TEXT: Romans 6:1-14
ETS: The Apostle Paul illustrates the realities of salvation through the symbolism of Christian baptism.
ESS: Believers are to live out the new life that Christ has given to them.
OSS: Believers will commit to live out the life pictured in their baptism.
PQ: What is the meaning and significance of baptism?
UW: Truths
TITLE:”The Meaning of Baptism”
Introduction:
There is a lot of confusion about the subject of baptism. Men teach a number of different things about baptism. Some go to seed on the subject while others ignore it altogether.
The story is told of the preacher who went to pastor a particular church. He was one who was fond of preaching on water baptism. Week after week he would preach about baptism. Finally in desperation, the deacons requested that he allow them to pick his scripture text for the following Sunday’s message. He agreed. They assigned him the text Genesis 1:1. “There“, they said, “let us see him get a sermon on baptism out of that verse.” When he got up to preach, he announced the agreed upon text. His opening sentence then followed, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth is two-thirds water. Today’s subject is Water Baptism.”
While we chuckle at his persistence, and realize that he had gone to seed on the subject, to ignore the Biblical teaching on baptism is also wrong.
What does the Bible teach about Baptism? It is one of the basics of the faith. Our text helps us to understand some truths about baptism.
I. BAPTISM IS TO BE DONE IN A PARTICULAR WAY (V.3).
A. The word “Baptize” indicates us the mode.
1. “baptizo” means, “to immerse, to submerge .”
B. The practice shown in the New Testament demonstrates the mode.
1. Jesus was baptized this way (Matthew 3:13-17)
2. Jesus Commanded this type of baptism for those who believe (Matt. 28:18-20).
3. Peter Commanded it at Pentecost (Acts 2:38).
4. Every time believers were baptized in the book of Acts, this is how it was done (Acts 2:41; 8:12,38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:33).
C. The Picture presented in the act of baptism mandates the mode.
1. It pictures death burial and resurrection.
II. BAPTISM IDENTIFIES US OPENLY WITH CHRIST (VS. 3, 5)
A. It is a public identification with the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross (v.3).
1. When we are baptized, we are openly expressing our faith in the substitutionary death that Jesus died for us on the cross (2 Cor. 5:21).
B. We are identified as becoming united with Jesus (v.5)
1. Notice Paul’s words, “Baptized into Christ”. This denotes the fact that we are in union with Christ.
* When the husband and wife are united at the marriage altar, they become “One flesh”. When we are baptized, we become one with the Savior. Baptism identifies us with Christ as the wedding identifies the bride with her groom.
III. BAPTISM SHOWS THE IMPACT OF OUR SALVATION EXPERIENCE (V. 4, 6-8).
A. Baptism shows the Gospel message that Jesus died for our sins and rose again for our justification. (v. 4)
1. Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).
2. He arose so that we can be justified
(Romans 4:25)” Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
B. Baptism shows that the believer has died to the old life of sin and has been raised to walk in a different life.(vss.6-7).
1. The believer is a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
2. The key to living the Christian life is to let Jesus live through you (Gal. 2:20).
C. Baptism shows that the believer will one day live with Christ (v.8).
1. When we are saved, we are guaranteed a home in heaven. (1 Thess. 4:13-17).
IV. BAPTISM DEMONSTRATES THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE
(VSS. 9-10).
A. The resurrection demonstrates that Jesus is eternally victorious over death and the grave (v. 9).
1. Jesus defeated death and the grave forever. (Re 1:18) “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
(Heb 2:14) “ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
B. Jesus’ one death was eternally sufficient for our sins (v.10).
1. Some believe that Jesus must be ceremonially slain repeatedly, the scriptures say that he died once for all. His death paid the penalty for sin in full.(Heb 10:12-14) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
V. BAPTISM IS A CALL TO COMMITMENT FOR THE BELIEVER (VSS. 11-14).
A. It is a call to commitment for us to forsake the ways of the world (v. 11a, 12-13a).
1. You must commit to see yourself as “dead” to sin .
(Ga 2:20) “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
2. The choice must be made not to let sin have dominion over you.
a. Living like the rest of the world should be an unconscienable choice.
(Ro 6:2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
B. It is a call to commitment to completely live for Christ (vss. 11b, 13b-14).
1. You must commit to live for Jesus. (Col 3:5-10)
2. You must commit to surrender your members to serve Christ.(Rom. 12:1-2)
(1 Pe 2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness
Conclusion:
Baptism is a beautiful picture. It is a witness. It is Powerful. Today we have seen what baptism really means. Are you a Christian? Have you followed the Lord in this beautiful ordinance? If not, why not come and request baptism? Take your stand openly with Jesus in the waters of Believer’s Baptism.
Christian, are you living what you professed at the time of your baptism? Why not commit to living in the newness of life that you have received in Christ?
