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BAPTISM (Part 2). The meaning of Baptism. To understand the whole concept of baptism, we need to look at scriptures throughout the gospels in the book of Acts, the Epistles, and personal letters, so we can grasp the overall meaning.
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The meaning of Baptism To understand the whole concept of baptism, we need to look at scriptures throughout the gospels in the book of Acts, the Epistles, and personal letters, so we can grasp the overall meaning. We’ll also look at the relationship of baptism to other biblical concepts.
Baptism into Christ Matthew 3:11 (NIV) “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Baptism into Christ John 3:5-7 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
Baptism into Christ Galatians 3:27 (NIV) “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit Acts 1:5 (NIV) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Baptism and faith Acts 8:12-13 (NIV) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
Baptism and repentance Acts 2:38 (NIV) 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.
Remember that Jesus in Luke 13:1-7; Emphazised the need of repentance to those Jews who wanted to be in a right relationship with God. “I tell you, no: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”.
Baptism and Salvation Mark 16:16 (NIV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Baptism and commission Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obeyeverything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Often today you will hear it said that the ONE baptism that Ephesians 4 refers to is the baptism in or by the Holy Spirit. And that many of the references to baptism means Holy Sprit baptism This overlooks that fact that Holy Spirit baptism is something that the bible describes as being given as the Holy Spirit given as He wills.
This cannot be true because the Baptism that Jesus describes in His commission and which is found in most New Testament passages was by Command something that the apostles and we as servants of Christ are commanded to do. Teaching people and baptising them and continuing to teach them
Baptism and union Romans 6:3-4 (NIV) Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Galatians 3:27 (NIV) For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Some things toward Salvation Hear (Romans 10:17, Acts 11:14) Believe (John 3:16, Acts 16:31) Confess sin (Matthew 3:6, 1John 1:9, James 5:16) Repent (Acts 3:19; Luke 13 1-7;) Confess Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9, 1Timothy 6:12) Be baptized (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4)
Why we need baptism The example of Christ (Mark1:9, Luke 3:21) The commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) The plan of salvation (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16) The union with Christ (Romans 6:3-4)
Baptism Cannot: WHAT BAPTISM CANNOT DO • change the heart • heart must be changed before baptism • “hearing” the gospel & “faith” changes the heart
The Heart Changes Acts 2:37,“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” Believing what they “heard” affected their “heart”
The Heart Changes BELIEVE FIRST, THEN BAPTISM Acts 8:37,“Then 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.’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and he baptized him.”
Baptism Cannot change your life Baptism changes your spiritual life and your relationship with God
Baptism Cannot change your life Will not make your physical life any healthier baptized believers often feared for their life in New Testament Will not necessarily make your social life any fuller, you may become an outcast Will not necessarily make your political life any stronger, some were even unwilling to confess Christ (John. 12:42, 43)
Baptism Cannot change your life Will not necessarily make your business life any more successful being a Christian may create extra bonds, promotions may have to be crucified Will not make your academic life any easier Will not necessarily make your family life any smoother (Matthew 10:34-38)
Baptism Cannot Remove temptation from your life “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires.” (James 1:14) Jesus’ example Matthew 3:13; 4:11; Hebrews 4:15;
Baptism Cannot Prevent All Wrong Simon sinned grievously after he was baptized (Acts 8:13, 18-23) Peter &Barnabas (Galatians 2:11-14) Paul had to continually discipline his body (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Baptism Cannot permanently secure eternal life The bible does NOT teach “once saved, always saved” the bible exhorts baptized believers to work out their own salvation (Philippians 2:12; 3:11, 12, 14) the bible is full of warnings about departing.
Baptism Cannot “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” Hebrews 3:12; • It is a warning to “brethren” • It is a warning to brethren who may have an “evil heart” • It is a warning to brethren who may depart
Baptism Cannot Give life to the living (saved), but only to the dead (Iost) Saved people do not get baptized; sinners get baptized to reach salvation Forgiven people do not get baptized; baptized people get forgiven (Colossians 2:12, 13) Living people do not get buried; likewise, saved people do not get baptized