Online Sermons
Lesson #14 – Before You Step Into The Water / Pt. #2
Series: Baptism 101 - What The Bible Says About BaptismLesson #14 – Before You Step Into The Water / Pt. #2
WHAT DOES ONE NEED TO EMBRACE PRIOR TO BAPTISM?
Are there any prerequisites to baptism and if so, what might they be?
How much Biblical knowledge is required to prepare one for baptism?
1) Belief is essential.
2) Repentance is also required.
3) “Counting the cost” is necessary!
Consider the exhortation of Jesus in Lk.14:25ff
? vs.25 – great multitudes were coming to Him
There is no hint here of “easy believism” or “cheap grace”.
Jesus does not hesitate to speak frankly & strongly about the cost of discipleship.
? vs.26 – Jesus spells out some exceptionally serious consequences that may accompany discipleship.
It means “loving less” one’s parents, spouse, children, siblings - - even one’s own life.
vs.27 – Discipleship means “carrying one’s own cross”.
vs.33 – Discipleship requires a willingness to give up one’s possessions, if necessary.
cf. Lk.12:15-22 and Lk.18:18-30
? Wedged between vs.27 and vs.28 are illustrations of the importance of “counting the cost”.
first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish…” (vs.28b)
first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough… (vs.31)
Discuss the following: apostasy … waywardness … falling away … backsliding.
It is a serious transgression to begin to follow Christ and then to go AWOL (away without leave)?
cf. 2Pet.2:21 4 it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,
than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them.
Should one who was previously baptized (without counting the cost) be re-baptized?
When in doubt, it is best to remove the doubt and be baptized correctly.
If one falls away (who had previously counted the cost in being baptized), can his or faith be restored?
Absolutely! Peter denied Jesus, but he turned again to the Lord - - Lk.22:21-33 & 22:54-62 & Jn.21:15ff
In this instance, repentance is what is needed rather than re-baptism.
cf. Gal.6:1; Js.5:15-16 and Rev.2:5; 3:3 & 19
