Sermons

Summary: Three undeniable truths about water baptism.

Sermon Study # 234 – Why Water Baptism (part 1)

READ > Acts 8:26-39 (KJV)

Key Passage: Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:

Jesus:

Mat 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Mat 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Mat 3:15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. Mat 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. Mat 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

The early Christians.

Acts 10:45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. Acts 10:46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, Acts 10:47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." Acts 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

“We are saved from the punishment of sin; we are being saved from the power of sin and we will be saved from the presence of sin.”

3 TRUTHS ABOUT WATER BAPTISM:

1. GOD INITIATED WATER BAPTISM, NOT MAN. - (Mat 21:25; John 1:33)

A) Mat 21:25 John’s baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, ’From heaven,’ he will ask, ’Then why didn’t you believe him?’

Note: Christ asked this question because the people understood that John’s baptism came from God.

B) John 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one(The Father) who sent me to baptize with water told me, ’The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

Note: John states that the Father sent him to baptize with water.

2. WATER BAPTISM IS SECONDARY TO SALVATION, IT IS NOT SALVATION. - (Acts 2:38; 19:4)

A) Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Note: Peter announced that repentance was a prerequisite to being baptized.

B) Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Note: Philip indicates o the eunuch that if he believes he can be baptized – no other qualification or credential needed.

3. WATER BAPTISM IS A BEGINNING, NOT AN END. - (Col. 2:11-12; 1 John 5:6)

A) Col 2:11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

Note: Baptism is not only the public testimony of the burial of your old self, but it is a declaration of your new self being raised!

B) 1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

Note: Jesus did not come by water only – the water represents His baptism by John. Jesus came by water and blood – the blood represents Christ mission “The Cross”

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Talk about it...

Greg Nance

commented on Jun 29, 2013

Good thoughts! Thanks

Barry Dewitt

commented on Jun 28, 2014

I beg to differ. The scripture says, Repent and be Baptized...not Repent then be Baptized. They are both required for salvation!

Joel Vicente

commented on Jun 28, 2014

Lovingly, we disagree. The man at the cross near Jesus was not baptized and was saved. The Bible teaches that salvation is a result of grace working through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) not by works which includes baptism. Romans teaches that we are justified by faith alone. We may see this topic differently, but let's keep JESUS first. Thank you for your comment.

Solomon Caseria

commented on Jan 4, 2015

i if baptism is a requirement to salvation,then Christ need to be saved

Solomon Caseria

commented on Jan 4, 2015

Christ was baptized because He is the Son of God not in order to become the Son of God. No scripture says those who are not being baptized will be condemned.

Joel Vicente

commented on Feb 21, 2015

I agree.

Roger Belk

commented on Jun 25, 2015

Baptism fulfills the law of righteousness but does not save us. Only by GRACE are we saved through FAITH in the completed work of our Lord. Salvation is the complete work of God alone. We have no ability to save ourselves. Only God and God alone gives us salvation. If we are able to do anything that contributes to our salvation then that salvation is brought about by our works. I believe we are to be baptized in accordance to the Bibles command... but baptism is something we do... it is a Work... because we do it.

Joel Vicente

commented on Jun 27, 2015

I agree.

Joel Vicente

commented on Jun 27, 2015

I agree.

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