Baptism Series

“WHY DO WE DO THAT? – BAPTISM” Romans 6:3-4

FBCF – 1/8/23

Jon Daniels

INTRO – 3 yr-old girl, Rena, sat w/ family during a baptismal service in a church. New experience for her. Asked, “Why did he push that guy in the water? Why, Daddy, why?” Wife tried to explain briefly & quietly in the service, but to no avail. Later that night, parents tried to explain in a way she could understand. Talked about sin & that when people decide to live for Jesus & “do good” they want everyone to know. Explained that the water symbolized Jesus washing people from sin; when they come out “clean”, they are going to try to be “good.” Realized they needed to work a little more on their explanation when Rena immediately responded, “Why didn’t Pastor Bob just spank him?”

Let me reassure you that the pastor is not going to start spanking folks (although there are some of you that probably could use a good whooping!). But do want to make it clear why we baptize people & what baptism is all about.

Start series today – “WHY DO WE DO THAT?” – We are going to look at some important aspects of church that we talk about a lot, terminology that we regularly use, things that we’ve been doing for a long time, but we may take for granted that everyone knows what these things are & why they’re a part of our church’s ministry & DNA. Things that some may not necessarily know why we do them. Things that need some clarification & teaching, & specifically, today that thing is baptism.

EXPLANATION – Romans 6:3-4

Baptism is something that we regularly do (nearly 60 last year!) And yet, I wonder sometimes if we truly understand what it’s all about?

- Is baptism necessary for salvation?

- What’s the purpose of being baptized?

- Why do we immerse people instead of sprinkling them?

There are several places in NT where baptism is mentioned.

- Jesus’ baptism mentioned in all 4 Gospels

- Jesus talked about baptism in John 3 – Commanded us to make disciples & baptize them in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).

- Baptism mentioned multiple times in Book of Acts

- Paul talked about baptism in Romans, 1 Cor., Gal., Eph., Col., & Titus

- Peter mentioned it in 1 Peter.

This passage in Romans is one that helps us understand the beauty of the imagery we see when someone is baptized, as we saw in Kearney’s baptism this morning.

When a person comes to know Christ, something dramatic happens. Don’t have to FEEL something dramatic, but you need to KNOW & UNDERSTAND that something dramatic has happened in your life. Listen to these truths!

- You were lost & now you are found

- You were dead & now you are alive

- You were spiritually blind & now you can see

- You were an enemy of God & now you are a friend of God

- You were a child of the devil & now you are a child of God

All of us who are Christ-followers have been baptized into Christ Jesus (v. 3). Means we have been permanently & eternally immersed into Him & overwhelmed by Him, making us eternally one w/ Him. When Jesus died, it was as if we died w/ Him. When He was buried, we were buried w/ Him. And when He rose from the grave, we rose w/ Him & now are able to walk in “the newness of life” through faith in Him. Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified w/ Christ, & I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me & gave Himself for me.”

This incredible transformation is wonderfully pictured in the act of baptism of that person who has placed their faith in Christ alone for their salvation.

- “We may never become martyrs, but we can die to self, to sin, to the world, to our plans & ambitions. That is the significance of baptism; we died w/ Christ & rose to new life.” (Vance Havner)

- “Baptism does not save a person, but Jesus means for His saved individuals to publicly identify w/ Him & His people. It’s one piece of how His citizens become official. It’s how they wave the flag.” (Jonathan Leeman)

- “Baptism represents our death to the self-ruled life & our submission to the rule of God, our willing embrace of His mission for us.” (Robert Lewis)

APPLICATION – Every Christ-follower should publicly identify w/ Christ through believer’s baptism.

THE REASONS FOR BAPTISM

3 specific reasons for a Christ-follower to be baptized:

TO FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE – Mark 1:9 – “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth & was baptized by John in the river.” Jesus certainly didn’t need to be baptized to show repentance of sins that He had committed b/c we know that He never sinned. His baptism was an act of humility & identity. He consented to be counted as if He were a sinner, along w/ all of us. His example of humility is one that we should follow.