Speaking of Baptism

Baptism rightly should be one of our favorite topics as Baptist. As Pastor A.J. pointed out in our recent church conference, Baptism is the believer’s profession of faith as shown in the Scriptures. I thought it would be helpful to share from a class I used to teach on Baptism. This can be especially helpful to the young and those from other faith backgrounds who want to know why we believe as we do about baptism. Feel free to share this with others.
 
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
1. To follow the example set by ­­­­­­­­­­­Christ. Don’t you want to be like Jesus?
Matthew 3:13  Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14  But John tried to stop Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?" 15  Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him to be baptized. (HCSB).
 
2. Because Christ ­commands it.
Matthew 28:19  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (HCSB).
 
3. It shows that I really am a Christian/believer/follower of Christ.
Acts 8:12  But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (HCSB).
 
II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
1. It tells others that Christ was buried and was resurrected for me.
1 Corinthians 15:3  For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4  that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (HCSB).
 
Colossians 2:12  Having been buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (HCSB).
 
2. It shows others my new life as a Christian.
2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. (HCSB).
 
Romans 6:4  Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. (HCSB).
 
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 make in your heart.
 
Ephesians. 2:8  For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—9  not from works, so that no one can boast. (HCSB).
 
More to come in the future.
 
Pastor Pat