Sermon – November 15, 2015: Baptism, Part 2

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Baptism, Part 2

Introduction Info

  • Bapto – common everyday word meaning to dip.
  • Baptizo – religious use meaning to immerse, submerge and emerge and not unique to Judaism.
    • Seen as symbolic washing, purification or regenerative act.
    • Was used as an initiation act or a prepatory act for rituals.

Baptism in Jesus’s Name

  • Same as John’s Baptism?
    • Bears a resemblance: Done “for the forgiveness of sins” – Acts 2:37-44; Acts 22:11
    • But, was not the same baptism as John’s – Acts 18:24-28 & 19:1-7
  • Commanded in Matthew 28:19.
  • Jesus baptizes with the Spirit – Luke 3:16
  • Man baptizes in the name of the Trinity
    • Water baptism is the first of a two part disciple-making process.
    • A person cannot be a disciple unless they understand who Jesus is: God in the flesh.
  • Is more than John’s baptism – Romans 6:1-11, Colossians 2:11-14b & 1 Peter 3:21
  • God uses the physical act as a means to participate in Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection. – Romans 6:1-4 & Colossians 2:11-14b
  • The old self stands at the beginning of baptism and a new self immerges at the end. – Romans 6:1-11 & Titus 3:4-7
  • Isn’t baptism a work?
    • Salvation is received through faith. – John 3:16; Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8
    • Pistis – faith, belief, conviction + works – James 2:14-26
    • Baptism is a faith response (faith + work) – Acts 2:38 & Acts 22:11
    • In Acts baptism seems to be an expected part of receiving salvation by faith.
    • Baptism does nothing by itself if it is not initiated by faith. – Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; Peter 3:21
  • Can someone be saved without baptism?
    • Abraham’s example of justification by faith suggests absolutely! – Romans 4
    • However, Abraham proves his faith over and over through works and obedience. – Genesis 22

So What?

  • God is ultimately concerned with your heart.
  • However, a true conviction leads to righteous works and obedience.
  • If you are capable of baptism you need to submit to the first of the two step process of discipleship.
  • After baptism you need to submit to the second part: learning and obeying all of Jesus’s commands.
  • Have you done the first?
  • Are you doing the second?

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