CHANGED: THE VALUE OF BEING BAPTIZED

 Text: Acts 2:38-39 NCV - 38 Peter said to them, "Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself."

WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

            1.) To follow the example set by Jesus Christ.

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.”  Mark 1:9

2.) Because Christ commands it.

“Jesus said, “Go then, to all people everywhere and make them My disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  Matthew 28: 19-20

3.) It demonstrates that I really am a believer.

“…many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized.”  Acts 18:8

“We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.”  1 John 2:3

 

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

            1.) It illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection.

“Christ died for our sins…He was buried…and He rose again.”  1 Corinthians 15:3-4

“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.”  Colossians 2:12

2.) It illustrates my new life as a Christian.

“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life begun!”  2 Corinthians 5:17

“By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead…so also we may live a new life!” Romans 6:4

Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that.  Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2: 8-9

WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

1.) Because Jesus was baptized that way.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.”  Matthew 3:16

2.) Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

(Example)… “then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…”  Acts 8: 38-39

The word Baptize means “To dip under water”. 

The Greek work Baptizo means “To immerse or dip under water”.

The founders of these denominations agree:

Martin Luther… “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.”

John Calvin… “The word “baptize” signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.”

John Wesley… “Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion according to the custom of the first church.”

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

            1.) Every person who has believed in Christ.

“Those who believed and accepted His message were baptized…”  Acts 2:41

“Simon himself believed and was baptized…”  Acts 8:13

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News…and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”  Acts 8:12

If I was baptized as a baby, do I need to be baptized again?

Infant baptism is an awesome choice that mom and dad made to dedicate us to God! And while we're grateful for what our parents did, the Bible teaches us that water baptism follows our
own grown-up and personal choice to put our faith in Jesus Christ. Being baptized as an adult doesn't dismiss or negate our parents' decision, but rather points to the fulfillment of what they had prayed for and planned for us many years prior. Being baptized is a way to honor God and our families!

         •Example – My Dad (Talk about REBAPTISMS Also)

WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

As soon as you have believed!

 “Those who believed…were baptized…that day!”  Acts 2:41

“Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, “Look, here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may!”  The man answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.! So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”   Acts 8: 35-38

There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized! If you wait until you are “perfect”, you’ll never feel “good enough”.

Decide To demonstrate my changed life.

(1 Peter 3:21 TLB) In baptism we show that we have been saved from death and doom by the resurrection of Christ; not because our bodies are washed clean by the water but because in being baptized we are turning to God and asking him to cleanse our hearts from sin.

Your words will tell others what you think. Your actions will tell them what you believe.”

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