Baptism - 7/20/08am

Hebrews 6:1-2 -Baptism is an elementary principle

While we must move on beyond elementary principles, it is good to occasionally remind ourselves of them, so that we can more easily recall the details so that we may better teach others. Baptism, being a point that is hotly contested in the world, is worthy of examination.

What is baptism?
What is baptism? It’s a word that is misunderstood by many. It is the transliterated Greek word baptizo. It means “to immerse” or “to dip.” It can also mean “to wash” based on it’s primary meaning: people would wash things by putting them in water.
Acts 8:38-39 -Down into the water
Matthew 3:16 -Came up out of the water
Mark 14:20 -“Dips” - embaptomeno (same root word)

It is to fulfill all righteousness
The Bible teaches us that baptism is necessary for righteousness’ sake. Christ was baptized for that very reason. Christ set us an example, so that we might understand the importance of it.
Matthew 3:15 -Christ baptized to fulfill all righteousness
I Peter 2:21 -Follow in Christ’s example

It grants forgiveness of sins
One of the primary purposes of baptism is so that a person might be forgiven of sins. Some people teach that baptism is for other purposes. Let us examine what the scriptures teach!
Acts 2:38 -Baptized for the forgiveness of sins
Matthew 26:28 -Christ’s blood is shed for the forgiveness of sins
Acts 10:43 -Belief is for the forgiveness of sins
Acts 22:16 -Washing away your sins

It is a commandment
It is something that is ordered. If we want to follow Christ, we must be obedient to His will and follow His commandments. Anything else, and we will be lacking.
Acts 22:16 -Not only washes away sins, but DO THIS
Acts 10:47-48 -Peter ordered the first gentile believers to be baptized
II John 6 -Love is walking in His commandments
I Corinthians 16:22 -Anyone who does not love the Lord…


It is a burial
While the burial concept also implies immersion, there is another point being made here. It is in baptism that we put away our old self: our selfish lusts and sins, and rise anew as a Christian. It is tied to the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord.
Romans 6:1-7 -Buried/united in His death, united in His resurrection
Colossians 2:12 -Having been buried with Him in baptism

It is necessary to put on Christ
We all want to put on Christ, yes? We all want Christ to live in us? Then we must be baptized.
Galatians 3:26-27 -Those who were baptized have put on Christ
Galatians 2:20 -Crucified with Christ, now Christ lives in me

It is how to be added to the church
If we want to be added to the Lord’s church, we must be baptized. The Lord’s body is made up of those who are saved: those who are baptized. You may attend a worship service with other people, but if you are not baptized, you are not a part of His church.
Acts 2:41 -Those being baptized were added by the Lord
Acts 2:47 -Those being saved were added by the Lord

It is necessary for salvation
Just as we saw that it washes away sins, adds you to the church, and fulfills all righteousness, the Bible plainly states that it is necessary for salvation.
Mark 16:16 -He that believes and is baptized will be saved
I Peter 3:21 -It now saves you