BAPTISM Day One WHAT IS BAPTISM? The application of water as a rite of purification or initiation; a Christian sacrament The word in Greek is baptismos and the verb form is baptizo which can be translated as to dip, immerse The New Unger s Bible Dictionary. Edited by R.K. Harrision. Page 142 Baptism does not save us. We are only saved by grace as we repent of our sins and receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. If we don t first repent but proceed to being baptized we have not accomplished anything other than getting wet. 1. We must first repent before we are baptized. Acts 2:38 Even though baptism does not save us it is very important. When we get saved and turn our lives over to God we should be baptized. Baptism is an extremely crucial step in our journey with God. 2. We are commanded to be baptized. Matthew 28:19 Mark 16:16 When we are baptized, we are making a public statement that we have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are making a public proclamation that we have been saved by God. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change.
3. When we are being baptized we are making a statement. Matthew 10:32 When we are baptized, we are also connecting with the Family of God. We are joining the multitude who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 4. There is one body of believers. 1 Corinthians 12:13 When we are baptized, we are also making a statement that there is One Church. The Church is not a building made of bricks or mortar. The Church is not a geographical location that can be found on a map. The Church is the believers of God. 5. Baptism pronounces that we are one as the Church. Ephesians 4:5 If you have been baptized take time to reflect upon your experience. If you are saved and have not been baptized then you are strongly encouraged to take that next step in drawing closer to the Lord. What key point are you taking from this lesson? How are you going to apply that to your life?
Write out the first six books of the Bible three times Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua Write out the Memory verse three times. Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, As you pray, begin with at least one statement that acknowledges how big God is and one statement on something you are thankful for today.
BAPTISM Day Two WHAT DOES BAPTISM REPRESENT? Baptism is a symbolic visualizing of what has happened in our lives. When we are baptized, we can clearly see in a tangible external way what has happened to our souls. 1. Baptism is symbolic of the cleansing of our sin. Acts 22:16 Baptism also allows us to identify with Christ. Just as He died and went into the grave for three days, we go down into a watery grave and then are raised again. Baptism represents that we are dying to self and being resurrected in Christ Jesus. 2. We are buried but don t stay buried. Colossians 2:12 When we are baptized we are making a public proclamation and a promise to God. Just as we say the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, baptism is a public pledge that we belong to God. 3. Baptism is a pledge to Jesus. 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism also represents that we are making a commitment to God. In order to truly live for God we need a supernatural strength. That strength cannot be mustered utilizing our own might or power. We find that strength in Jesus.
4. Baptism is the acknowledgement we belong to Jesus. Galatians 3:27 Baptism symbolizes powerful insights to knowing more of the Lord. Baptism is not just getting wet, it is entering into a deeper communion with God. What key point are you taking from this lesson? How are you going to apply that to your life? Write out the first six books of the Bible three times
Write out the Memory verse three times. Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the and of the Holy Spirit,
As you pray, begin with at least one statement that acknowledges how big God is and one statement on something you are thankful for today.
BAPTISM Day Three EXAMPLES OF BAPTISM IN SCRIPTURE Baptism was not theoretical or something we should get around to doing if we have time. The faithful in scripture modeled baptism for us. Throughout the pages of the Bible, we see examples of those who were baptized and those who baptized. 1. John the Baptist impacted the world. John 1:24-28 2. Jesus was baptized and did so to be an example for us. Matthew 3:13-15 Luke 3:21 3. The disciples of Jesus baptized believers. John 3:22 John 4:2
4. Philip baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch. Acts 8:38 5. The Apostle Paul was baptized after he surrendered his life to the Lord on the road to Damascus. Acts 9:18 6. Then Paul began baptizing believers. Acts 18:7,8 1 Corinthians 1:13 It is humbling and exciting when we think of those who have been baptized before us and those who have baptized others. What key point are you taking from this lesson? How are you going to apply that to your life?
Write out the first six books of the Bible four times
Write out the Memory verse four times. Matthew 28:19 - Therefore and make of all nations, them in the name of the Father and of the and of the Holy,
As you pray, begin with at least one statement that acknowledges how big God is and one statement on something you are thankful for today.
BAPTISM Day Four HOW AND WHEN SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED? There are those who believe that infants should be baptized. They believe so because there are scriptural passages where the entire household was baptized when the head of the family received the Lord. Even though the infant has not made a profession of faith, the tradition is to baptize them into the community of faith. 1. Verses of those who believe practice infant baptism. Acts 16:15 1 Corinthians 1:16 We believe that only believers should be baptized. We believe that a person should repent and then be baptized. Recall Acts 2:38. 2. There are three major different types of methods of baptism. They are; affusion, aspersion, and immersion. Affusion is a word that comes to us from a Latin root meaning to pour on. Affusion is where the water is poured over the head of the individual. Many who practice infant baptism use this method. 1 Samuel 10:1 The word aspersion comes to us from the Latin root, to sprinkle. Aspersion is where water will be sprinkled on to a person from the hand of the person baptizing the individual or from a container. This is also a familiar practice of those who baptize infants. Ezekiel 36:25
We believe that we people should be baptized by immersion. Immersion is where we are completely taken down into the water and brought back up. There are different practices concerning immersion. The Church of the Brethren immerses people face first three times for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We practice immersion because there is the most scriptural support for it. Matthew 3:16 Mark 1:5 A question can be raised. When should someone be baptized? 3. In scripture, people were baptized immediately after they gave their lives to the Lord. Acts 8:36 Acts 16:33 We believe a person should be baptized soon after they have been saved. Another question that can be raised is what if someone receives the Lord but then dies before they are baptized? 4. We believe that when one truly repents they will spend eternity with the Lord. It is preferable that they are baptized but if they are not, they will not be excluded. Luke 23:43
What key point are you taking from this lesson? How are you going to apply that to your life? Write out the first six books of the Bible five times
Write out the Memory verse five times. Matthew 28:19 - Therefore and make of all, them in the of the and of the and of the Holy, As you pray, begin with at least one statement that acknowledges how big God is and one statement on something you are thankful for today.
BAPTISM Day Five WHAT SHOULD WE DO AFTER WE ARE BAPTIZED? After we have been baptized we can then begin the process of drawing closer to God and knowing Him more. Many times people feel that once they have been baptized they have arrived at being as close to God as they can. However, baptism is the public statement of the change that has taken place inside of our hearts. That change is a continual process growing closer and closer to God every day that we are alive. 1. After we have been baptized, we must never forget how God incredibly loves us. 1 John 3:1 As we receive that love we also want to learn more and more about God. The more that we learn about God the more we realize we have to learn. Our God is so big that we are going to spend eternity awed by Him. 2. After we have been baptized, we should want to learn more and more about God. Matthew 5:6 As we learn more about God and how God lives in us we should realize that we are not the same people. We are a people who belong to God. We are a people who are citizens of the Kingdom of God. 3. We are to be separate from the world. 1 Peter 2:9 Since baptism is the outward expression of an inward change, we are to live differently. We are not to live like those in the world.
4. People should be able to see a difference in our lives. Ephesians 5:8 When we were baptized it was not just our physical bodies that were baptized. All that we are, emotionally and spiritually was baptized as well. 5. Our attitudes should be different. Philippians 2:5 6. We are to think differently. Romans 12:2 Philippians 4:8 As our attitudes and thought process changes so should our behavior. A Christian lifestyle and values are different than the lifestyle and values of the world. 7. We are to act differently. Matthew 5:13,14 Since we are now different we may also have to have different friends or keep different company. We must be careful who we spend time with because they make a greater impact upon us than we realize.
8. After we have been baptized, we may not be able to spend time with some people. Psalm 1:1 Sadly, there have been those who were baptized and just simply returned to status quo and there was not a difference. Baptism is special and it is a public statement that we are different. What key point are you taking from this lesson? How are you going to apply that to your life? Write out the first six books of the Bible seven times
Write out the Memory verse seven times. Matthew 28:19 - Therefore and of all, them in the of the and of the and of the,
As you pray, begin with at least one statement that acknowledges how big God is and one statement on something you are thankful for today.