Baptism

Baptism; Romans 6:3-11

Spirit & Water Baptism. Why water baptism? In 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.’”

Matthew 14:26, “And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.” So why be baptized?

1. To Follow Christ’s Example – Matthew 3:13-17…

2. To Obey Christ’s Command – Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Order – Go, make disciples, Baptize.

This pattern was carried out in the book of Acts. After hearing Peter preach Acts 2:41, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

Acts 8:12, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.”

Acts 8:35-37, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’”

Acts 10:47-48, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”

3. To Publicly Identify with Christ

When we are baptized we show a union with Christ and His church, Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

We identify with His death & resurrection Romans 6:3-4, “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

We are to die to the sinful desires of the flesh and walk in the Spirit of God… Vs. 5-11

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ…