Sunday Morning Sermon

Preached by John Gaines at Leonard Street Church of Christ

June 22, 2003

1. The practice of a rite called "baptism" is widespread through many religious groups. Our interest today is not in the general practice of baptism. Our focus is more narrow . . . we are interested in what Bible baptism requires.

2. The Bible is the inspired word of God. It thoroughly furnishes, or completely equips, us for every good work [2 Timothy 3:16-17]. In the pages of the Bible, God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness [2 Peter 1:3]. We are responsible for developing the skills to rightly divide the word of truth [2 Timothy 2:15]. So we don't go to the dictionary to learn about Bible baptism. We don't go to a handbook of denominational practices to learn about Bible baptism. We go to the Bible and let it teach us what is necessary in baptism.

I. BIBLE BAPTISM REQUIRES WATER.

A. Mark 1:9-11 (NKJV) It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

1. John baptized in the Jordan River. John 3:23 says John baptized at Aenon near Salim because there was "much water there." Jesus made the effort to travel to where John was so He could be baptized. Although John baptized for the remission of sins [Mark 1:4], Jesus did not need to be baptized to have sins forgiven since He was sinless [2 Corinthians 5:21]. However, Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness [Matthew 3:15]. Jesus is the Perfect Example for us. We do have sins which need to be washed away [Acts 22:16]. We need to be baptized and Jesus showed us the way to obedience.

2. Jesus' baptism took place in water. After the baptism, they came up from the water [Mark 1:10]. Hollywood has pictured the baptismal scene with John and Jesus walking into the middle of the river, then having John scoop up a handful of water and pour it on Jesus' head. If a handful of water sprinkled on a person is sufficient for baptism, then many questions are raised.

a. Why walk into the water? Why didn't John simply bring a few drops of water from the riverside and sprinkle them over Jesus' head?

b. Why go to the Jordan River at all? If only a little water was needed, there were many brooks, streams, and wells which would have been sources for water. Yet John baptized at Aenon because "there was much water there."

3. The Greek word used for baptize is baptizo -- which means "immerse." Early English translators passed the buck on the controversy about the mode of baptism. They should have translated the word as "immerse" or "dip" but they simply transliterated the Greek word and coined a new English word "baptize." Most modern translators followed the same practice.

4. The New Testament reinforces the teaching that baptism is going under water and then coming up out of water when it says that baptism is burial [Romans 6:3-4 (NKJV) Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.]

B. Look also at Acts 10:47 (NKJV) "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

1. People often try to argue against water baptism by claiming that baptism today is spiritual rather than a literal action which takes place in water.

2. One denominational church website has an article containing the following statement: "Spiritual baptism is the immersing of a person into Christ, not water. Water baptism will change your appearance. Spiritual baptism will change your nature."

3. Cornelius had already received the Holy Spirit but he needed to be baptized in water [Acts 10:47]. Water baptism puts one into Christ [Galatians 3:27 (NKJV) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.] How do I know that is talking about water baptism? Let the context of Scripture teach us about the nature of baptism. John baptized in water. Jesus was baptized in the water of the Jordan River. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him [Acts 8:38-39]. Peter made it clear that Cornelius must be baptized in water [Acts 10:47].

4. The apostles were promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit [Acts 1:5] and that promise was fulfilled on Pentecost [Acts 2:1-4]. We are not taught in the Bible to expect any kind of spiritual or Holy Spirit baptism. The baptism taught in the New Testament which will continue until the end of the age is baptism in water to wash away our sins!

II. BIBLE BAPTISM REQUIRES FAITH.

A. Our salvation does not come by means of rites or rituals. Anyone who thinks his salvation comes simply because of being dunked in water separate and apart from obedient, submissive faith in Christ is trusting in his own works for salvation [Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

B. It is necessary to believe before one is ready to be baptized [Mark 16:16 (NKJV) "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.] It is possible that a person who does not believe in Christ might be baptized. Would the act of baptism save an unbeliever? No -- without faith, it is impossible to please God [Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

C. This raises the question of who is old enough to be baptized.

1. We often speak of the "age of accountability" although it not a Bible term.

2. It is not a Bible idea that everyone reaches the stage of accountability at the same chronological age. Some young men and women might have the maturity to be held responsible for their actions by age 8 or 9; for others it might be 12 or 13. There is no one age that is the right age for baptism.

3. It is necessary to have an informed faith which causes one to understand and believe some basic truths.

a. I am a sinner. Have an adequate understanding of what it means to be a sinner. Sin is "missing the mark" -- not hitting the target God has set for me for the way I should live my life. Sin is stepping across the line -- transgressing the will of God [1 John 3:4 (KJV) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.]

b. I am lost. Understand that the result of sin is eternal separation from God [Isaiah 59:1-2 (NKJV) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.]

c. I need to be saved. Salvation is in Christ [2 Timothy 2:10]. Understand that as long as I stay outside of Christ, I am lost.

d. The Bible tells me what to do to be saved. Faith in Christ is necessary. So is repentance [Acts 17:30]. Baptism is the act that takes me out of the world and puts me in Christ. The only way to get into Christ is to be baptized into Christ [Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27].

e. The Lord adds the saved to His church [Acts 2:47]. A saved person must be a faithful Christian or else that salvation will be lost.

III. BIBLE BAPTISM REQUIRES REPENTANCE.

A. Repentance is the time of turning as a person is converted to Christ. [Luke 13:3 (KJV) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.] Repentance is necessary before a person is ready to be baptized [Acts 2:38].

B. The Christian life is an ongoing battle against sin. We haven't yet arrived at our final destination [Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.] Paul faced the possibility that he might become disqualified from this Christian race [1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.] Repentance is necessary when Christians fall into sin [Acts 8:22 (NKJV) "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.]

C. No one should ever think that baptism is all that's required to insure one's place in heaven.

1. We see people be baptized then quickly fall back into sin.

a. Jesus taught that such would happen when He told the story of the seed sown on different kinds of ground. Seed sown on stony places resulted in plants which immediately sprang up, but which quickly withered. [Matthew 13:5].

b. We should never be satisfied when any of our new converts fall back into the world.

2. While we can't judge anyone's heart, we do have to recognize the possibility that we sometimes baptize people who have not repented. People must be taught that baptism is much more than an initiation ceremony which lets people join the church. Taken together, faith, repentance, and baptism are a life-changing transformation which alters our thinking and our behavior in every way imaginable.

CONCLUSION

1. Every person should be concerned about the requirements of Bible baptism.

a. Some have experienced a religious ordinance or rite called baptism. That baptism should be examined in light of whether or not it conforms to what the Bible teaches about baptism [1 John 4:1 (NKJV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.] "False prophets" have taught a lot of error regarding baptism. You need to study the word of truth to know God's requirements for baptism. If you have not met those requirements, you have not been baptized biblically.

b. We may have young people who have begun to question whether or not they are old enough to be baptized. While this is a personal question with no "pat" answers which fit every situation, one key element in being accountable is being aware of your sinfulness. When you become conscious of the fact that you have sinned against God and need forgiveness, you should then consider whether you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to give your life to Christ. If you can say, "Yes, I have sins. Yes, I need forgiveness. Yes, I'm ready to serve Christ all my life," then you are ready to be baptized.

2. Invitation

1http://www.cornerstonebc.com/Sermons/spiritb1.htm