Basic Christianity 4 -- Why Bother With Baptism?

7th October, 2018

Basic Christianity 4 -- Why Bother With Baptism?

A sermon preached on 7th October, 2018, as part of our Basic Christianity. series.

Matthew 3:13-17

Details

Reading is Matthew 3:13-17, with references to Acts 16:33, Rom 6:1-11, Col 2:12, Matt 10:32-33, Rom 10:9, Matt 28:19-20 ("The Great Commission"), and various verses in Acts.

About the Speaker

Phil Marsden

Phil received his call to full-time ministry as a child and since the age of 19 has served with Youth For Christ, the Baptist Missionary Society and several large churches before taking up his present role as Ministry Team Leader at Central Baptist Church. Phil’s a visionary leader with a heart to share the good news of Jesus and to see the church grow.

View all sermons by Phil Marsden.

Basic Christianity.

1

Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".

Phil Marsden
9th September 2018
2

Basic Christianity 2 -- The Truth About Jesus.

Phil Marsden
16th September 2018
3

Basic Christianity 3 -- What Is A Real Christian?

Phil Marsden
30th September 2018
4

Basic Christianity 4 -- Why Bother With Baptism?

Phil Marsden
7th October 2018
5

Basic Christianity 5 -- Learning How To Pray.

Phil Marsden
21st October 2018
6

Basic Christianity 6 -- Understanding the Bible.

All-age Team
28th October 2018
7

Basic Christianity Extra -- Why So Much Suffering?

Phil Marsden
4th November 2018
8

Basic Christianity 7 -- Living the Christian Life.

Phil Marsden
18th November 2018
9

Basic Christianity 8 -- The Holy Spirit and Me.

Phil Marsden
25th November 2018
10

Basic Christianity 9 -- Sharing Faith With Others.

Phil Marsden
2nd December 2018
11

Basic Christianity 10 -- Being Part of the Church.

Phil Marsden
9th December 2018

Transcript

WHY BOTHER WITH BAPTISM?

What is baptism?

Baptise (in Greek) = plunge, soak, sink, drown or drench!
In biblical terms it’s the full immersion in water of those who repent and follow Jesus

Who can be baptised?

Anyone who’s repented and decided to follow Jesus…‘believer’s baptism’
N.B. babies can’t do this, but parents can ‘dedicate’ child to God until they can decide

Why should we be baptised?

Follow Jesus example (Mt 3:16) …he was baptised, said it’s right, we’re his followers
Identify with Jesus (Col 2:12) …die to sin, bury in baptism, rise to a new life with him
Declare Jesus publicly (Mt 10:32) …a biblical way to declare and demonstrate our faith
Obey Jesus command (Mt 28:19) …he told us to, wants us to, show obedience this way

When should we be baptised?

As soon as possible after becoming a Christian!
Acts 2:38-41 3000 saved and baptised on same day
Acts 8:12-13 When they believed…they were baptised
Acts 8:35-38 He believed…saw some water…got baptised
Acts 10:47-48 God accepted them…who could stop baptism!
Acts 22:16 What are you waiting for…get up and be baptised!

Why don’t we always get baptised straight away?

They understood faith quicker due to the religious climate…we help people understand
They had plenty of public water and a good climate…we don’t always and the UK’s cold!
They didn’t have years of church tradition to confuse them…we debate, dispute it’s need
They didn’t think they had to be perfect or good up front…we try to be perfect and worry

Where should we get baptised?

Anywhere with enough water to be submerged (river, sea, baths, baptism pool etc.)
John 3:23 Aenon was a good place because there was plenty of water!

Why do we usually do baptisms in church?

The early church didn’t have baptism pools, but churches use them today because:
The weathers often too cold outside
It’s more convenient, it’s where we meet
It associates baptism with the church
It can help introduce others to the church

Jesus gave us two key ordinances…

Communion: To remember Christ’s death for us
Water baptism: To remember our death for Christ

Baptism is an appropriate, biblical and God given response to the Gospel

So “what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away!” (Ac 22:16)