The Right Baptism Of The Right Person Series

37) THE RIGHT BAPTISM OF THE RIGHT PERSON

We Believe In One Baptism – Involving The Right Person.

Text: Ephesians 4:5

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”

BRIEF RECAP

Last week we looked at the fact that we Believe in the ordinance of Scriptural Baptism.

After all – “Baptism” is something clearly practiced and evident throughout the New Testament.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of confusion today amongst wider Religions

About what exactly Baptism is - and what it signifies.

Ephesians 4:5 clearly states there is only: One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Now if there is so only One Baptism in the Bible,

Then it has to be the Right kind of Baptism for us to follow.

But what exactly is Baptism?

And what does it signify and picture in the life of a Believer?

Well in our last lesson - we looked at 3 separate truths and spiritual principles…

That the act of Scriptural Baptism conveys through the life of a believer.

You see, Baptism is not only incredibly significant – but it is spiritually pictorial,

And sadly – this is a level of truth lost on most people,

Including God’s own Children.

BAPTISIMS 3 SPIRITUAL PICTURES

1) The Gospel

The first thing illustrated through Scriptural Baptism - is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now the act of Baptism does not save a person!

You don’t get baptised in order to be saved.

Remember, there are only two key themes taught throughout the entire Bible,

One is the message of Salvation – and details how we can be saved through Jesus Christ.

The other key theme taught in the Bible relates to Service…

And teaches how after being saved – a believer can live a life faithfully serving God.

Now “Salvation” and “Service” are two entirely different messages…

And they relate to entirely different things.

But both are critical when it comes to understanding God’s greater plan for us,

And our Christian walk and relationship with Him.

After being “Saved” and accepting the Gospel truth of Salvation,

For those who have the heart to then follow and Serve Christ - Baptism is the next step.

And again I must be clear on this - Baptism is not what saves a person,

But the Gospel message of Jesus Christ…

That is pictured and portrayed outwardly to others through Baptism,

Well that Is what can save a person.

Remember how Paul defined the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. He said:

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

So this is how Paul defined the Gospel message he preached,

And this is the first spiritual picture that we see through Baptism.

When a believer is fully submersed under the water - and then raised up again,

It signifies to all the death, burial, and resurrection message of Jesus Christ…

And the salvation so freely offered, and accepted by a believer through Him. Amen!

2) Death To The Old Man

The second picture portrayed through baptism…

And again one spiritually significant to every believer,

Is how after being saved and redeemed by Christ – one can then move on to serve Him.

In Romans 6:3-5 Paul explains what serving Christ must involve saying:

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Now the word “Into” used in verse 3 is the Greek word eis - and it is a preposition.

It primarily expresses the idea of a motion, direction or focus towards something.

In this regard the “into” could be expressed with a view towards, or with reference to Christ Death.

On the other hand, the word like used in verse 4 – well that is the Greek term h?sper

And it used as a point of comparison. It speaks of a “like figure” or “example”.

Now when we put all of this together it is interesting how these verses read because we are told:

Those who are baptised are baptised “into” or with a view towards Christ’s death.

We are Baptised “into” or with a reference towards His death…