Sermon – Baptism
- Baptism, while vitally and historically
important to the Church, is also a topic that can be quite divisive; with
believers, churches, and denominations disagreeing on:
- When to baptize:
- Some baptize babies to make sure they get baptized; and they equate this to the practice of circumcision. They claim that since circumcision was required to be Jewish, then when a baby is baptized; they are automatically a part of the Church.
- Some only baptize believers, after they have made a profession of faith and can understand why they need baptism and what it means.
- And oddly enough, there are even groups that
don’t baptize at all. I don’t understand
them as the command to do so is plainly command throughout the NT.
- How to baptize:
- Some churches sprinkle
- Some churches pour
- Some churches immerse
- Some leave the choice up to the one being baptized; while others demand that it only happen their way; (with perhaps only allowing extenuating circumstances to change their mind; but even still there are groups that will not allow other methods to be used.
- The thing is, there are verses, translations,
and traditions to support all sides.
- What Baptism Means or Does
- Some believe that the act of baptism is what saves a person; and that before they are baptized – usually immersed – they are lost even if they profess faith, confess their sins, repent, and claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
- Some believe that baptism locks in salvation – that after a person is baptized they can never lose their salvation or they will find it impossible to walk away from the faith.
- Some believe that baptism is what a believer
does after they are saved – after they repent – after they confess their sins –
and that it is an outward sign of an inward change … their first public
profession of faith and the beginning of a life of holiness and enduring to the
end.
- This morning, we will take a look at what Scripture says about baptism and why it is important to all believers and the life of the Church.
- When we read through the Bible, the first time
we come across baptism is early in the Gospel accounts, when John, (who is
appropriately called “The Baptist”), comes to the Judean wilderness and is
baptizing in / near / around the Jordan River and calling people to repentance
because they are sinful; and to be baptized.
Many hear his preaching and accept the call to confess, repent, and be
baptized. Even the Pharisees and Sadducees
show up, but John rebukes them and tells them to repent and bear fruit to prove
their sincerity.
- So, why did John baptize? For that answer, we would have to look at the
OT and also some Jewish writings and history to find out why they used baptism
(or ceremonial washings); when they used them; and what it meant.
- Although the term “baptism” is not used to
describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites in Jewish law and
tradition, called “Tvilah,” are similar to baptism, and the two are linked.
- The “Tvilah” is an act of washing in a bath
called a “Mikva” and most would say it required immersion; and not just
sprinkling, pouring, or using a cloth like you do in a normal bath.
- Being washed represent a change is status, in
regard to purification, restoration, and qualification for full religious
participation in the life of the community, ensuring that the cleansed person
will not impose or infect uncleanness on other people or their property.
- Before the days of the Babylonian Captivity, and
according to the Law, the only things required for a Gentile, (a pagan or
non-Jew), to convert to Judaism was to become circumcised and offer the
required sacrifices. After the
Babylonian Captivity, when the Jews returned home, to Israel, it appears
ceremonial washings were added to the requirements.
- So, John takes this notion and applies it to all
people, even the Jews. He tells them
that they are guilty of sin, and because of this, they need to repent, confess
their sins, be baptized, and live a life that proves their sincerity – that
they are truly sorry, truly remorseful, truly have changed their ways – that
they have left their sinful life behind and turned fully – 100% to God and
follow His ways, rules, teachings, regulations.
- He also tells them the Gospel and that Jesus
would be arriving soon – and that He would not be baptizing with water, but
rather with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- The change of ceremonial status in the Old
Testament could be obtained repeatedly, while Christian baptism, in the view of
most, is unique and not repeatable – it is seen as the start of a new life –
when the old man is buried and a new man is raised. Even those who get re-baptized as adults do
not see this as repeating the same event, because they are making the choice to
be baptized, instead of just a parent’s decision to baptize their child.
- So, that is where we are today – that is the background in which John appeared, preached, and baptized.
- Matthew 3:1-12 (John the Baptist Prepares the
Way) … (1) In those days, John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and
began preaching. His message was, (2)
“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (3) The prophet Isaiah was speaking about
John when he said, ‘He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way
for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road
for him!’” (4) John’s clothes were woven
from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey. (5) People from Jerusalem and from all of
Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. (6) And when they confessed their sins, he
baptized them in the Jordan River. (7)
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he
denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming
wrath? (8) Prove by the way you live
that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (9) Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re
safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’
That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham
from these very stones. (10) Even now
the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good
fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. (11) ‘I baptize with water those who repent
of their sins and turn to God. But
someone is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much greater that I’m not
worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and
with fire. (12) He is ready to separate
the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area,
gathering the wheat into his barn, but burning the chaff with never-ending
fire.”
- Matthew 3:13-17 (The Baptism of Jesus) … (13)
Then Jesus went to Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. (14) But John tried to talk him out of
it. “I am the one who needs to be
baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” (15) But Jesus said, “it should be done, for
we must carry out all that God requires.”
So, John agreed to baptize him.
(16) After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens
were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on
him. (17) And a voice from heaven said,
“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
- John’s message was clear; that peopled needed to
confess their sins, repent, and turn to God because the Kingdom of God was
near. John was referring to the arrival
of Jesus and His earthly ministry; (and possibly beyond).
- John was the forerunner of Jesus Christ – his
mission and ministry was to prepare people for what Jesus would say and do – to
prepare people to accept Jesus as the Messiah, to believe in Him, to put their
faith in Him, to make Jesus their Lord and Savior.
- The message has not changed in nearly 2,000 years. People still need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. To believe that He is the Messiah – that He is both God and the Son of God – the only perfect person to live; and that He willingly died for us on the cross; that He took our place and punishment, so we could benefit and receive an inheritance; and that we can have the same power in our lives that raised Jesus from the grave.
- John the Baptist said one would come after Him
that would not baptize with water, but with the Holy Spirit and fire. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), 3,000 were
saved, tongues of fire landed on the people and they were baptized with the
Holy Spirit.
- Other places in the NT mention that when
believers were baptized, they were filled with the Holy Spirit; but that was
not always the case to receive the Spirit or His power; as there were believers
in Acts 10 that were filled with the Spirit before being baptized.
- People from Jerusalem and the surrounding areas
came to hear John preach; they believed what he said; repented of their sins,
confessed their sins; and then were baptized.
They were not baptized and then believed, repented, and confessed –
there is a proper order.
- Then, the Pharisees and Sadducees show up; and
depending on your translation, it may say:
- They were coming to his baptism.
- They were coming for baptism or to be baptized.
- They were coming for the baptismal experience (because it was popular).
- They came to where he was baptizing.
- They came to watch him baptize.
- From what we read later in the Gospels about
Jesus’ experiences with these groups, it makes more sense that they were
showing up to watch people be baptized – to see what all the fuss was about –
or if they were wanting to be baptized, it would have been to just look the
part; as they did not change their ways or accept Jesus as Messiah, Lord, or
Savior; and Luke 7:30 tells us that the Pharisees and Sadducees rejected God’s
plan for them.
- John the Baptist even says as much. He calls them snakes and asks who warned them
to flee the coming wrath. He tells them
that if they are sincere, then they will bear fruit worthy of repentance – that
their faith will be evident to others – that they don’t just need to pay God
lip-service and pretend; but to genuinely repent – to confess their sins,
(which the Pharisees and Sadducees would have thought they didn’t have) – to believe
in the message that John was preaching (which was about Jesus) and then to be
baptized, (which they would not have wanted to do since they were already Jews
and in their minds, clean).
- We too, need to be sincere and genuine when it
comes to our faith and repentance. God
knows if we are truly remorseful and really want to serve Him. If we are being led by the Holy Spirit, then
we will also produce fruit and our faith will be easily seen by others.
- We mention Galatians 5:19-23 often and it makes sense to do this morning as well. Verses 19-21 mention things that we need to repent of and never do again. Verses 22-23 tell us what our lives should look like and what we need to show others … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We can go deeper and mention the book of James, which tells us to prove our faith – to not just say that we have faith, but to do something about it and with it.
- John continues his warning by saying that just
because they are Jewish – descendants of Abraham – that they were not secure or
safe. They also had to repent and live
right – and that God, if needed, could create more and true followers out of
rock.
- John says that judgment, punishment, rewards,
and eternity are closer than we think.
The ax is already at the tree, ready to chop it down, unless it produces
good fruit; otherwise, it will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
- John again says he only baptizes those who have
repented of their sins and have turned to God; and again, puts Jesus first and
ahead of himself – one who would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit –
however, he will also judge by separating the righteous from the wicked, with
the righteous going into peace and safety (barn) and the wicked into eternal
fire.
- Luke’s account of this same story adds a little
more detail with John telling people to share their food and clothes with those
in need; to not collect more than is required; to not extort; to not make false
accusations; and to be content with what they are paid.
- So, after the warnings, teachings, and
proclamation that Jesus was coming … Jesus appears on the scene at the Jordan
River.
- Jesus shows up to be baptized by John, but John
knows who Jesus is; (and from out study this past Wednesday night, we read that
John, while still in the womb recognized Jesus the Messiah); and John knows
that Jesus does not need to be baptized as He is sinless; but rather that Jesus
should baptize him.
- Jesus, however, urges John and tells him that it
must be done – that God requires it – that it would fulfill all righteousness,
so John agrees and baptizes Jesus. Jesus
identifying with mankind all the more, does this as an example and to be
obedient to God the father.
- When Jesus came out of the water, the heavens
opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and landed on Jesus; and a
voice from Heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy”
– so, God was well pleased with what happened and this is a proof of the
Trinity – Father, Son, and Spirit – and all 3 are in the same place at the same
time.
- After this, Jesus was led into the wilderness by
the Holy Spirit, fasted, and was tempted for 40 days and nights; and then He
started His public ministry that would last 3 years; and we will get to that in
a few meetings during our evening Bible studies.
- So, John the Baptist is the first one in the
Bible that we associate with the rite, sacrament, and ceremony of baptism. He came to warn people by preaching the
truth; telling them they needed to repent, confess their sins, and be baptized.
- We can read in the beginning of John 4 that
Jesus’ disciples were making more disciples and baptizing more than John; which
the Pharisees did not like.
- We can read the Great Commission, in Matthew
28:16-20, that Jesus told His disciples to go to all nations, to make
disciples, to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and
to teach these new disciples to obey all of His commands.
- This same pattern continues in the Acts 2, which
is the famous passage that tells us what happened on the Day of Pentecost. Peter preached and the Spirit convicted those
listening; and they asked Peter what they needed to do. Peter’s response was that they needed to
repent, turn to God, and be baptized in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of
sins.
- Acts 8:26-40 tells us the story of Phillip and
the Ethiopian Eunuch, who could have been a convert to Judaism. He was at the very least curious because he
was reading Scripture. Phillip explain
the Gospel to him, the Ethiopian believed, and then was baptized.
- Acts 16:16-40 tells us about Paul, Silas and the
Philippian jailer. While in the city
Paul made some people mad because he cast out a demon from a slave girl that
predicted the future and her owners were upset over lost income and they beat
Paul and Silas and placed them in prison.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were worshipping and there was an
earthquake and the prison doors opened, but they did not escape. The jailer thought they did and was going to
fall on his sword, but Paul and Silas stopped him and he was grateful and asked
them what he needed to do to be saved. Their
reply was to simply believe in the Lord Jesus; and they shared the Gospel with
him and his household; and then they were baptized.
- Salvation happened to one of our own recently –
at church camp. Somebody went to camp
with the purpose of sharing the Gospel – somebody preached about Jesus, His
sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection and being the only source of
salvation, the only way to God the Father.
Without Jesus we are lost, slaves to sin, and heading to Hell. With Jesus we are saved, forgiven, no longer
slaves to sin – we are more than conquerors with Jesus as sin is defeated and
we can live a life of holiness, doing only what pleases God, and sharing our
faith and the Gospel with others, being salt and light; and making a positive difference.
- Church ceremonies are designed to get us to look
at our past, present, and future. For
those who are saved, please think back to when you asked God to forgive you,
when you asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, when you confessed and
repented of your sins; and strive to serve God with all of your heart, soul,
mind, and strength; and live a holy life.
- If you have never confessed and repented of your sins, then there is no better time than now to do so. This very hour you can confess, repent, believe in Jesus, and have Him be your Lord and Savior. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow or even to make it home. I don’t say that just to scare you, but we all need to be prepared to meet God when we die. So please do not let this opportunity pass by if you need to make things right with God.