Bible Baptism

January 25, 2018

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Matthew 28:18-20
(RA-2002, Program: 0418, Air date: 01.28.18)

1. INTRODUCTION
   1. In Matthew 28, the Lord Jesus Christ gave the church her marching orders, known as the Great Commission.
      1. Matthew 28:18-20
      2. Jesus tells us that all authority is given to Him.
      3. Jesus commands us to go and teach, or disciple, all nations.
      4. Jesus commands us to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
      5. Jesus tells us to teach them all things that He commanded us.
      6. Jesus assures us that He is with us to the end of the age.
   2. We are to lead people to Christ, baptize them and teach them to observe everything that Jesus commanded us.
   3. Jesus began His public ministry upon this Earth by being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
   4. Jesus concluded His public ministry on the Earth by commanding baptism.
   5. Jesus has all authority, and we need to understand and heed what He tells us about baptism.
2. THE BIBLICAL METHOD OF BAPTISM (Mark 1:9-10)
   1. The Biblical method of baptism is immersion.
   2. Mark 1:9-10
      1. The distance Jesus traveled to be baptized was approximately 60 miles one way.
      2. Jesus was not baptized near the Jordan River, not by the Jordan, but in the Jordan.
         1. This speaks of immersion.
      3. The dove in this passages symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
   3. John 3:23
      1. According to this passage, the reason John was baptizing in this particular spot was because there was much water there.
         1. John did not baptize in this location because it was convenient.
         2. Bible baptism is not necessarily easy.
         3. It takes a lot of water in order to baptize.
      2. The Greek word used in this passage for “baptized” literally means “immersed.”
         1. The Greek word “rantizo” means “to sprinkle” or “to pour.”
         2. The Greek word used in this passage, “baptizo,” means “to dip,” “to submerge,” “to immerse.”
   4. In the early years of the church, all Christians baptized by immersion.
3. THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF BAPTISM (Romans 6:4-7)
   1. The method and the meaning of baptism are inextricably interwoven.
   2. The Biblical meaning of baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   3. Baptism is an important picture of the Gospel.
      1. Romans 6:4-7
      2. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
      3. Satan would like to destroy this picture of the Gospel message; he would like to remove it from our churches.
      4. Baptism shows that we believe in the Gospel message of Jesus’ death for our sins, His burial and resurrection; and it shows that we identify ourselves with the Gospel.
         1. Romans 6:5
      5. Baptism also pictures our resurrection with Christ:
         1. Calvary – because we died with Him; we died to the old life.
         2. Easter – because we rose with Him; to walk in newness of life.
         3. The Second Coming – because one day, we will be raised from the grave to live with Him in a resurrected body.
   4. In Scripture, baptism always follows salvation (it never precedes salvation) because we are dying to the old way.
      1. Acts 2:41
         1. We must receive the Word before we are baptized.
      2. Acts 10:46-47
         1. It is necessary to be saved prior to baptism.
      3. Acts 16:31-33
         1. This passage is another proof that real baptism follows real salvation.
4. THE BIBLICAL MOTIVES OF BAPTISM (Matthew 28:19-20)
   1. There are three Biblical motives of baptism. Why be baptized?
      1. There is a Master to confess: the Lord Jesus Christ.
         1. Matthew 28:19
         2. Romans 6:6
         3. We are not ashamed of Jesus Christ, and we are thankful for what He did for us on that cross.
         4. We have a new master; His name is Jesus.
            1. We are identifying with Jesus Christ.
            2. We belong to Jesus.
      2. There is a message to convey: the Gospel.
         1. Every baptism preaches the Gospel.
         2. The very things that baptism pictures (the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord) are what bring conviction to the hearts of people.
      3. There is a mandate to complete: the Great Commission.
         1. Matthew 28:19-20
         2. We are to say, “Yes, Lord.”
         3. We must remember that Jesus Christ has all authority in Heaven and in Earth, and He has commanded us (not suggested) that we go and teach, making disciples and baptizing.
5. CONCLUSION
   1. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but it is necessary for obedience; and obedience is necessary for joy and fruitfulness in the Christian life.
      1. Matthew 25:29
   2. Do you know Jesus personally? If not, you can pray to Him today by asking Him to come into your life.
   3. Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
   4. Romans 10:9-10
   5. Romans 10:13

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