OPEN: One of the boys in a Sunday School teacher’s class proudly announced to his teacher that he was being baptized the next Sunday. She told him that was really great, and he told her he was going to take his swim goggles.
She was curious about why the youngster would want to wear his goggles during the Baptism service. When she asked, the boy replied, "So I can see my sins washed away!!!"
APPLY: Children often have a very simple and straightforward way of viewing things. It’s only when we get older that we start to make things more complicated.
I just heard about a preacher who decided not to baptize a young girl into Christ on this particular Sunday because this was October 31st - Halloween. He was concerned because this is a season reserved for ghosts and goblins and the walking dead. For many people Halloween celebrates death.
And I understand his concern. As you make your way through our city, you’ll find homes decorated with gravestones, men hanging from nooses and images of dead people all over the yard. Most everybody does this tongue in cheek and they don’t mean anything evil by it, but there’s no avoiding the fact that many people decorate their homes on Halloween for death. And so, this preacher was concerned about the effect it would have on this impressionable young girl about being baptized in a season of death.
Now I understand what bothers this preacher, but I’m convinced his fears are based on a few false ideas – the first of which is that it would be wrong for this girl to connect her baptism with death.
Baptism IS all about death. Look again at Romans 6:3-4 “.. don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his DEATH? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into DEATH in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
In order to become a Christian… you have to die. • You have to die to the past. • You have to die to your old way of life. That’s why Romans 6:2 says “…We DIED to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” And Romans 6:6 says “For we know that our old self was CRUCIFIED with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin”
This theme is repeated in Colossians 3:3 which says “For you DIED, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” And 2 Timothy 2:11 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we DIED with him, we will also live with him”
One preacher put it this way: “Did you know - because of the resurrection of the Jesus there are dead men walking all over the earth. They are not zombies, they are not the undead, they are not men on death row; they are born again believers in Jesus Christ.
We WERE alive to sin and dead to Christ. But in Christ our position has changed, our situation has been reversed. Ephesians 2:1-5 says God made you alive, who were “dead in trespasses and sins”.
We used to be alive to sin but dead to Christ but now we are dead to sin BUT alive in Christ!” (Phil Hammons, Sermoncentral.com)
Again and again in the New Testament we’re told that in order to belong to Jesus we have to die. We have to die to our past sinfulness and our old way of living.
(PAUSE)
Well… what do you do with dead people? (You bury them.) Baptism was God’s way of driving that truth home: Baptism was meant to remind us that our past is now gone. The old man of sin is dead and buried. Our sinful past doesn’t exist anymore… it’s been buried
Now some churches try to make their congregations believe that baptism can be done by pouring or sprinkling water on people’s heads. But if you think about that for a minute or two – that doesn’t make any sense.
ILLUS: Let’s say I died this afternoon. They’d take my body on down to the funeral parlor and prepare it for burial. Then, at the funeral you all come and cry… and cry… and cry (You’ll miss me when I’m gone). And when the ceremony is all done they’re going to take my casket, with my body in it, down to the cemetery and bury it.
Now, how they gonna bury my body? Are they going to open the casket lid and sprinkle a little dirt on my face? Are they going to toss in a couple shovels full of dirt on my head?
No, of course not! They will have dug a hole 6 feet deep – and they’ll lower my casket into that hole. They they’ll cover that casket with a whole lot of dirt. And that’s where my earthly body will reside until Jesus comes and the trumpet call of God calls me out of that grave.
Romans 6 tells us that when we’re baptized into Christ, we’re buried with Him and that’s why water Baptism always involved a lot of water.
John 3:23 tells us – “Now John (the Baptist) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was PLENTY OF WATER…”
Acts 8 tells us of the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch, and we’re told that “… both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:38-39
There’d be no sense going “down into the water” and coming “up out of the water” if all Philip did was sprinkle a little water on the Eunuch’s head. He could have done that with a canteen full of water.
Baptism required a lot of water because it represented a physical death and a burial.
But wait, there’s more! If you were to come forward this morning and we baptized you into Christ we’d lower you into the water as into a grave. But would I leave you there? No. What would happen if I kept you under the water? (you’d die and then we’d take you to a real grave.) No, we don’t leave you under the water… we raise you up as out of the grave. You might say that we raise you up from the dead.
And that’s part of the genius of God. He designed your baptism NOT ONLY to represent your death but also to reassure you that one day you will rise from the dead.
That’s what Romans 6:4 means when it says “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
So, that preacher was mistaken about baptism and Halloween. Baptism IS all about death… and burial and resurrection.
But there was something else that preacher had misunderstood. He believed that young girl was already “born again”. He believed she’d already died to her past. But he was putting off the burial of her past for a few weeks because it was inconvenient to do it right away.
Repeatedly in Scripture, people were baptized immediately upon making their decision for Christ
• Acts 16 tells us about a business woman named Lydia. She was down at the riverside studying the Bible with a bunch of other ladies. Paul came along and preached to them… and baptized her. He didn’t wait a few days/ few weeks. He baptized her right then.
• On Pentecost, Peter talked to a large crowd of people in Jerusalem. 3000 people responded to the message
BUT Peter didn’t wait a few days/ few weeks. They baptized all 3000 that day.
• Acts 8 tells us about a Ethiopian Eunuch who was traveling home in his chariot. This man was studying the book of Isaiah as he traveled along and God sent a Deacon named Philip to teach him about Jesus. The Eunuch was convicted of his need to become a Christian and Acts 8:36 says “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’" And they stopped the chariot and Philip baptized him that very hour. They didn’t turn around and try to find a group of believers to “witness” his decision.
• Then in Acts 16 tells us Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching about Jesus. Acts 16: 26-33 tells us
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!" The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved— you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. AT THAT HOUR OF THE NIGHT the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.”
Again and again in Acts we find people were baptized immediately upon believing in Jesus. Why? Because you don’t leave dead bodies lying around. If a person is dying to their sin… you bury them. In the days of Jesus, if you left a body out for more than 3 days it began to stink!
So, why do churches wait? Why don’t they baptize people right away? Well, they wait because they don’t believe baptism is involved in our salvation. “You’re already saved” they’ll say and baptism is merely a public declaration of the decision you’ve made. They say “baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace”. Where is that phrase found in Scripture? It’s not, and that’s because this teaching is a relatively new one.
For the first 1500 years of the church’s existence everybody taught that baptism was part of the salvation act. Every early church leader who talked about baptism taught this.
Justin Martyr (A.D. 110-165) said “We have learned from the apostles this reason” for baptism: “in order that we… may obtain in the water the remission of sins” (First Apology, 61).
Tertullian (A.D. 145-220) said, “Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life” (On Baptism iii). Also “The act of baptism… is carnal, in that we are plunged in water, but the effect is spiritual, in that we are freed from sins” (ibid., vii).
Cyril of Jerusalem (A.D. 315-386) said, “When going down… into the water, think not of the bare element, but look for salvation by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Catechetical Lectures III:4).
This was a consistent teaching of church until 1500’s when reformer named Zwingli (1484-1531) came along (Jack Cottrell, The History of Baptism Christian Standard, June 2004)
Over the past 500 years religious leaders have gradually drifted away from baptism as being a part of the salvation act. They’ve replaced baptism by Praying a “sinner’s prayer” and “asking Jesus into your heart”
Where does the Bible use phrases like that? It doesn’t.
Instead, the Bible teaches us that when you have been “baptized into Christ (you have) clothed yourselves with Christ.” Galatians 3:27
1 Peter 3:21 says “and this water (Noah’s Flood) symbolizes baptism that now saves you also— not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
But, now wait a minute? I thought I was saved by the Grace of God through faith? Yes you are. But our faith is shown by our repentance of sins, confession of Jesus as Lord and our allowing ourselves to be buried in the waters of baptism.
Baptism is an expression of our faith. That’s what Colossians 2:12 that says “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.
Faith and baptism work hand in hand in our salvation. As Jesus said in Mark 16:16: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” To merely be baptized without faith, repentance and confession of Jesus is to just get wet. But to believe baptism isn’t part of the process is to go counter to the teachings of Scripture.
But there are those who say: “Do you mean to say, if I’m not baptized that I’m not saved?”
ILLUS: Frankly, that’s a legitimate question. And it’s one I struggled with for many years. Then I challenged a radio preacher on a highly questionable treatment of a Scripture that dealt with baptism. His ministry responded by asking me that very question: “Do you believe that if someone has believed, repented and confessed Jesus as Lord but isn’t baptized that they’re going to hell?” I thought about that question for a number of days, but then one day – while teaching the youth group – I realized how I could answer the question.
One of the kids asked about what a “testament” was (as in “Old Testament and New Testament). I asked if any of them knew the answer to that and was met with blank stares. So I asked “does anyone know what a “covenant” is. Again blank stares and I realized I’d have to simplify it even more. “Does anyone know what a contract is?” I asked, and hands shot up as several of them knew the answer to that.
Then I knew how I could answer the radio minister’s question.
Let’s say Mr. Smith has a house for sale. He comes to me – Strite Reality – and says he wants to put his house on the market and he’s asking $100,000… but there is one major stipulation. He has an above ground pool out back that does NOT go with the house. It’s a one of a kind pool and they don’t make them like that anymore. So I put my sign on his property and within a few days Mr. Jones comes into my house with $100,000 cash. He tells me that he’s always admired Smith’s home and he’s so determined to have the place that he wants to sign today and give me the cash immediately. BUT then he tells me that one of the things he admires most about Smith’s house is the above ground pool out back. He just has to have it with the home.
Now – we have an offer and an acceptance. Do we have a deal? No. In Real Estate it’s called “the meeting of the minds.” It can be a simple a matter as the color of the light switch in the living room – but if both parties don’t completely agree on the terms of the sale – there is no meeting of the minds and thus no deal.
Now, can I tell Mr. Jones “No problem. Mr. Smith won’t mind giving you the pool. Just give me the $100,000 and you’ll be able to move in immediately”? No. Why not? I don’t own the house. It’s not my decision.
Well, can I tell Mr. Jones “I’m sorry, there is no way Mr. Smith will sell you that house with the pool”? Again – no. I don’t own the house. If Mr. Smith wants to sell Jones the house with the pool he’s perfectly within his rights because it is his house.
As a good Real Estate agent I might suggest to Jones that he offer Smith a “counter-offer” (I’ll give you $100,000 but I want the pool). Does Smith have to accept the counter-offer? No. But he can if he wants to because it’s HIS house.
Now what would happen if I (as the agent) just don’t bother to tell Mr. Jones about that small matter of the pool? I take his money, arrange the signing of the contract and walk away with my commission and let them sort it out later. What would happen? I’d be sued! Maybe I’d face jail time! And I’d definitely lose my license.
Now this is how it all plays out. God has a house for sale. It’s called Salvation. He’s paid for that house with His own blood and there’s no way I can ever repay that loan. But in order for us to accept His free gift He’s asked us to respond by: • Believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God. • Repenting of our sins. • Confessing Jesus as our Lord and Master • Being buried in the waters of baptism and rising to a new life • And by living our lives for Him.
Let’s say someone comes forward at the invitation and they say: “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, and I want to repent of my sins, but I don’t want Jesus to be the Lord of my life.” What that man is doing is offering God a counter offer. If God wants to accept that counter offer, He can. It’s His house. But I wouldn’t bet the farm on that happening because that’s not how the contract is written. If I want to accept God’s gift of salvation I’d better do it on His terms rather than mine. Thus, if someone believes, repents and confesses Jesus as Lord but doesn’t want to get baptized they’re offering God a counter offer. And God CAN accept that counteroffer if He wants to because it’s His house. But I wouldn’t want to take that chance. I’d rather do it the way the contract (the Bible) lays it out.
Now, what would happen to me if I (as the agent of God) told someone “No problem. You don’t have to get baptized if you don’t want to”? I’d be in serious trouble. James 3:1 says “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” God expects those who teach/preach to know the Bible well enough to avoid misleading others on the things God expects of us. So I’m not about to leave baptism out of the picture for any reason whatever!
CLOSE: Several years ago Rick Stacy baptized a man in Lake Superior. It was late October and about 9:00 PM. Rick had been talking with Myron and his wife about accepting the Lord as their personal savior and sealing that decision with baptism into Jesus. Myron was hesitant for a long time and then finally said, “Yes, I want to accept Jesus – and I want to be baptized tonight – right now in Lake Superior. In case you don’t know Lake Superior is cold. The average temperature (year round) is about 38 degrees. This was late October and the waves were running 3 feet high. The water was very cold. They were going to walk out waist deep into the water, but only made it about knee deep. Rick laid Myron down and the waves washed over him as he was baptized in the name of Jesus.
When they went back to Myron’s home for some hot cocoa and a hot soak for their cold feet, Rick asked him why it was so important that he do this that night in Lake Superior. His answer: “I was in the army, an officer in the infantry during Viet Nam. I saw and did things that no man should see or do. I wanted my sins buried in the deepest and coldest place…” (Rick Stacy, Meridian Christian Church, Okemos, Michigan, October 2001)
