Sermon Study # 234 – Why Water Baptism (part 1)
READ > Acts 8:26-39 (KJV)
Key Passage: Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:
Jesus:
Mat 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Mat 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Mat 3:15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. Mat 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. Mat 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
The early Christians.
Acts 10:45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. Acts 10:46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, Acts 10:47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." Acts 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
“We are saved from the punishment of sin; we are being saved from the power of sin and we will be saved from the presence of sin.”
3 TRUTHS ABOUT WATER BAPTISM:
1. GOD INITIATED WATER BAPTISM, NOT MAN. - (Mat 21:25; John 1:33)
A) Mat 21:25 John’s baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, ’From heaven,’ he will ask, ’Then why didn’t you believe him?’
Note: Christ asked this question because the people understood that John’s baptism came from God.
B) John 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one(The Father) who sent me to baptize with water told me, ’The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Note: John states that the Father sent him to baptize with water.
2. WATER BAPTISM IS SECONDARY TO SALVATION, IT IS NOT SALVATION. - (Acts 2:38; 19:4)
A) Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Note: Peter announced that repentance was a prerequisite to being baptized.
B) Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Note: Philip indicates o the eunuch that if he believes he can be baptized – no other qualification or credential needed.
3. WATER BAPTISM IS A BEGINNING, NOT AN END. - (Col. 2:11-12; 1 John 5:6)
A) Col 2:11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Note: Baptism is not only the public testimony of the burial of your old self, but it is a declaration of your new self being raised!
B) 1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
Note: Jesus did not come by water only – the water represents His baptism by John. Jesus came by water and blood – the blood represents Christ mission “The Cross”
