A. Introduction
1. Word means to dip or immerse.
2. No arguments in the Bible about mode or motivational sermons to be baptized.
3. Most abused because most visible.
B. What is baptism?
1. Proper candidate – repentant sinner.
2. Proper mode – immerse in water.
3. Proper symbol - picture of salvation.
4. Proper church – local church.
C. Why You Must Be Baptized
1. Baptism is commanded.
a. Matt. 28:19, “Go . . . baptizing them.”
b. Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized every one of you.”
c. Mark 16:15-16, “Go . . . preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
d. There is no record in the New Testament of an unbaptized Christian.
e. Repentant thief on cross was willing to do anything for eternal life. His attitude is all important.
2. Baptism follows the example of Jesus.
a. Jesus was sinless (2 Cor. 5:21, Heb. 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5, John 18:38).
b. Jesus did not need baptism, Matt. 3:14).
c. Jesus was baptized, (1) to identify with believing remnant, (2) to fulfill righteousness, Matt. 3:15, (3) to become one with those in the body and (4) as an example to us.
3. Baptism follows the example of the early church.
a. “They that gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41
b. Paul, Cornelius, Ethiopian eunuch, Philippian jailer, new believers in Samaria, Lydia
c. Note the different kinds of People baptized.
4. Baptism testifies to others.
a. If you are saved, you will want to share it. You do not have to “publicly confess” or be baptized to be saved. You can be a silent witness but shouldn’t.
b. Secret believers hurt themselves, their church, their community, and their family.
c. Do not wait for spiritual strength to be baptized, but be baptized (obey) to grow spiritually in Christ.
5. Baptism fulfills the picture of salvation.
a. Identification. “Buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
6. Strongest argument for immersion and symbolism.
a. Identify with Christ baptism.
b. Identify with atonement (death, burial, resurrection).
c. Identify with eternal security.
d. Identify with faith-method.
e. Identify with carrying out the Great Commission.
7. Baptism fulfills the call to discipleship.
a. Baptism does not gain you merit, it just makes you obedient.
b. “The like figure where unto even baptism doth now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God” (1 Peter 3:21. When you are baptized, you have obeyed your conscience.
8. An example of re-baptism after wrong meaning the first time. Acts 19:3. We believe that baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation to the Lord’s Supper; in which the members of the church by the sacred use of the bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
(Taken from Thomas Road Baptist Church Doctrinal Statement).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
