Rodney G. Burke Deaf Missions Council Bluffs, Iowa Series: Christian Baptism Sermon: 1 of 4 Date: April 6, 2008 Baptism Enters Hello. As I look back in my own life, I remember watching my own uncle preach. I noticed, time and again, he would baptize people. Because I didn t have an interpreter in the church while growing up, I did not understand why people were being baptized. I became curious about baptism. I want to share with you about baptism. Baptism is wonderful. I want to share Jesus words, starting with Matthew 28:19-20. Matthew 28:19-20 Imagine a person lost at sea. He is all alone and screaming for help. People on a ship nearby see him, approach him, and throw a lifesaver to him. He grabs the lifesaver. The people on the ship pull him safely onto the ship. Now, while this man is on the ship, he must obey everything the people on the ship require of him. It s the same in the verses in Matthew. Jesus said that you must be immersed. Then, Jesus said you must teach everything that He has commanded you to teach. Here s a question why is immersion not included in everything in this verse. Why are baptism and everything in the same verse? Everything you must teach is considered good works. Baptism is not included. I notice that this verse says, baptize in What is the Greek word for in? The Greek word is eis, which means to enter into a relationship. This gives us a clear picture that baptism leads us into a relationship. For example, when my daughter was born, she entered into a relationship with her mother and father. Her mother and father became her authority. Jesus was perfect and obeyed all of the laws in the Old Testament. While He grew up, He was perfect. Then, He was crucified on a cross and died. He rose from the dead and became alive again. In these verses, Jesus said that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him. That means under the new covenant, not the old covenant or Old Testament, Jesus included baptism by immersion as a condition or pre-requirement. 1
I want you to notice on the video presentation of Matthew 28:19-20 on The Bible: American Sign Language Translation that baptism and teaching others to obey everything are separate. Remember, in in the Greek language means to enter into a relationship. And, notice all authority is given to Jesus. Jesus requires baptism for the new covenant or agreement. Here s Matthew 28:16-20: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. That is interesting. Now, Jesus words are also recorded in Mark 16:15-16. Mark 16:15-16 Imagine yourself wanting to row a boat from one area to another. In order to cross, you must have two oars. Right? If you only row with one oar, you will go around in circles. You will not get across. This is the same idea as what Jesus was saying when he said that any person who believes and is baptized will be saved. You must have the two of them together just like you need two oars when you row a boat. It is clear that faith and baptism go together. Baptism is not included with good works. If you walk towards a light switch and flip the switch if you do both of those things, then the light will come on. Jesus said if you believe and are baptized if you do both these things, then you will be saved. It s like going to a doctor and informing him you have a health problem. The doctor begins to examine you and discovers what is wrong. He gives you a prescription in order to get medicine from a drugstore. This paper gives you directions and tells you what to do, such as taking medicine in the morning and at night. Then, you will get better. You trust the doctor by going to the drugstore, giving the prescription to the pharmacist, and getting medicine. You trust the doctor by following his orders. It s the same idea with Jesus command for baptism that saves you. You can trust His promise. Now, you will notice three things in these verses faith and baptism are together, faith and immersion are prerequisites for salvation, and Jesus promised that baptism by immersion saves. Now, here s Mark 16:9-20: 2
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Interesting John 3:3, 5 Now, there is a third set of verses that Jesus shared, which are recorded in John 3:3 and 5. Jesus said, one born of water and the Spirit. Now, my question is what does born of water mean? Does that mean physical birth? No, it doesn t mean physical birth. Let me explain If Jesus had required physical birth in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, how would a person learn about Jesus at physical birth? It s impossible. Therefore, born of the water does not mean a physical birth. There are four reasons we know that being born of water is different than physical birth. Born of water means immersion under water. Why? First of all, you know John the Baptist? He was popular for baptizing people. Second, Jesus approached John and John baptized Him. Third, John 4:1, 2 says that Jesus disciples baptized more people than John. That s amazing and interesting. Fourth, John the Baptist proclaimed that the kingdom of God was coming soon. With all these facts, we know that born of the water talks about water baptism. Jesus said, in John 3:3, 5, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born 3
again. No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Jesus also said in John 10:9, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved You may have noticed born again being signed. Was that signed correctly? I studied the Greek word for this phrase. The Greek word is anothen. This word means three things from the top, from that beginning, and from above. Then, I studied some more and wanted to understand the word again. I realized this word is used in verse 4 with Nicodemus. When Nicodemus heard the word anothen he thought it meant he must go back to his own physical birth from his mother. That led him to use the word again when saying born again to Jesus in response. But, the Greek word anothen means from above. There is another Greek word palyn which means again. Jesus did not use the word palyn. Jesus was literally thinking born from above. That makes sense because the Spirit gives you life. The Spirit begins life. Born of water and the Spirit comes from above. Interesting Have you ever seen a bird descend upon its baby and feed it? When you are baptized, a bird or the Spirit from above descends upon you and feeds you. I also notice of water and Spirit. You will notice that of is used once, not twice. It doesn t say of water and of Spirit. It is used once. How does light come about? It comes of electrical wires and electric companies. It is all connected as one concept. Now, we will watch John 3:3-5. You will notice four things born of water and Spirit means water immersion, baptism grants us access to God s kingdom, the word again was said by Nicodemus not Jesus, and of is used to refer to both water and Spirit together. Now, here are the verses: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him. In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother s womb to be born! Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. 4
This is very important teaching from Jesus about baptism. God loves you. Let s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Jesus. We have learned from three different Bible passages about baptism as taught by Jesus. Please help us understand that You love us and want us to enter into Your kingdom forever and ever. Thank You. In Jesus name we pray. God bless you. 2008 Deaf Missions This printed manuscript is the English translation of a sermon presented in American Sign Language. The sermon may be viewed at www.linkasl.com. LINK is a ministry of Deaf Missions. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permissions of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society. Deaf Missions, 21199 Greenview Road, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 www.deafmissions.com 5