Memory Verse: Matthew 3:13
Life Application: We should follow Jesus’ example of water baptism.
Bible Text:
Matthew 28:18-20
Luke 23:39-43
Matthew 3:13-17
Mark 1:9-11
Luke 3:21-22
Acts 8:26-38
Water baptism is an important part of a believer’s life. As a believer we should follow Jesus’ example in water baptism. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus gave us the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Those who accepted Jesus as Savior in the time of the New Testament were baptized in water to show that they were Jesus’ followers. Jesus established the command and the Church obeyed it. We, too, should obey it. When we are baptized we are obeying Jesus, and it is a milestone (memorial) in our life. It is a time that we can return to in our memories as a specific moment that we know we declared to others that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer.
Salvation Is By Grace
We are baptized to show others that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and want to follow Him and live for Him. Water baptism is also an illustration of our dying to sin and being raised to new life in Christ Jesus.
Water baptism does not save us. A person does not have to be baptized to go to heaven. In Luke 23:39-43 the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom was told that he would be with Jesus that day in paradise.
Luke 23:39-43 NKJV
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The thief was not baptized, however he went to heaven. Salvation is by God’s grace not by our works. If we accept salvation through Jesus’ dying on the cross for us, we are saved and we will go to heaven.
Repentance comes first – before water baptism. After salvation (repentance), water baptism is a natural step in our faith. Each person that is saved should obey Jesus and follow His example in water baptism.
The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
“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.’ ”
Jesus told us to baptize in the name of the Father, the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit. By baptizing in their names it shows the equality of the Godhead. There is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The three are one – equal in power, glory, and authority. As we are baptized using these words, we recognize God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as having equal and total control in our lives as we publicly claiming our relationship to them.
Reasons For Baptism By Immersion
The word “baptism” means to submerge, dip, or immerse. Some churches teach that sprinkling is the proper pattern for water baptism. Others believe in immersion – the entering into and being lowered under the water. The primary reasons for believing that water baptism is to be done by immersion is:
1. In water baptism we identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
2. We are making a declaration to others of the death and burial of our old sinful life and our resurrection into new life through Christ Jesus.
3. It shows others that our “old man” has died – that we are a new creation.
4. Jesus was immersed. We should follow His example.
Jesus’ Baptism
Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
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. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22 NKJV
“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
The Ethiopian Eunuch Was Immersed
Acts 8:26-38 NKJV
“Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.”
Review
1. Water baptism is an _____________________ part of a believer’s life.
2. Those who accepted Jesus as Savior in the time of the New Testament were baptized in water to show that they were ______________ followers.
3. Water baptism is a time that we can return to in our memories as a specific moment that we know we declared to others that Jesus is our _________________ and _______________________.
4. Believers are baptized in water to show others what?
5. Water baptism is an illustration of our ____________ to sin and being _______________ to new life in Christ Jesus.
6. Salvation is by God’s ______________ not by our works. If we accept salvation through Jesus’ dying on the cross for us, we are ________________ and we will go to heaven.
7. Why are believers baptized in the name of the Father, the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit?
8. What does the word baptize mean?
9. Who baptized Jesus in water?
10. When Jesus came up out of the water…
* the __________________ were opened to Him.
* the ___________ _____________ descend upon Him like a dove.
* _________ spoke from heaven.
11. What did God say?
12. Where was Jesus baptized?
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