Baptism: Is it really a part of the plan?
PRAYER
From the Christian reader
As teacher of the "20-Something" Sunday school class, I receive information on prospective new members for our group. Recently, one person had noted on his sheet under "Circumstances of Salvation" that he had "Accepted Christ in high school. Was baptized but would like to be reimbursed (crossed out)--reimmersed."
-- Steve Page, Wichita, Kansas. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare."
I do believe that for those of us who have been baptized, who live faithful obedient lives and are being saved we will ultimately be reimbursed.
I have been preaching in my last few messages about God’s plan of salvation. I have talked about Grace, Faith and Repentance today we look at another part of the plan Baptism.
Baptism is not a direct translation from the Greek- in other words a direct translation is one that exactly matches a word in the original language to one in the translated language. E.g. in the Greek hudraino means water and is translated water. Not so for Baptism, it is a new word transliterated from the Greek word baptidzo (Bap- teased-o), which means to immerse. To transliterate a word is to represent or spell in the characters of another alphabet. So we ended up with a new word made from the word being translated. I think it would have saved many many arguments had the translators used the word immersed instead of baptized. Well, as a matter of fact Alexander Campbell did this in his translation of the NT called The Living Oracles- every time he came across the word baptized he translated the word immersed and when he found the word baptism he translated the word immersion. It fits perfectly in every context.
But the real question remains! What role does baptism- by immersion take In God’s plan of salvation?
First, we must understand that salvation is a beautiful pearl enclosed in the Word of God. God wants us to search that Pearl out- by digging into His word.
I think of two places that Jesus brought the message of salvation once to a woman at a well, He spoke of living water. Once we have drunk of Living water we will not be thirsty again.
Another time at night
John 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?"
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The very last thing Jesus said to His disciples: Mat 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing (immersing) them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
On the day of Pentecost, the day that the church was started in Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized (immersed) in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We must be baptized if we are going to be obedient to God’s will for our lives. Jesus himself- the one who was without sin came to John the Baptist- who was preaching a message of repentance to be baptized (immersed) and after protesting John the Baptist who knew he was not worthy to untie Jesus sandals baptized him. Why? Because, Jesus wanted to fulfill all righteousness. Nobody on the face of the earth has ever been more righteous and more obedient than Jesus Christ-yet HE submits to baptism.
Scripture is replete with the fact that Jesus must be our example. The simple fact that Jesus was baptized- should be in and of itself enough of an example for the rest of us to do the same
Some evangelicals will tell you that baptism is just an “add on”- like circumcision They will say that like Abraham you are credited with righteousness by faith.
They use the verse in Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
They will tell you that the moment Abraham was credited with righteousness by God he was saved.
I want you to know that a text without a context is a pretext for a proof text.
What does that mean?
Well it means when a biblical question is asked and the person goes to individual passages in scripture and quotes those as the answer-w/o considering the context in which they were written. That is proof texting. They are proving there point by the text and not the whole of scripture.
e.g. Modern day evangelicals use this verse to evangelize:
Rev 3:20 ’Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.
They use it to proclaim that if you only let Jesus into your heart you will be saved.
1. It is a verse from a letter written to Christians not to non-Christians.
2. There is no door in our hearts- we choose to be a slave to Christ or a slave to sin.
3.
OR
Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
That would be real easy believeism wouldn’t it?
Baptism is not a work like teaching or giving it is a command-It is the required response of a Holy God to our faith and repentance.
Many modern day evangelicals will go to the NT re: Abraham’s FAITH which led to his salvation and quote.
Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
If we are going to examine Abraham’s life and his salvation through FAITH and we need to look at the OT and take a very close look at his obedience.
There is a principle we need to see in Abraham’s life and that is:
True Faith is always coupled with obedient action that is undergirded by real love that manifests itself into obedience to the one who is loved.
Isn’t that what Jesus said" If you love me – you will obey me”
Let’s examine where Abraham was credited with righteousness. Well, it came right after Abraham had rescued his nephew Lot and the LORD told him his reward would be very Great.
Abraham said “How can that be I have no Heirs” God promises him an heir and offspring as numerous as all the stars in the sky.
Gen 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
To those who try to teach us that we are saved by Grace through faith alone and then they totally discount the balance of the plan of salvation Why? Because they want easy BELIEVISM!
I would say take a look at what Abraham did when God commanded him to be circumcised. I agree in Gen 15:6 Abraham was obedient to the Lord as far as what God had provided for him to be obedient too. But now look at Abraham’s continued obedience in Gen 17:10 "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised.
Gen 17:11 "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.
Gen 17:12 "And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.
Gen 17:13 "A servant who is born in your house or who is bought with your money shall surely be circumcised; thus shall My covenant be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Gen 17:14 "But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."
What was Abraham’s response as a faithful man?
Obedience!!
Gen 17:23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him.
Gen 17:24 Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Gen 17:25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Gen 17:26 In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
Gen 17:27 And all the men of his household, who were born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
Notice that the command to be circumcised came after the time that Abraham’s faithfulness was credited to him as righteousness-just like our baptism comes after we have heard the word, having faith that it is true and repenting.
Principle:
God is as serious today about our obedience to be baptized as He was in OT days about circumcision.
Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day as His Father commanded and Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness, because Jesus knows that God is serious about His people following His commands!
Consider what the author of Hebrews says regarding obedience and it’s relationship to rest. The rest here is the rest of eternal life with God- oh not that we won’t be working we will be working but we will not be fatigued.
Heb 4:6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
I want you to point out something to you today- that is easily overlooked and that is the fact God was about to put to death one of His greatest leaders because this leader was being disobedient to God’s law requiring circumcision.
Do you know that God was going to KILL MOSES?
Why in the world was God going to kill Moses?
God had just gone through a lengthy explanation of how Moses was going to be His agent to free almost 2,000,000 Hebrews from slavery in Egypt.
What do you think was more important to God that Moses be the one to do this great work or that Moses should be OBEDIENT?
It is interesting because this little piece of information is contained in just 3 verses and I think often overlooked.
LOOK AT:
Exo 4:24 Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death.
Exo 4:25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me." I do not think that was particularly kind or flattering, and I don’t know about you, but I would not appreciate being hit with a couple of foreskins.
Now, I can tell you for sure today
That circumcision has nothing to do with salvation today- But BAPTISM does and God is just as serious about us following HIS command to be baptized as He was about those from Abraham through to Joseph and Mary to obey His command of circumcision on the 8th day.
In the book of Acts- there is much to do about circumcision being required as a prerequisite to becoming a Christian. Basically, a group of Jews believed that unless a Gentile was circumcised, he was still unclean. Their basic argument was that to become a Christian and to be saved you had to become a Jew first and follow the Law of Moses.
Acts 15:1 And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
Acts 15:6 And the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.
The decision
Acts 15:11 "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."
That’s really the question isn’t it what must we do to be saved?
We are looking at the way to be saved aren’t we?
1. We have looked at faith- from the perspective of God’s grace and mercy, we have looked at repentance- a Godly sorrow that leads to a change for the better and to salvation and today another essential ingredient in the entire plan that of Baptism.
2. Baptism is elementary in the plan- it is not complicated it is basic. It is for the baby believer.
3. Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
4. Heb 6:2 of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
It is interesting to me that in the very next chapter Acts 16 Paul circumcises Timothy- after they had just gone through this whole circumcision thing. Acts 16:1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek,
Acts 16:2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
Acts 16:3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
I think God is showing us that in matters of tradition we have liberty, but in matters of doctrine we must be unified. I think God is saying hey if it is going to cause the traditional Jew to stumble and not hear the message of Christ b/c you are uncircumcised- You who are the most spiritual throw out no stumbling block and have yourself circumcised. But understand your traditions are not a part of your salvation.
But now notice it is in this same chapter where the question is asked by the Philippian Jailer!
Acts 16:30 and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Acts 16:31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household."
Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.
Acts 16:33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
So we see in v31 FAITH. And we see the name LORD Jesus- which I am sure the jailer and his family were told, that to make Jesus your LORD- meant He was your owner. That in Baptism you become His slave I am sure they were told about obedience to Christ as master- Their participation in the gospel then you shall be saved. V32. They spoke the Word of the Lord to them- they told them what following Christ would cost, they told them of the love of God. Probably something like: Philippians 1:5-6. Participate in being obedient to the gospel, repent when you sin- do not turn away and the work God has started in you He will perfect in you.
Then others will tell you that Baptism is just an outward sign for other believers so they may witness your demonstration of faith. Or it shows that you do it for them so you can be a part of their church.
If that were so why would God call Phillip out of Samaria where he was preaching due to the persecution from Saul and many people were coming to Christ for one Ethiopian eunuch?
Acts 8:36 And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said^, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"
Acts 8:37
Acts 8:38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 8:39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.
Satan must just love it when church leaders downplay the importance of baptism to believers. Any leader who tells you that baptism is an “add on” or not a part of God’s plan of salvation is misinformed. As a fellow teacher of the Word I would not care to be in his shoes on that day.
Some today say you can be baptized with the Holy Spirit- We saw that two times in the NT once for the apostle’s on the day of Pentecost and once for the Gentile’s at Cornelius’ house. Simply to show that the Kingdom was for all people.
Today if you believe by faith and are baptized (immersed) into the suffering, the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus the Christ you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
When you are baptized you get a new master. The Old Self dies and we no longer sit on the throne of our lives, but Christ does. We begin the process after Baptism called sanctification i.e. the new nature starts to replace our old nature and after a while as we participate in the gospel or new nature can become our primary nature.
God’s plan is total and complete- it requires study of the scriptures for it to be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit’
Salvation belongs to the Lord, so if somebody has something I want and I want SALVATION I will do what they say so I can get it.
Baptism alone will not save us, we must believe, we must repent, and we must participate in the gospel by living lives in humble brokeness and obedience. But Baptism can not be omitted from the plan.
If you believe? Don’t let anything stop you from being baptized?
Song of invitation
