To Tell The Truth - Baptism

TO TELL THE TRUTH

Matthew 3: 13-17

THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERMON IS TO TELL THE TRUTH. .. TO REMOVE THE VEIL OR CLOUDS AROUND BAPTISM.

Some remember the old game show… To Tell the Truth

With Kitty Carlisle and Orson Bean

My purpose is not to remember that old game show

But to break through a lot of misinformation and set the record clean about BAPTISM

Too many people, even Christians, do not understand baptism.

I. WHAT IS BAPTISM????

Well, let’s start with what it is not…

1. IT IS NOT SALVIFIC ... does not save

If you are not saved going into water = not saved corning out

All that was required HE DID

He said, It is FINISHED”

What is required to be saved?

A…B…C

3. It IS REQUIRED to be a member of First Baptist Church

4. It IS your public declaration ... a testimony.

Like a wedding ring

Does ring make you married?

Can you be married and not wear a ring?

II. WHO CAN BE BAPTIZED?

Easy answer = CHRISTIANS

1. OLD ENOUGH to believe

2.

no infant baptism

ALWAYS»> belief and baptism go together.

2. CONVICTED of sin

3. REALIZE the wages of sin

a. paid by self = separation

b. paid by God = death

4. CONFESS their sin

5. REPENT

Apart from true repentance and belief ... BAPTISM IS NOTHING

III. WHY DO WE IMMERSE?

Some would ask “Why do you baptize by immersion?”

That is like asking… Why do you immerse by immersion? Or

Why do you baptize by baptism?

Baptism means immersion

The Greeks NEVER used baptism for sprinkling

1. Because Jesus MODELED it

Verse 16 says, "went up out of the water"

John 3:23 says that John was baptizing there because there was "MUCH WATER"

2. Because Jesus COMMANDS it.

always says baptidzo

 = Immerse – to plunge under

Some faiths practice Sprinkling or Pouring and call it baptism

Do you know what a “ship of the desert” is?

It is a Camel… because of the way a camel walks it causes the rider to sway from side to side and often causes them to become seasick… just like a ship.

So, you can call a camel a ship… but it ain’t

Do you know what the “window to the soul” is?

The eyes

You can call your eyes a window… but they ain’t

And you can call pouring or sprinkling by the term baptism… but they ain’t

3. Because it is SYMBOLIC

Rom. 6:3-4 says Baptism symbolizes our…

death

When you die, they don’t just sprinkle or pour a cup of dirt on you

And when you die to sin, it is not just a little bit

burial

resurrection

IV. WHAT PART DOES THE WATER PLAY?

Water CLEANSES

Water SYMBOLIZES the grave

V. WHY SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?

Christ commands it

"To fulfill all righteousness" = to be completely obedient to God

VI. WHAT IF I AM NOT BAPTIZED?

“Going straight to hell, burn in the hottest part”

What did Jesus say to the repentant thief on the cross?

You will not be totally obedient

You will have to answer for it.