God's Church: Baptism- Does It Really Matter?
Baptism- Does it really matter?
Of course it does!
Here's Why
1 | Christ was baptized…
But Jesus said, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. " So John agreed to baptize Him (Matt.3:16).
Though the meaning of His baptism was entirely different from the significance of Christian baptism, nevertheless there exists a sense in which we follow the Lord when we are baptized. To be sure, we can never fully imitate a sinless Person; yet we are to follow His steps, and baptism was one of them…
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. (22) He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone(1 Peter 2:21).
2 | 'The Lord approved of His disciples baptizing…
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that He was baptizing and making more disciples than John (2) (though Jesus Himself didn't baptize them—His disciples did) (John 4:1-2).
3| Christ commanded that people be baptized in this age…
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit(Matt. 28:19).
Clearly this command was not only for the apostles who heard it but for His followers throughout the entire age, since He promised His presence to the end of the age.
4 | 'The early church gave an important place to baptism...
(Acts 2:38. 41:8:12-13. 36. 38: 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15. 33; 18:8; 19:5).
The early church never conceived of a believer remaining unbaptized.
5 | The New Testament uses the ordinance to picture or symbolize important theological truths…
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? (2) Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? (3) Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death? (4) For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. (5) Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was. (6) We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. (7) For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. (8) And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him. (9) We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him. (10) When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God.
Baptism is no more optional or less significant than the doctrines of repentance, resurrection, and judgment.
So get in the water. If anyone has not been and desires to be baptized, please let me know!
Love to all,
Pastor Mike
(602) 510-5563
P.S. Next week we will go over the meaning of baptism!