Presented, July 23, 2006 am
BECAUSE I WAS BAPTIZED:
While much of the religious world misunderstands the importance and purpose of baptism, we cannot escape its necessity in order to be saved. In my lesson this morning, I want to talk about what baptism does. If you are in need of becoming a Christian, there will be much to consider. But my approach is to remind us as Christians what happened when we were baptized and to challenge us to examine if that change is still in effect. Because I was baptized:
I. I am saved.
a.
Numerous passages associate our salvation with the act
of baptism.
Acts 2:38 – for the remission of sins. Remission means, first and foremost a
release (as from bondage). Concerning baptism, Peter is saying that in the act
of baptism (based upon faith) our sins are released or removed or forgiven.
Mark 16:16 – he who believes and is baptized shall be saved …
Acts 22:16 – Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins
1 Peter 3:21 – baptism now saves, just as Noah and his family were saved through
water.
b.
But, am I still saved?
We must remind ourselves that as Christians, we must remain faithful to God –
much of the New Testament is written to regulate how Christians are to live
their lives. Ultimately, baptism is just the beginning of our spiritual
journey. Paul bore this out in Romans 6 where he reminded these brethren that
they had been baptized which meant they were now servants of God.
Passages like 2 Peter 2:20-21 warn of the consequences of quitting or returning
to the world.
So where do you stand? As you look at your spiritual life. Are you a stronger
Christian now or are you weaker? Have you stayed the same and are just coasting
along? Have you allowed the cares of this world to choke out the effectiveness
of God’s word in your life?
II. I put on Christ
a.
The act of baptism is an act that puts one into
Christ.
Galatians 3:27 says that in the act of baptism, we put on Christ. Note also how
this text says we are baptized “into Christ.”
Colossians 2:12 notes, that we are buried with Him and raised with Him.
The very act of baptism is designed to put us in contact with His blood which
was shed on the cross. Thus being a Christian means that in a sense we are
wearing Christ. That is, He inhabits us and influences all that we do.
b. NOTE: A necessary conclusion of this is that if one chooses not to be baptized for the right reason, he is NOT in Christ.
c.
Having put on Christ, how are you “wearing” Him in
your life?
Romans 13:14 calls for us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no
provisions for the flesh…”
Are we striving to imitate Him? (1 Corinthians 11:1) As you continue to develop
in your Christian life, do you see more of Him now than before? Consider
Galatians 2:20
III. I was added to the Lord’s church-
a.
In Acts 2:46, we read that daily those who were saved
were added to the church (See Acts 2:38). The church as used in this sense
(universal) is a description of all who are saved. It is our relationship with
Him. Ephesians 4:4 says, “there is one body and one Spirit, just as you
were called in one hope of your calling…”
1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one
body…” As I understand this verse, Paul is noting how they are united together
in Christ (their universal relationship) – the act of baptism being that uniting
factor – that which adds us to His body.
Then in this context, it leads into a discussion about the local church and
members working together (much as a body consists of many parts). Paul is
stressing the importance of each of us and how we need each other.
b.
What does that church mean to you?
Being a part of the Lord’s church, have you found a body of saints to join
yourself to (Acts 9:26)? Is this church more than a membership number? Some
churches keep you on the roll, no matter how faithful you are or not. Is that
all God expects of His church? Try reading all of Ephesians and you will see
the church’s importance.
IV. I put to death the man of sin –
a.
Multitudes of passages remind us what we used to be.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 speaks of the types of people who will not inherit the
kingdom of God. He notes that, “such were some of you…” Ephesians 2:1-3, 1
Peter 4:2-3, etc.
Colossians 2:11-12 in dealing with baptism equates it to circumcision. A Jewish
ritual that God commanded for all males. It was a surgical procedure that
removed the male’s foreskin on the eight day of his life. In passages like this
one, we see the significance of it as it describes removing the fleshly in
spiritual submission to Jehovah God.
Romans 6:3-4 (again) in describing the burial of baptism notes that it involves
putting to death the man of sin. Do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies
(vs. 12)
b. When we become Christians, we are surrendering our lives to Christ. We vow to walk away from our former, sinful lives and live differently now. UNDERSTAND that this step IS A COMMITMENT to real change.
c.
Now I ask, have I really put to death the old man? Do
I find myself looking back and longing for “the good ole days?” Friend, if you
find yourself desiring your former life SOMETHING IS WRONG! That man was done
away with!
Consider why you wanted to change in the first place: IT is because you knew
the hopelessness of that life. You know that it never really led you to where
you OUGHT to be. Are you trying to resurrect the man of sin in your life? May
it never be so!
V. I put on the new man –
a.
Many passages speak of our former life and putting to
death the man of sin. Many others contrast this with putting on the new man.
Ephesians 43:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10, etc.
Romans 6:3-4 after telling us in baptism we put to death and bury the man of
sin, we are raised to walk in newness of life.
b.
How healthy is that new man?
Luke 11:24-26 tells the parable of a demon cast out of a man that goes searing
for rest. When he returns to that man, he finds nothing taking the place of
where he was. Thus he reenters and brings with him friends, 7 spirits more
wicked than himself. The lesson for us in this is the fact that when we drive
out the old, we MUST replace it with the new.
Philippians 4:8 calls upon us to “meditate on these things.” Understand that
the life of a Christian is not complete if we have not made something out of
ourselves after we have put away what we used to be.
The word “sound” which describes our doctrine, speech, faith, (Titus 2:1, 2, 8;)
and mind (2 Timothy 1:7) means to be healthy and physically (spiritually) well.
As Christians this new man is to desire the pure milk of the word so that we can
grow (1 Peter 2:1-2) to the point of maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14, Philippians
3:15). IT is to be a life that thrives.
VI. I have hope
a.
Hebrews 10:22-23 says, “let us draw near with a
true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from
an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us
hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who
promised is faithful.” This is a chapter that calls for faith, endurance
and hope in our lives. Because we are saved we have a hope of something better
when this life is over – heaven! (See Hebrews 11:40).
Christians have a living hope – 1 Peter 1:3. The Hebrew writer described it as
an anchor for our soul (6:19) fastened in heaven itself.
b. As you look at your life, do you have hope? If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? Are you pleased with your answer? Are you sure? Friends, if you cannot say with complete assurance that you will go to heaven, you have some examination and changing to do.
These are some of the blessings that come with baptism. If you are not a Christian, let me exhort you to be baptized today. Of course this baptism must come because you have faith and are willing to repent of your sins. Romans 10:9-10 tells us that we need to with the mouth confess Him to be saved. It is only then that you can be baptized and enjoy all the benefits we have discussed in this lesson. IF you are a Christian, do these things we have discussed still apply to you? If not, repentance is called for. IF there is any way we can assist you, respond today.