The Great Commission of evangelizing the world was given to the New Testament church. Our job is not complete until the convert is baptized. The burden rests upon the church to teach the doctrine of baptism. The burden rests upon the convert to conform to it after they have been taught. Many saved people are going to lose their rewards for not being baptized. Baptism is not necessary for finished salvation, but evidence of salvation.
I. The First Church was Organized by Believers in Christ who were Baptized by John the Baptist
1. Luke 6:12-13
2. 1 Corinthians 12:28
II. A Person Should be Baptized soon after They Have Been Saved.
1. Acts 2:21; 8:36-38
2. Acts 9:18; 16:33; 18:8
III. Blood of Christ Washes Away Sin, not the Waters of Baptism
1. 1 John 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20; Leviticus 17:11
2. Bible accounts of sinners being saved without baptism.
a. Luke 5:18-20; Luke 7:37-48
b. Luke 23:42-43; Acts 2:21
3. If water was essential for salvation, Paul would have baptized more.
a. 1 Corinthians 1:14-18
b. Romans 1:16; power of the gospel
c. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; what the gospel is.
IV. Baptism for Believers Only
1. Not infants.
2. If you are saved after you were baptized, then you need to do it again.
3. Acts 8:35-38
V. How We are Baptized.
1. Immersion in water
2. Matthew 3:16-17; John 3:23
3. Acts 8:33
VI. Baptism Shows Identity with Christ.
1. Romans 6:4-6
2. Shows the believer is putting away the old sinful man and putting on the new man to walk in a new life.
VII. Baptism is an Answer of a Good Conscience Toward God.
1. 1 Peter 3:21
2. 2 Corinthians 5:10
3. We will all give account of deeds done in the body.
4. This teaches we will give an account to God whether we have been baptized or not.
