Online Sermons
Lesson #17 - Baptism
Series: One WordLESSON #17 – BAPTISM
Baptism is rite of passage that brings one into Christ Jesus.
It is via baptism that one comes to be clothed with Christ and it is only in Christ that righteousness is obtained.
DISCUSSION SUB-POINTS
1) OLD TESTAMENT BAPTISMS
~ Baptisms are found in Old Testament teachings in the form of purification washings. cf. Jn.3:25 & Heb.6:2.
These ancient purification rituals pre-figured the forgiveness of sins that would come with the New Covenant.
2) NEW TESTAMENT BAPTISM
~ That which was foreshadowed by Old Testament “washings” found its fullness in New Testament baptism.
New Testament baptism is not just any baptism, it is a BAPTISM INTO CHRIST JESUS.
3) BAPTISM AND SALVATION
~ What is it about baptism that saves us?
It is an “act of obedience”, but not a meritorious deed wherein ones earns his or her salvation.
What is important to understand about baptism is the “into whom” aspect.
® The reason that baptism is a salvific event is that IT PUTS ONE IN CHRIST. ®
~ By means of His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus bled and died for our sins (1Pet.2:24).
Rom.6:3-4 / Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into His death?
Therefore we have been buried with Him, through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
In baptism our SINS ARE FORGIVEN AND WASHED AWAY (Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16).
In baptism OUR ROBES ARE WASHED AND MADE WHITE in the blood of the Lamb (Rev.7:14).
In baptism we are UNITED with Christ (Rom.6:5).
In baptism we are CLOTHED with Christ (Gal.3:27).
In baptism we become THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM (2Cor.5:21).
4) THE NEW TESTAMENT MODE OF BAPTISM
~ It requires water (Acts 8:36).
~ It requires an immersion (much water/Jn.3:23).
~ It is a “burial” (Rom.6:4 and Col.2:12).
~ It is an act of faith (Gal.3:26) … based on the proclamation and reception of The Word of God (Rom.10:17).
~ It requires repentance (Acts 2:38 & 3:19).
~ It necessitates and belief in and obedience to God’s command (Mt.28:19-20 and Acts 10:48).
5) QUESTIONS
? To be Biblical a baptism does not have to take place in a church building baptistery.
Can you site a single example of such in the book of Acts? Any pool of water that accommodates an immersion is sufficient.
? Does it matter who does the baptizing? It need not be a preacher or elder, neither is it essential that a baptizer be a male.
The apostle Paul was flabbergasted that others boasted of their association with him, saying:
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius. cf. 1Cor.1:14
? As far as the age of the one being baptism, the only prerequisite is that one first be able to confess faith in Christ.
? Are all baptisms the same? Infant baptism is not Biblical.
Biblical baptism follows repentance and a confession of faith. It is an immersion. It is done for the forgiveness of sins.
