Online Sermons
Lesson #15 – Before You Step Into The Water / Pt. #3
Series: Baptism 101 - What The Bible Says About BaptismLesson #15 – Before You Step Into The Water / Pt. #3
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!
4) It’s vitally important to grasp the “into whom” and the “why” of baptism!
After telling the crowd to repent, Peter told them to be baptized - Acts 2:38a
? Peter specified, in the name of Jesus Christ - Acts 2:38b cf. Acts 10:48 & Acts 19:5
Such speaks of the authority of Christ as well as the object of one’s faith.
In Acts 22:16 the expression “calling on His name” implies Christ as the object of our faith.
In 1Cor.1:15 Paul writes: no man should say you were baptized in my name (Paul’s name).
? After the Lord’s death, burial & resurrection, a baptism that is not INTO CHRIST is deficient.
Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him – Col.2:13
We have been buried with Him through baptism into death – Rom.6:4
All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ – Gal.3:27
Closely connected with this idea is the NT emphasis that one’s baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.
? That’s the import of into Christ. Only in Him can one become the righteousness of God. – 2Cor.5:21
Our sins are washed away only when and precisely because we have come to be “in Christ”.
Baptism is “for the forgiveness of sins”. – Acts 2:38 & 10:43
Baptism is to “wash away your sins” and thereby become SAVED – Acts 22:16 & Acts 2:40
? We will never appreciate the gospel news of the gospel (salvation)
if we have not first wrestled with the bad news (we are sinners deserving death).
Baptism is the God’s answer for those who have become convicted of their own sinfulness. – 1Pet.3:21
If you have not come to terms with the fact that you’re are a sinner, you’re not ready for baptism!
Baptism is not just a church “ceremony” - - it is a decision to die with Christ in seeking salvation.
If you’ve not been baptized, what more do you think you need to understand before you’re baptized?
It’s important to remember that baptism is not a consummation, but a commencement.
Discipleship is all about continuing to grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord & Savior – 2Pet.3:18
