Introduction
A. Lets begin by reading Matthew 28:16 - 20
Matthew 28:16-20 (NKJV)
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. {17} When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. {18} And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. {19} "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, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
1. The first two verses are basically information
a. The disciples obeyed the words of the angel and Jesus, “Go to Galilee, and there you will see Jesus the Lord”
b. The 18th verse assures the disciples of the authority Jesus is passing onto them
c. But, there is much to learn from verses 19 & 20
B. This message was first preached in 1997.
1. I include this because it is the last message in the Gospel of Matthew.
a. Thrust of this passage is two fold
(1) Evangelism
(2) And the first step of obedience as a Christian, baptism
2. This story comes from Focus On the Family Magazine and it is about a time in the life of a preacher's family. It went something like this: "As a minister, I conduct many baptismal services. My denomination baptizes in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. One Sunday, my family and I went to a friend's home in the country. Our four children went outside to play with the others. After a short while, we heard only silence and wondered what the children were up to. We found them behind a barn quietly playing "church." Our 4-year-old daughter Susan was conducting the baptismal service. She held a cat over a barrel of water. Trying to be as solemn as her father, she repeated the phrase she had heard many times: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and in the hole you go!"
3. As I look at the world and all the things God created; I believe, with all my heart, that our God has a wonderful sense of humor.
a. I would like to think that God just roared with laughter at this incident
b. Let's turn to Matthew 3:1 - 7
C. Baptism is a ritual that has been practiced for over 2,000 years
1. In the 2nd Century BC the Jews practiced baptism for those gentiles who converted to Judaism
a. After the individual had healed from his circumcision, he would be brought to the place of baptism and there place in the water. While he stood in the water, the Scribes would instruct the candidate in the weightier and lighter parts of the Mosaic LAW. Then the candidate would submerge himself and when he came up out of the water he was considered to be an Israelite in every way.
Matthew 3:1-7 (NKJV)
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" {3} For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'" {4} And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. {5} Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him {6} and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. {7} But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
b. John the Baptist took baptism another step. Those who came to him would receive the baptism of repentance.
(1) Repentance means turning around and going in the opposite direction. Those who were weighted down by the burden of sin and rebellion in their lives would come to John to be baptized.
(2) This for a Jew was a humbling experience. After all, it was gentiles, who were baptized into the religion of the Jews.
(3) But, a person had to humble himself before God and before himself and admit that they were actually no better than the gentiles who were converting to Judaism.
(4) John the Baptist's message of repentance was the same as that of God's earlier prophets. John announced the nearness of God's kingdom, called for ethical fruit in keeping with repentance, and baptized in water as a sign of that repentance.
(5) Then we have John's confession in verse 11 of chapter 3.
D. The baptism of Christ
Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
1. In Matthew 28:1 - 20 Jesus commanded that His disciples be baptized
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
"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, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
a. The most literal translation of this passage out of the Greek says, "While you are going, make disciples of all ethnic groups, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey all things that I have commanded you and, behold, I am with you always, even to the very end of the age. Amen."
b. As I studied, I consulted my reference materials and could not find a reason for the practice of baptizing babies.
(1) Disciples must be taught
(a) Babies cannot be taught
(2) Disciples must obey
(a) Babies cannot obey
c. I mentioned a in another series the difference between the liturgical churches practices and ours
(1) A family will take their child to the pastor to be baptized. This is in the belief that baptism is necessary to protect the child's soul until the child is able to choose Christ as savior.
(2) And we can agree with the motive of such parents. They love their child and want to do all that is in the best interest of the child. Unfortunately, so many make that their last visit to the church for many years.
(3) Baptist families, on the other hand, dedicate our selves to bringing our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We present the child and ourselves to God and pray His help and guidance in this task. This becomes an 18 to 21 year commitment to Church and Sunday School, AWANA, and so many other things.
d. Our dear friends in the liturgical churches cannot fault our motives if they do not agree with our methods.
2. Well, enough of that, this morning we are going to look into Christ's baptism
a. First, is water baptism
b. Second is Spirit baptism
c. And third is fire baptism
d. Let's return to Matthew 28:19
II. Body
A. Water baptism
Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
"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,
1. First, notice Jesus words in this verse,
a. As I said earlier, while you are going make disciples
b. Jesus' Great Commission includes the command to baptize.
(1) The sequence of His commands is important.
(2) Beginning with a participle (while you are going),
(3) Jesus used the imperative "make disciples of all nations.''
(4) This command is followed immediately by "baptizing them,'' showing that in this way they were identified to the world as His followers.
(5) Then comes the final command, "teaching them,'' which is the meaning of the word "disciple'' (learner).
c. So you see that water baptism becomes the sign of public confession of Jesus as Savior and Lord, identifying a follower of Jesus.
(1) We must also note that all three Persons of the Godhead are connected with baptism.
2. Jesus didn't command to baptize in His name only as the practice of some is
a. All three members of the God head are bound up in our salvation
(1) In John 6:44, Jesus tells us this concerning the Father
John 6:44 (NKJV)
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
(a) The Father must draw the individual to the finished work of Christ upon the cross
(b) It is the Father who draws
(2) It is by Jesus Christ and His sacrifice upon the cross that we are reconciled to God
(a) If we turn to 1 Timothy 2:5, we find that there is one mediator between God and men
1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
(b) And 1 John 2:1 & 2, we find that He is also the propitiation for our sins
1 John (2:1-2 (NKJV)
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. {2} And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
(c) John also says that He is our advocate, our defense attorney
i) The Son not only died for our sin.
ii) He now intercedes for us with the Father.
iii) As the only Person ever to live without sin, He is qualified to do this.
iv) This means the believer must trust both Father and Son.
(3) Lastly, if we turn to John 16:7-8, we find that it is the Holy Spirit that convicts people
(John 16:7-8 NKJV) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. {8} "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
(a) The comforter is the Holy Spirit
(b) It is He who speaks to the heart of man to bring conviction
b. In actuality, all three persons of the God head are bound up in all the baptisms
(1) Now if you will turn to Acts 1:5, we have Christ's words concerning the
B. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:5 (NKJV)
"for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
1. John's prediction in Matthew 3:11 that we read earlier was renewed by Jesus and fulfilled at Pentecost.
a. In Acts 1:8, Jesus predicted the effects of this Holy Spirit baptism
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
b. And if we turn to Acts 2:1 - 4, we find that power really did come upon the disciples
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
c. This power came upon them, not for their own glory; but, for the glory of Jesus Christ. If we drop down to verse 41, we find that many came to know Christ as their personal savior
Acts 2:41 (NKJV)
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
2. Baptism with the Holy Spirit brings with it many things
a. We saw it brought power
(1) With the coming of the Holy Spirit the disciples began to speak in languages other than their mother tongue
(2) If we were to continue, we would see
(a) the power to cast out demons
(b) the power to heal illness and injury
(c) even the power to raise the dead
(3) Now, not every Christian was endued with the same power
(a) and it is not in every age that Christians are given all these powers
(b) these powers must glorify Christ
b. If we turn to 1 Corinthians 12:13, we will see that this baptism with the Holy Spirit also makes each believer a part of the body of Christ, the church
1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV)
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
(1) Ryrie's Study Bible notes says this of this verse, "The Spirit joins all believers to the Body of Christ. The tense of the verb indicates a past action, and it is something all believers (even carnal ones) have experienced."
c. This verse also speaks of the indwelling Holy Spirit, "all made to drink into one Spirit." Which is a reference to the Spirit's living and dwelling within us. Jesus spoke of this in John 7:37-39, Concerning the indwelling Holy Spirit
John 7:38-39 (NKJV)
"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." {39} But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
(1) At the moment we pray to receive Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit
(2) We are given power
(3) We become one with the church, that is all Christians, alive and in glory and even those yet to come
(4) And we are indwelt by the Spirit of Christ and He will continue with us forever
d. Now, if we turn to Romans 6:3-10, we find that we were also baptized into Christ's death
Romans 6:3-10 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? {4} 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. {5} For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, {6} knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. {7} For he who has died has been freed from sin. {8} Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, {9} knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. {10} For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
(1) As Paul says in Galatians 2:20, the old me was crucified with Christ, 2,000 years ago
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
(2) The old me is dead, I was born again a new creation
(a) In order that I might be free from the power, persuasion, and penalty of sin
(b) Now, we go back to John the Baptist's words in Matthew 3:11 for the last baptism
C. The baptism of fire
Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
1. Ryrie's notes say that the baptism of fire may refer to the coming time of tribulation which precedes Christ's second coming
a. Or it may refer to Christ's judgment on the world when He comes to rule the world with the rod of iron
b. Weirsby's note are essentially the same as Ryrie's
2. In the future some where, there will come a time when the fire of God's fury will be unleashed upon the world
a. All those who have live their lives outside Christ will come under this baptism of fire
III. Conclusion
A. At this point, I want to point out that the word baptism means submerge or dip or wash
1. This is why we baptize our candidates by immersion
2. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is being immersed in Him
3. The baptism that brings us into the church is total immersion
4. The baptism that identifies us with the death of Christ is complete
B. We have probably witnessed the obedience and humbling of a child of God to the ordinance of baptism
1. In this we symbolize the baptism into death
a. That is the death, burial, and resurrection of the individual
2. In this we symbolize the baptism of the Holy Spirit
3. In this we symbolize the identification of the believer with the life of Christ, as Paul said in Galatians 2:20
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
