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Baptism: a Self Study
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Baptism: An outward sign of an inward condition.
In our small town of 900 people soft serve ice cream was not to be
found. One day the local “Quick stop” store posted a sign with a
welcomed message: “We now have soft serve ice cream.” Imagine my
family walking with delight and expectation down the hill from our
house after Church on Sunday evening. The goal, soft serve ice
cream cones. The sign said “soft serve ice cream” and we expected
to have soft serve ice cream. However, one thing was needed to
make it all work out right…the genuine presence of ice cream
inside the store and not just on the sign.
Advertisements on the outside are useless without the real thing
on the inside.
Baptism is like that. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward
condition. No need to make an advertisement if the real thing is
not on the inside. Baptism does not mean anything unless inside
you really believe on Jesus. It is a sign that says to those who
see or hear about it “This person is a Christian.”
Many people are confused about baptism and what it does. It does
not make a person a Christian! It simply proclaims this person is
already a Christian and it pictures a wonderful truth about
Christians.
But, don’t take my word for it; let’s study the authoritative Word
from God, the Bible, to find out what He says about baptism. Then
we can know for sure! We don’t need to be confused.
Read each passage thoughtfully and carefully then summarize in
your own words what God is saying to you concerning baptism. (His
Word is His revelation to us-It is the way he speaks to us.)
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward condition.
Luke 3:3
John’s baptism was a sign showing inward REPENTANCE toward God.
Luke 3:7-17
John’s heated answer to the crowds shows us baptism represents a
genuine inward repentance that affects our outward behavior. He
knew there was no use in baptizing someone who had not really
REPENTED on the inside.
Baptism is something God says to do.
Matthew 28: 18-20
Jesus commands baptism as part of making disciples of Christ. It
seems that baptism is so closely linked to BELIEVEING ON Christ
that it is almost viewed synonymously with trusting Christ. Jesus
saw it as important, possibly to test humility, obedience, and
sincerity.
Baptism shows others that a person has already believed on Jesus.
Acts 2:38-41
When people were baptized on the day of Pentecost, their baptism
outwardly showed they had REPENTANCE and FAITH toward Christ
inside.
Acts 8:26-38
The Eunuch was baptized as a result of studying prophecy
concerning Christ’s willing sacrifice for sin. His baptism showed
he BELIEVED on Christ in his heart.
Acts 10:43-44, 11:17
Peter commanded these Gentiles to be baptized in the name of the
Lord to hang a sign outwardly that they ACCEPTED Christ inwardly.
Acts 16:14-15
Lydia was baptized showing she inwardly RECIEVED the message of
Christ preached by Paul.
Acts 16:30-34
The Philippian jailor was baptized showing he BELIEVED IN Christ
for salvation. This baptism didn’t make him believe it show he
believed (see verse 34)
Acts 18:5-8
The Corinthians heard, believed, and were then baptized showing
they BELIEVED in their hearts first and then were baptized.
Acts 19:1-7
These disciples submitted to baptism by John showing repentance in
their hearts. Now they were baptized again to show they had FAITH
in Christ in their hearts
Baptism is different than believing on Jesus.
I Corinthians 1:11-17
Although baptism is important, Paul’s answer to the Church at
Corinth shows us the gospel message is FAITH in Christ, because of
the cross of Christ, and not baptism.
Luke 23:39-43
Jesus told the thief on the cross he would be with him in Paradise
simply because he TRUSTED CHRIST, since we know he was not
baptized on the cross.
Water Baptism pictures what happened to us when we first believed
on Jesus.
Romans 6:3-5
God has already said that a person is saved by grace through faith
alone (Romans 3:28; 5:1). Now, He teaches us what happened when we
trusted Christ. He shows how baptism by the Holy Spirit connected
and identified us with Christ. We are connected or identified with
Christ in His DEATH AND BURIAL showing that our old self has died.
We are connected with Christ in His RESURECTION showing that we
have been raised up to a new life. Baptism in water illustrates
this transformation.
Water Baptism does not save us.
I Peter 3:18-22
There are many things in this text that are not clear but
regardless of what we do not see clearly we know that it is not an
outward ritual that saves a person but instead it is an INWARD
CLEANSING that saves a person (see especially verse 21).
Luke 11:37-44
Jesus is clearly rebuking the Pharisees. This is one of His most
heated rebukes and it centers on OUTWARD action without an INWARD
condition.
Conclusion
Baptism means nothing without genuine faith in Christ.
However, faith in Christ shown by baptism means much. It means
that you have humbled yourself and obediently allowed yourself to
be dipped under the water to show others that you publicly declare
your faith is in Christ and identify yourself as one of His
disciples. It shows you understand that you have been crucified
with Christ and are, because of faith in Him, raised to newness of
life.
If you have not truly trusted Christ or are not sure if your faith
is in Christ then don’t be quick to hang the sign. But, if you
know you are trusting Christ, if you know your faith is in Him, if
you know you have believed in Him, then by all means HANG THE SIGN
as soon as you can.
Baptism is the outward sign of an inward condition. What a joy to
have Christ in your heart. What a privilege to make it public!
Matthew 28:18-20
Thought Journal
1. Write down any questions you still have concerning baptism.
2. Why do you suppose God teaches us to be baptized if it is faith
that saves us?
3. Reflect on the importance of both the inward reality and the
outward expression of salvation in baptism. Write down some of
your thoughts.
Pastor Bruce Seivers
December, 2000Download this article in
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