Why baptism? (Baptism Service)
Introduction
- Welcome
- 'Do you want to be made well?'
- This might seem a silly question
- When the man obeyed Jesus' word he was made well
- Example of stripping wallpaper to decorate - more work done in the preparation
- It is sometimes like this when you become a Christian
- Are you really interested in the thing of God?
- Why Baptism?
- Is does not wash away sin - it is purely symbolic
- Look at the Baptism of Jesus
- The person of John the Baptist
- People were drawn to him and his plain message
- Sin abounded in society - e.g. greed, corruption
- There needs to be a change in your life
- He spoke to all sections of society
- He called people to repent and have faith in God
Why Baptism?
- Jesus comes to be baptised by John - why?
- Jesus knew no sin
- John recognised that Jesus was greater than he
Jesus was identifying with sinners - He was to fulfill all righteousness
- Do you know that Jesus if the friend of sinners?
- Example of John Goldstein and a Mormon man
- These both found Jesus Christ for themselves, as Lord
- Baptism is a symbol of death, burial and resurrection
His baptism was prophetic
- Christianity is not about being good
- Christianity is first a recognition that we cannot be good - it is about a Holy God who sent a Saviour into the world to save sinners
- Christianity is about believing in God and having everlasting life
A picture of cleansing a new life
- The water symbolises cleansing and the giving of new life
- Example of Nicodemus - you must be born of the water and the spirit
- Jesus was speaking of the washing of the word of God
- Example of the adulterous woman - living water springing up to everlasting life
An act of humble obedience
- He humbled Himself under God the Father
- An act of obedience
- Josh is being obedient to baptism
- Have you humbled yourself
- Josh will be strengthened through this
- It is a means of grace (baptism and communion)
Closing Remarks
- When Jesus was baptised the very Spirit of God alighted on Him
- A glorious baptism like no other
- God was well pleased with Jesus' baptism
- Our prayer is that all who are baptised they continue in the faith trusting in Jesus
- For those not yet believers - trust in God