Baptism With The Right Practice Series

38) BAPTISM WITH THE RIGHT PRACTICE

TEXT: Ephesians 4:5

BRIEF RECAP

Ephesians 4:5 clearly states there is only: One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Now if there is so only One Baptism in the Bible,

Then it has to be the Right kind of Baptism for us to follow.

So far in this study we have looked at what Baptism spiritually pictures,

And we have began to explore the fact that the “right Baptism” as we see it through the Scriptures,

Will always have three things – that being:

1) The Right Person; 2) The Right Practice; and… 3) The Right Authority.

THE RIGHT PERSON

Now last week we simply touched on this first point,

Scriptural Baptism must always involve the Right Person.

You see, Contrary to popular religious belief – not just anyone can be baptised at any time.

No - the right person must first be duly considered for Baptism.

Now what determines the “Right Person” – will always come down to the same two things:

1) Are They Saved?... and… 2) Do They Want to Follow Christ?

These are the only two Scriptural Criteria I can find for a person who wants to be baptised.

1) A SAVED BELIEVER OF JESUS CHRIST

So let’s just touch on this briefly in passing.

The proper candidate for Scriptural baptism is always someone who has first been saved.

You see, One must believe in Jesus Christ – before choosing to follow Jesus Christ.

Accepting Christ as your personal saviour – “by Grace through Faith” (Ephesians 2:8-9)…

Will always be the first step to entering into any kind of relationship with God.

Then, having established a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ,

One can stand in a position to Serve the Lord with your life.

Now you might recall how we looked at a number of verses last week to explore this,

Each verse showing Scripturally the order of things that must be followed.

First people believed the Gospel and were saved…

And then if they desired, they made the conscious choice to be baptised to follow Christ.

As an example lets again consider Acts 8:12+13 – Here the Scriptures record:

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Notice what we are told…

First people, both men and women, believed in Jesus – then they were baptised. Verse 13:

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip….

Again – please note the process?

A person first believes – then what follows is baptism.

And please bear in mind this is just one Scriptural example of many we explored last week

Showing the need for salvation before baptism.

2) DESIRE TO FOLLOW AND SERVE CHRIST

Understanding this fact, then led us to consider the second criteria for Baptism.

You see, the right candidate for Baptism must not only be a saved believer of Jesus Christ…

But also be one who has the desire to follow and serve Christ with their life.

Now Believing the Gospel and accepting Christ - is all about Salvation – we know that,

However, for those have the desire to then follow Christ into Baptism – well that is all about Service.

Baptism is the first step taken by true believers who want to serve Christ.

And please remember brethren all that baptism pictures and represents spiritually.

Because not only does it illustrate to us the Gospel…

Through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ,

But it also stands as a sign of the New Covenant we are called to serve and worship the Lord under.

This is a covenant of grace – and it is profoundly taught in the New Testament

As being a Covenant true believers fully experience and serve under within the Church.

This New Covenant relationship was so precious to Christ,

That He Himself was willing to shed His own blood and die in order to secure it.

Ephesians 5:25 says: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Jesus even attempted to prepare and teach His disciples about this…

During their Last Supper together.

In fact, it was at the Lord’s Super that Jesus said:

…This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

You see, Christ revealed a link between the blood He was to shed on the cross

And the New Covenant He came to usher in,

The very same Covenant we enter into through baptism.

It was through Christ’s blood that the Old Covenant was fulfilled,

And it was through Christ’s blood that a New Covenant was established for us.

1 Peter 2:21 simply says: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: