:36-41 • Scriptural Background • Peter preaches first gospel message to the Jews • His message is centered on the death, burial and ressurection of Jesus Christ • Those who heard the message came to the conviction that their sins crucified Jesus. • They were pierced to the heart and wanted to know what to do to get right with God. • Point of the Passage • Repentance + Baptism= Forgiveness of sins and Holy Spirit • The call to salvation is an urgent message • Those who truly see their lostness will obey God’s message • Purposeful Question • When do we receive the forgiveness of sins? • Why do you think those who heard the message responded so urgently? • Why must one be baptized?

12. Acts 2:38-41 “Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” Memory Scripture

13. Romans 6:1-4 • Scriptural Background • Paul is reminding the church that they cannot continue in sin because when they were saved they died to sin. • Paul explains when this death of sin took place in their lives • Point of the Passage • We are baptized into Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection • Not a symbol but participation in the death of Christ • We, too, will be raised to a new life through baptism. • Thus, we are born again • Purposeful Question • Can you explain what happens when a person is baptized? • How does this explain how we come in contact with the blood of Jesus Christ • How should one live their life after being baptized?vs.5-14

14. Acts 22:7-16 • Scriptural Background • Paul is on trial sharing his conversion story. • After encountering Jesus, repenting, praying, fasting (see Acts 9:9-11), being healed, and being called by God, Paul still remains in sin until he is baptized • Paul wrote 13 letters and his teaching on salvation is consistent with his own life • Point of the Passage • Sins are washed away at baptism • We call on the name of the Lord at our baptism • Purposeful Question • Have you made Jesus the Lord of your life? • Then… “What are waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away!”

15. Sin Bible Study: Baptism Colossians 1:13--14 Dominion of Darkness Kingdom of Light Forgiveness of sins and redemptions John 3:3-5 Born Again ► Kingdom of God Water & Spirit ► Kingdom of God Acts 22:36-41 Repent + Baptism ► Forgiveness of sins & Holy Spirit Spirit Matt. 3:13-17 Romans 6:1-4 Repent Born Again Baptism Water

16. Baptism……….. is done FORthe forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) is done to SAVE us (1Peter 3:21, Acts 2:40, Mark 16:16) Is done to WASH AWAY OUR SINS (Acts 22:16) is done to be REBORN to new life (John 3:5, Romans 6:3-6) is done to CLOTHE ourselves with Christ (Gal 3:26-27) is done so thatGOD will RESURRECT us from death (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:3-6) is done as a REQUIRMENT to enter heaven (John 3:5, Mark 16:16) is done to put us INTO CHRIST (Romans 6:3-6, Galatians 3:26-27, 1Corinthians 12:13

17. Additional Scriptures John 13:6-11Titus 3:3-5Colossians 2:11-14Acts 8:26-40Acts 18:24-26Hebrews 10:221 Peter 3:21Ephesians 4:4-6Ephesians 5:26Galatians 3:23-27Mark 16:16

18. END THE STUDY • Prayer • Set Up Next Study • Give scriptures for the next study • 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 • Hebrews 10:22-25 • Hebrews 3:12-14 • 2 Corinthians 8:7 • Acts 2:40-47 • Colossians 1:15-18 • Ephesians 4:1-16

19. Ask at least 7 people one of the following questions this week What do you think about Jesus? Or How would you teach someone to become a Christian?

20. Announcements F.I.Ts (Father’s with children from 4th grade and under) Topic: Father and Child Olympics Day: Saturday, September 8th @ City View Park Time: 9am to 11:30am ---------------------------------------------------------------- Teen Devotional @ 11am-2pm Lakewood Park in Norfolk ---------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, Bible Talk Leaders Meeting from 1:45 to 3:15pm Location: Tile Room ------------------------------------------------------------------ Single’s Devotional on Saturday, September 15th Time: 5-7pm Southside Building Title: Open Your Eyes (Evangelism) ______________________________ Dep. Prayer

21. The Gospel Mesage

22. Brief Responses to Common Objections Regarding  1. Since the thief on the cross did not need to be baptized in order to be saved, we can be saved without baptism. • 2. We are saved by grace through faith, not by baptism. 3. John 3:16 says that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. This says nothing about baptism • 4. Romans 10:9-10 teaches us that everyone who calls upon Jesus by confessing him and believing on him in their heart will be saved. Therefore, baptism is not necessary. • 5. The Bible tells us we can not be saved by works. (Eph. 2:9) Works involve doing something. If salvation then does not come by doing something, how can baptism be necessary for salvation since this requires you to do something? • 6. Paul was saved on the road to Damascus. Before Saul was baptized, Ananias called him "brother," this shows that he was already a Christian. • 7. Peter only told the jailer to believe in the Lord Jesus in order to be saved. Therefore, baptism is not necessary. • 8. Acts 4:4 and 5:14 show that people are added to the church when they believe. Nothing is said about baptism being necessary. • 9. If baptism is essential, why then did Paul write in 1 Corinthians 1:17 that the Lord did not send him to baptize?

23. 1. Since the thief on the cross did not need to be baptized in order to be saved, we can be saved without baptism. • We can say: You are right in saying the thief was not baptized to be saved. There were many people who lived before Jesus' death and resurrection who will be saved but who were never baptized. Take for instance, Abraham. Luke 16:22 For several reasons the fact that the thief was saved without being baptized neither confirms nor denies our need for baptism. Consider:. • First, Luke's purpose in telling us about the thief and others whom Jesus forgave while he was alive was not to teach us about how to respond to the death and resurrection of Jesus, but to emphasize that Jesus is good news because he has the authority to save. Luke 5:20-26 These pre-resurrection stories of grace and salvation do not provide models for us about how we are required to trust in Jesus. For example, in the story of the paralytic, Jesus looked at "their faith" and forgave the paralytic. Today, I can not count on Jesus looking at your faith and then turning around to forgive me! Also, Mark 2:8-10 says that Jesus had the authority on earth to forgive sins. • Second, while certain elements about the good news regarding what God was doing through Christ began to be proclaimed during Jesus' ministry, the gospel message in its final form calls us to trust in Jesus, who died and rose again. What is commonly called Christian water baptism only began after Jesus' death and resurrection. The first time it was practiced is found in Acts 2:38-47 Because of this, the thief's situation is not parrallel to ours' since unlike us could not trust in Jesus' death and resurrection. Therefore he can not be an exception to the gospel's command that we need to trust in Jesus and his death and resurrection by being baptized. (There was a baptism which John the Baptizer practiced and which Jesus' disciples administered, but this was neither in Jesus' name, nor was it a response to the good news about Jesus, nor did someone receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who received this baptism after the resurrection needed to be rebaptized! Acts 19:3-5)

24. 2. We are saved by grace through faith, not by baptism. • We can agree that salvation is by grace through faith. We can also agree that this saving faith is more than just believing some truths about Jesus. Even the demons have that kind of faith. James 2:19 • The saving faith that the New Testament authors wrote about involves a trusting and a reliance upon Jesus. Many have illustrated the difference between this true faith and mere belief by the story of a tightrope walker who pushed a wheelbarrow across a rope over Niagra Falls. According to the story, he even did it with 150 pounds of potatoes in the wheelbarrow! When he asked the crowds if they believed he could push his wheelbarrow with a man inside it to the other side, the crowd enthusiastically yelled "Yes!" Then he asked who would be first. Silence! The people believed some truths about the man, but they would not rely upon him by climbing into the wheelbarrow. Salvation by faith involves an active trust in Jesus, not merely believing some truths about Jesus. So far, everyone is on common ground. There is, however, something about this story which seems to have eluded many. In this story there is only one way to trust in the tightrope walker! You have to actually climb into his wheelbarrow. No other response constitutes reliance upon him. What we can learn from this is that the context or story determines how we must trust. Everyone who tells you to trust in Jesus must tell you to do something to be saved - whether that be say a pray and invite Jesus into your heart or rely upon him by being baptized. Knowing how to trust in a particular situation is determined by the story or situation, not what we may think it means to trust. • When God announced he would send a flood and commanded Noah to build an ark, faith in God required building an ark. Hebrews 11:7 • For Abraham to have trusted in God's promises about his descendants only required him to believe the promise. • Similarly, the gospel tells us how we must respond to Jesus in order to trust in him and become a forgiven child of God. We begin to depend upon Jesus by being baptized at which time we are forgiven and become a child of God. Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5 To rightfully acknowledge that we are saved by grace through faith does not exclude our need to trust in Jesus by being baptized. Baptism is how we begin to trust in Jesus. • As to how we are to rely upon Jesus, nowhere are we told in scripture to say a sinner's prayer to invite him into our heart. (For the misappropriation of Romans 10:9-10&endash;see below) We are shown and told to be baptized. Acts 8:12,13; Matt. 28:19 If your friend doubts that faith in Jesus might require some form of obedient action (faith in the tightrope walker required action!), you can point out that to insist upon defining faith as excluding all action forces the Bible to contradict itself. The New Testament clearly describes Christians as having been saved from their sins by doing something! 1 Peter 1:22-23; Romans 6:17-18 (Just as they will acknowledge that saying a prayer is not a work, so too this is NOT works- see below)

25. 3. John 3:16 says that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved. This says nothing about baptism. • This Gospel opens affirming that Jesus has made it possible for those who believe in him/ receive him to become children of God. John 1:12 The Gospel of John makes it clear that to truly believe requires more than just believing some truths about Jesus. John 8:31-32; 12:42-43 The actual question is what does it take for a person to believe in him/ receive him? See the previous response for more assistance with this. • If we look at the context of John 3, we find that Jesus has just finished telling Nicodemus that for him to enter the kingdom of God (be saved) he had to be born of the water and the Spirit. The early Christians understood this water to be baptism, not a woman's water breaking while giving birth. The parallel text of Titus 3:5 as well as the historical accounts of conversion in Acts shows that this naturally refers to baptism, not the water associated with physical birth. Following upon this discussion of the new birth, John 3:16 then announces the wonderful news that salvation is open to everyone who will believe in Jesus, that is receive him. This verse does not inform us how to receive Jesus, but rather announcing the universality of salvation made possible to those who would believe in him. • To believe in someone requires a person to do something depending upon the context. To believe in your teenager who just received a driver's license may involve dropping the keys into his or her hand. To believe in your dad when stuck in a tree requires dropping into outstretched arms. To believe in mom when she promises to bake your favorite dinner involves just believing. To understand how the gospel calls us to believe in Jesus we must look at the story, not just John 3:16.

26. 4. Romans 10:9-10 teaches us that everyone who calls upon Jesus by confessing him and believing on him in their heart will be saved. Therefore, baptism is not necessary. • We can see an actual example of someone calling upon the Lord and being saved in Acts 22:16. Already Saul had seen Jesus and definitely believed that Jesus is Lord, but it was not until he was baptized that he relied upon Jesus to save him. We do not have any example within the Bible of someone calling upon the Lord by saying a sinner's prayer in order to invite Jesus into their heart. • In Romans 10, Paul was writing to Christians who knew how they had responded to Jesus to be saved! His purpose was not to provide the reader with a comprehensive guide on how to respond to Jesus in order to be saved. Rather Paul described the barrier that had prevented Israel from obtaining righteousness; they did not pursue it by faith. (Romans 9:30-32) Israel had refused to confess Jesus and believe in their hearts that God had raised him from the dead. They would not call upon Christ for salvation. However, Paul announced the good news that if they would respond to Jesus they too will be saved. To assume that these verses tell us everything about how to trust in Jesus is to force them to serve a function and purpose which contextually they were not intended to perform.

27. 5. The Bible tells us we can not be saved by works. (Eph. 2:9) Works involve doing something. If salvation then does not come by doing something, how can baptism be necessary for salvation since this requires you to do something? • Before examining what Paul meant by works, it might be helpful to observe that everyone who preaches the gospel must tell a person to do something in order to receive Jesus and rely upon him. Whether a person says a prayer to invite Jesus into their heart or is baptized, a person is doing something. The real question is: what does the gospel instruct us to do? • When Paul condemned works as being useless to save us, he condemned the futility of relying upon ourselves by trying to be good enough. He was not dismissing doing something in order to rely upon Jesus for salvation, whether that might be saying a prayer or being baptized. Works, when used by Paul in a negative sense, refer to the effort to depend upon our own goodness. Paul contrasted this useless path toward trying to be right with God with that of grace through faith whereby someone relies upon God's gift of salvation through Jesus. This is called salvation by faith. • Even Protestants admit that salvation by faith alone is more than just believing certain teachings to be true about Jesus. To have faith in Jesus involves relying upon Jesus for salvation. People are saved by trusting in Jesus to save them. The question is, how does the Bible instruct us to trust in Jesus that we might be saved? Repeatedly both by example and by teaching, we learn that to trust in Jesus for salvation involves being buried in baptism. Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:11-13; Acts 2:38; 16:22; Romans 6:3-4, 17-18; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16 • Paul's contrast between faith and works involved denouncing self-reliance and exalting the principle of depending upon Jesus. Paul did not contrast "doing something" verses "just believing." In fact, the faith which the preaching of the gospel is supposed to produce in people involves "the obedience of faith." Romans 1:5; 16:25-26 That obedience involves doing something to rely upon Jesus to save us! Romans 6:17-18; 1 Peter 1:22 • It might also be helpful to consult the Niagra story described above to illustrate that how we are supposed to trust is determined by the story/ context. If a person still insists that faith excludes any form of "doing" while works include all forms of "doing something," you can point out that this viewpoint conflicts with many scriptures like 1 Peter 1:22; Romans 6:17-18; 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Acts 2:38, 22:16.

28. 6. Paul was saved on the road to Damascus. Before Saul was baptized, Ananias called him "brother," this shows that he was already a Christian.  It is true that on the road to Damascus Paul came to believe Jesus is Lord. Acts 9:5 But rather than showing that Paul was saved by just believing, this story reveals he was not saved until after he was baptized. Although Paul had believed Jesus was Lord, he was still guilty of his sins (unsaved) until he was baptized. Acts 22:16 • The reason Ananias calls him brother is this was a customary greeting among Jews. Consider Acts 2:37. 13:15,38 where non-Christian Jews are called brothers. 7. Peter only told the jailer to believe in the Lord Jesus in order to be saved. Therefore, baptism is not necessary.  Peter took a situation where the jailer was fearful he would be executed for allowing prisoners to escape and transformed it into an evangelistic opportunity. Peter told the jailer that he could be saved if he would believe in the Lord Jesus. The jailer had no idea what this meant. So Peter preached the gospel to him. Acts 16:32 Nothing in the story indicates he was saved before being baptized. Actually, it was after he had responded to Jesus by being baptized that he was joyful because he had come to believe in God. • When Peter first announced to the jailor that he needed to believe in Jesus, Peter was proclaiming the necessity of relying upon Jesus to be saved. He was not claiming that the jailor only needed to believe certain truths about Jesus. Even demons believe the truth about Jesus. James 2:19 The jailor first had to learn who Jesus was and why he was so important. Part of the proclamation about Jesus involves how to receive him & end ash;namely by being baptized. This is why when the eunuch heard the story of Jesus he asked, "What's stopping me from being baptized?" Acts 8:35-36 See also Acts 8:9

29. 8. Acts 4:4 and 5:14 show that people are added to the church when they believe. Nothing is said about baptism being necessary.  Passages such as Acts 4:4; 5:15; 6:7; 9:35, 42; 11:21 use expressions like "turned," "believed," or "became obedient to the faith," to indicate that someone was converted. But these verses do not tell us how those people exhibited their trust in Jesus as a result of hearing the gospel. At other times Luke did provide details about how someone's faith in Jesus was manifested as a result of hearing the Gospel message. Acts 2:41; 8:12, 44-45 9. If baptism is essential, why then did Paul write in 1 Corinthians 1:17 that the Lord did not send him to baptize? • Paul's purpose was to announce the gospel, not to be the assistant who was baptizing those who responded to the gospel. Instead of denying baptism, the context of 1 Corinthians actually supports baptism as being the biblical response to the gospel. • The Corinthians were a community of baptized believers. Because of their problems Paul was glad he was not the one who baptized them. 1 Cor. 1:14-16 • 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 reveals that both Paul and the Corinthians understood baptism to be evidence of their salvation. Paul's point was: just because they had been baptized this did not mean that they could just go on sinning. If they did insist on sinning, they would fall away just as many in Israel had fallen. 1 Cor. 10:5-12