TO TELL THE TRUTH
Matthew 3: 13-17
THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERMON IS TO TELL THE TRUTH. .. TO REMOVE THE VEIL OR CLOUDS AROUND BAPTISM.
Some remember the old game show… To Tell the Truth
With Kitty Carlisle and Orson Bean
My purpose is not to remember that old game show
But to break through a lot of misinformation and set the record clean about BAPTISM
Too many people, even Christians, do not understand baptism.
I. WHAT IS BAPTISM????
Well, let’s start with what it is not…
1. IT IS NOT SALVIFIC ... does not save
If you are not saved going into water = not saved corning out
All that was required HE DID
He said, It is FINISHED”
What is required to be saved?
A…B…C
3. It IS REQUIRED to be a member of First Baptist Church
4. It IS your public declaration ... a testimony.
Like a wedding ring
Does ring make you married?
Can you be married and not wear a ring?
II. WHO CAN BE BAPTIZED?
Easy answer = CHRISTIANS
1. OLD ENOUGH to believe
2.
no infant baptism
ALWAYS»> belief and baptism go together.
2. CONVICTED of sin
3. REALIZE the wages of sin
a. paid by self = separation
b. paid by God = death
4. CONFESS their sin
5. REPENT
Apart from true repentance and belief ... BAPTISM IS NOTHING
III. WHY DO WE IMMERSE?
Some would ask “Why do you baptize by immersion?”
That is like asking… Why do you immerse by immersion? Or
Why do you baptize by baptism?
Baptism means immersion
The Greeks NEVER used baptism for sprinkling
1. Because Jesus MODELED it
Verse 16 says, "went up out of the water"
John 3:23 says that John was baptizing there because there was "MUCH WATER"
2. Because Jesus COMMANDS it.
always says baptidzo
= Immerse – to plunge under
Some faiths practice Sprinkling or Pouring and call it baptism
Do you know what a “ship of the desert” is?
It is a Camel… because of the way a camel walks it causes the rider to sway from side to side and often causes them to become seasick… just like a ship.
So, you can call a camel a ship… but it ain’t
Do you know what the “window to the soul” is?
The eyes
You can call your eyes a window… but they ain’t
And you can call pouring or sprinkling by the term baptism… but they ain’t
3. Because it is SYMBOLIC
Rom. 6:3-4 says Baptism symbolizes our…
death
When you die, they don’t just sprinkle or pour a cup of dirt on you
And when you die to sin, it is not just a little bit
burial
resurrection
IV. WHAT PART DOES THE WATER PLAY?
Water CLEANSES
Water SYMBOLIZES the grave
V. WHY SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?
Christ commands it
"To fulfill all righteousness" = to be completely obedient to God
VI. WHAT IF I AM NOT BAPTIZED?
“Going straight to hell, burn in the hottest part”
What did Jesus say to the repentant thief on the cross?
You will not be totally obedient
You will have to answer for it.
