BACK TO BASICS #3
“Why Do We Need to Be Baptized?”
Adapted from a message by Stephen Sheane
Acts 2:38-39
January 29th, 2017
Solid Rock Baptist Church
Rev Dan Bauder
INTRODUCTION
This morning we are continuing our “Back to Basics “series by looking at the subject of baptism. While I am not aware of any Christian groups who de-emphasize its importance, I did come across a story that illustrates the confusion that exists concerning baptism.
A drunk stumbled along a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeded to walk down into the water and stood next to the Preacher. The minister turned and noticed the old drunk and said, "Mister, are you ready to find Jesus?" The drunk looks back and says, "Sure." The minister then dunked the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up. "Have you found Jesus?" the preacher asks. "Nope" says the drunk. The preacher then dunks him under for quite a bit longer, brings him up and says, "Now, brother, have you found Jesus?" The drunk said, “Nope." The preacher then put him under the water again and holds the man under for at least 30 seconds this time brings him out of the water and says in a harsh tone, "Friend, are you sure you haven’t found Jesus yet?" The old drunk wiped his eyes and said to the preacher "No… but are you sure this is where he fell in?"
The preacher in this story illustrates those who believe salvation comes thru baptism. The drunk in this story illustrates those who don’t really understand what baptism is about. (Explain) My goal this morning is to show you from the Scriptures what baptism is and why it is important.
I. IT IS AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE (see Matthew 3:13)
A. Jesus was baptized as an example for us to follow. Notice the phrase, “to fulfill all righousness”
1. There are some who believe Jesus was baptized to show us what we must do in order to receive forgiveness of sin. NOTHING IS FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!
2. Jesus was sinless.
a. If Jesus had been born the way you and I were he would have inherited a sin nature. I Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
B. Jesus commanded it (Matthew 28:19)
C. It is a picture of what has happen to us spiritually.
1. Romans 6:3-4 says, “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.
D. It is how we can show the world we belong to Jesus. I John 2:3-6 says, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Based on this passage I believe I can safely say, “Anyone who makes a public profession of faith and refuses to be baptized either doesn’t understand the reason for baptism or isn’t saved.”
1. Baptism is where faith and action come together
II. WE CAN’T BEGIN THE MINISTRY GOD HAS FOR US WITHOUT IT
A. Matthew 3:16 says, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He[c] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
CONCLUSION
According to the scriptures, what is baptism? It is a picture of what has happened to us spiritually. It is the way we as believers put what we say we believe into action or, as someone told me yesterday, “I’m showing God just how serious I am about living for Him!”
