The S.O.S. Lesson Materials
 Water Baptism

INTRODUCTION: We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands(1JO 2:3). Water baptism will be your first act of obedience

WHY BE BAPTIZED IN WATER?

  1. BECAUSE JESUS COMMANDED IT.
    See MAR 16:16, MAT 28:19. Baptism is a test of obedience and a fruit of repentance. Jesus commanded it to be done. The Apostles also taught it to be done (ACT 10:48). Do we want to obey the Lord? Obedience is one proof of our repentance! ACT 26:20 I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

  2. BECAUSE JESUS HIMSELF WAS BAPTIZED. MAT 3.13-17
    When Jesus came to John to be baptized, at first John tried to deter him. After all, Jesus had no sin, therefore did not need to repent or to be baptized. But in his baptism Jesus gave us an example to follow, and showed his concern for our need. The Holy Spirit came down upon him at his baptism. He said, MAT 3:15 "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Baptism is part of fulfilling righteousness.

  3. BECAUSE IT IS A NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN & PRACTICE.
    The early church practiced baptism where there was repentance and faith. Our key text in ACT 2.38-41, states that 3,000 were baptized on the Day of Pentecost. Why? Because Peter had said, `repent and be baptized'. See also Acts 10; 47-48, 9.18.

  4. BECAUSE IT IS USED AS TEACHING DEVICE OF OUR UNION WITH CHRIST. God has placed spiritual significance on the Water Baptism experience to teach us of the real union that exist between Jesus and us. ROM 6:3-5 GAL 3:26-27 We are one with Him in Death, Burial and Resurrection, making it possible to discard the old life and live the new life.

THE MANNER OF BAPTISM
  1. IN JESUS NAME, meaning, by the authority of Jesus and as commanded by Jesus.
  2. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - MAT 28:19. This is the Baptismal Formula, as commanded by Jesus. This is the seal of authority by which baptism is being performed.
  3. BY IMMERSION, for this is the meaning of the Greek Word “BAPTIZO". The passage concerning Philip and the eunuch in Acts 8 is very clear - baptism should be by fully covering a person with water. To baptize means 'to put under water'. The usual method of baptism in the New Testament was in the river, as with John the Baptist, or in some other public place.
  4. FOR CONSENTING ADULTS ONLY. Scriptures teaches that only those who can do the essential requirements of repentance and believing can receive the benefits of being baptized in water. Baptism must follow repentance and faith in Christ. Infants cannot meet these requirements, therefore they are not qualified. Baptism cannot be effective and meaningful for them. John did not baptize Jesus until He was about 30 years old. He was however dedicated to the Lord as an infant, LUK 2:22-23.
  5. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. In NT church, baptism was an almost immediate act after confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. ACT 8:36-38. The eunuch stopped his chariot, was baptized, then continued his journey!

MEANING OF WATER BAPTISM

BAPTISM MARKS AS A NEW BEGINNING. As we have seen, salvation involves several steps, leading to a new life, no longer separated from God by our sin, but enjoying once more a close relationship with him through Jesus Christ. In Romans 6, Paul gives two pictures of baptism that help us to appreciate what it really involves.

  1. PICTURE OF A FUNERAL OR BURIAL SERVICE. Baptism shows that a person is putting behind him, and burying forever, his past sinful life. Notice again that baptism by itself does not put to death our past life - only repentance and faith in Christ can do that. Baptism buries what repentance and faith has already put to death. You can only bury what is already dead.

  2. PICTURE OF A BEING PLANTED. Baptism is indeed the beginning of a new life. But there is a long way to go before the young plant reaches maturity. It must grow and develop. And so must we, otherwise we risk returning to our former sinful ways. It is a decision to totally change our life from one that was self-centered, and sin-centered, to one that is God-centered. In baptism we show our DETERMINATION to follow Christ for the rest of our lives.

    BELIEVE AND DO!
    Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

    James 2:17,19-20 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

    CONCLUSION: Let us make this decision to follow Jesus in His Death, Burial and newness of life. Our attitude should be like that of the Ethiopian Eunuch in ACT 8:36 -- "Why shouldn't I be baptized?"