Baptism Service
Introduction
- What is baptism about?
- It asks questions of us
- It is a means of grace
- Baptism does not:
- Make someone a Christian
- Change someones heart - Example of Simon Magus
- It does strengthen the Christian
- Overview
- A straight forward command
- A symbol of our union with Christ
- A statement of commitment
A straight forward command
- Jesus gave His disciples the command - "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, 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." (Matt 28:19-20)
- Not optional
- It is an ordinance - baptism and the Lord's supper
- Baptism at the feast of Pentecost was a big thing
- It seemed like a renunciation of the Jewish faith
- People from non-Christian families can find things difficult
- Repent, believe and be baptised
- The Christians continued in biblical teaching, the Lord's supper, fellowship and prayer
- There were a lot of baptisms in the early church - examples
- The pattern is the same - first they believe and then they are baptised
- Example of Ethiopian Enuch
- Example of the Philippian Jailer (and his household)
A symbol of our union with Christ
- Water baptism is an outward sign of spiritual baptism
- When we are converted we come into union with Jesus Christ
- "In Christ"
- "In Him"
- Baptism signifies you died to sin and are raised to life
- Rom 6:3-4
- A transformation has taken place
- You are no longer a slave to sin
- You have been placed in a new Kingdom
- Burial is a final act - baptism signifies that we died to sin
- We are raised to newness of life - a new heart, a new life, we are new creations
- Baptism symbolises our union with Christ
- Conversion is a not a decision to become religious
- Conversion is a transformation
- All Christians have a personal testimony
- Personal example
A statement of commitment
- Dan is publicly stating he belongs to Jesus Christ
- Not to be taken lightly but an important step in our discipleship
- It is an important step in our being disciples
- We are to learn and obey the commandments
- We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed
- It is a pledge of our commitment to Christ
Closing Remarks
Followed by Personal Testimony of Dan Foxhall