The Why And What Of Baptism

Temple Baptist Church - 7 December 2008

Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:18-22

Intro:

A. There were 2 ordinances given to the local church:

1. The Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 11:23-34
2. Baptism – Matthew 28:18-20

B. Both have been perverted:

1. They have been perverted in their meanings.

a. A method of dispensing grace.
b. Necessary for salvation.

1) Transubstantiation practiced by Roman Catholicism
2) Co-substantiation practiced by some Protestants

2. They have been perverted in their methods.

a. The Lord’s Supper – Real Wine instead of Fruit of the Vine
b. Baptism – Sprinkling, pouring, pedo-baptism

C. 1 Peter gives the true meaning of baptism in verse 20-21.

D. Baptism is a transliterated word - baptizo

1. to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging
3. to overwhelm

E. The Commandment of Baptism – Obedience Is Required

1. Baptism Is Not Optional

Matthew 3:13-17 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2. Baptism Is Conditional

a) Must be saved

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

b) Bearing fruit would be good. I leave that up to God though.

Matthew 3:6-8 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

F. The Meaning of Baptism

1. Baptism is Obedience, not Salvation

a) Noah Was Saved Spiritually By Grace – Genesis 6:8
b) Noah Was Saved Physically through His Obedience – 1 Peter 3:20-21

2. Baptism is Identification, not Qualification

a) We are identified with His death, burial and resurrection
b) We are identified with His body, the Church
c) We are identified with His people
d) We are identified with His reproach

G. The Analogy of Baptism

1 Peter 3:20-21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

A. Baptism is a Confession of Who He is - Lord

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

B. Baptism is An Identification of What Took Place

1. Baptism Identifies Us With A Past That Is Forgiven

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

2. Baptism Identifies Us With A Heart That Is Changed

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire

Mr 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 6:4-6 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

3. Baptism Identifies Us With A Future That Is Secure

a. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

b. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

4. Baptist Identifies Us With A Rejected Saviour (reproach)

a. Matthew 20:22-23 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

5. Baptism Identifies Us With The Church Of The Living God

a. Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

b. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

6. Baptism Identifies Us With Christ’s Death

a. Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

1. Dead to self - James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

2. Dead to sin - Romans 6:2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

b. Dead to the world - Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

7. Baptist Identifies Us With Christ’s Life

a. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

b. Romans 6:4 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.

c. Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.