Introduction- The first step of Christian obedience is baptism. There are many other things you will want to do for the Lord, but this is the first. Although baptism is not essential to your salvation, it is essential to your joy and maturity.
I. WHAT IS BAPTISM?- Baptism is a symbol or a picture. First, it is a picture. of death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Next, it is a picture of what happens in the life of one who is saved; we die to the old life and are raised to a new life in Christ. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience. It is the Biblical way o publicly declaring your faith in Christ. Scriptures: Romans 6:4 “We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. & Colossians 2:12”Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
II. WHY BE BAPTIZED?-First, because Jesus has commanded us to be baptized. If that was the only reason, that is enough! Baptism is an expression of our love and act of obedience. Next: because Jesus has commanded us to identify ourselves with Him publicly. Baptism is like preaching a sermon that says, “I have turned from my sin and trusted Jesus as my Savior.” Scriptures: Matthew 28:19 “ 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Matthew10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”
III. WILL BAPTISM SAVE ME? – No. Baptism is a symbolic act that has no saving power. We are saved when we turn from sin and trust Christ alone. We are not baptized to become a child of God, but because we already are a child of. God. Our sins are not washed away by water, but by the blood of Jesus. Scriptures: Luke 23:39-43 “39Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40But the other, answering, rebuke him saying, Do you not fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due rewards of our deeds: but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” and Hebrews 9:22 “22 according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of the blood there is no remission.”
