A Baptism Celebration

I. The Basis for Baptism is the Authority of Jesus

A. “Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:18-19 (HCSB)

B. “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38 (HCSB)

C. “So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.” Acts 2:41 (HCSB)

D. “Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed the Lord, along with his whole household; and many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8 (HCSB)

II. The Symbol of Baptism is the Atonement of Jesus

Atonement – amends for wrongdoing; reconciliation

A. Death to Old Self – Sin (Burial) & Alive to New Self (Resurrection)

1. DEATH – BURIAL - RESURRECTION

2. “Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.” Romans 6:3-4 (HCSB)

B. Symbol of Salvation

1. An outward demonstration of an inward transformation

2. Death, burial, & resurrection of Jesus that provides forgiveness of sin and a right standing before God for those who repent and believe.

3. We identify ourselves with Christ by re-enacting His redemptive work

III. The Celebration of Baptism is an Acknowledgment of Jesus

A. It is a recognition that these individuals have:

1. Surrendered to His Authority

2. Partaken of His Atonement

B. They have publicly identified themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ

C. ABC’s of Salvation

1. Admit that you are a sinner

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23 (HCSB)

Repent and turn away from your sin

“…testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.”

Acts 20:21 (HCSB)

2. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 (HCSB)

Accept God’s gift of forgiveness of sin

3. Confess your faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord

“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9 (HCSB)

Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

“But to all who receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

John 1:12 (HCSB)