We Believe in Baptism
April 16, 2023
1. Water baptism is a surrender to Christ.
Romans 6:4 NIV
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Jesus surrendered himself to death on the cross. We surrender ourselves to death in baptism.
In baptism, we identify with Christ’s death, which He suffered for our sins.
We also identify with Christ’s resurrection, which achieved victor over sin and death.
The history of the Easter Vigil – Sundown on Holy Saturday, with candles lit, people would be baptized as a sign that they, too, were participating with Christ in his resurrection!
Baptism is our outward protest of sin’s attempt to win an inward war.
Baptism is receiving the forgiveness that’s already ours!!
2. Water baptism marks us as part of the family.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NIV
“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
Galatians 3:26-28 NIV
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
In many cultures, people will believe in Jesus, but will not be water baptized. Why? Water baptism marks us as a part of the family – we belong.
No one can baptize themselves.
We’re allowing another person to immerse us in water!
