Baptism

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24. BAPTISM Beginning from John the Baptist, the act of baptism has acquired a profound spiritual meaning.

Many consider it as a symbol of the new birth. Others just as a ritual to become member of a church.

There are around different ideas regarding the way it should be performed, under the influence of hundreds of years of traditions.

In this study, we will see the biblical meaning of baptism and why this act has an important role in our relationship with God.

1. What, According to the Bible, is Directly Connected to the Fact of Believing in God?

 Mark 16:15-16 Baptism is strongly connected to the fact of believing in God. Baptism and belief in God are both necessary for our salvation.

2. What did Peter Say to Those Who Believed His Preaching on the Day of Pentecost?

 Acts 2:37-38

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, told those who believed to repent and be baptized. The Holy Spirit Himself inspired him to put a special emphasis on this.

3. How Important is Baptism for My Salvation?

 Acts 22:16 Baptism is here linked to the washing away of sins. The Bible tells us that it is Jesus’ blood that washes away our sins (see Revelation 1:5). Baptism and Jesus’ blood are therefore connected with each other.

4. HOW WAS BAPTISM PERFORMED IN JESUS ’ DAYS?

 John 3:23 Much water was required in order to perform a baptism. In fact, the word baptism, from the Greek baptizo, means to immerse or to submerge. So biblical baptism requires the person to be fully immersed in water.

5. What does Baptism Represent?

 Romans 6:3-5 2 24. Baptism – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 Baptism is a burial in water that represents Jesus’ burial after His death. Here we do not talk of physical death, but of death to sin, that must come before burial.

6. What does Death to Sin Represent?

 Romans 6:1-2 Our situation as sinners is a situation of slavery to sin (see John 8:34). A slave has but two options: to obey his/her master or to die.

God, through the Holy Spirit, shows us what sin is and helps us to realize that we need deliverance from it. God is the one leading in this process, that has the purpose of delivering us from sin with a death that will be followed by a new life (as it was for Jesus). This death to sin is repentance.

7. What are the Consequences of Death to Sin and of Repentance Compared to Each Other?

 Romans 6:6-7; 1 Peter 2:24; Acts 26:19-20 When we die to sin we are no longer slaves to sin, but we are freed from sin. This freedom, provided for us from Jesus, allows us to live a righteous life through the power of God.

True repentance brings a change in life, a change in desires, a change in aims. Those who experience repentance are now directed toward God, to live a righteous life.

Repentance and death to sin have the same consequences, so they are indeed one and the same experience.

8. Who Gave Us an Example That We Might Follow It?

 Matthew 3:13 Jesus gave us an example, that we might follow Him in all things, including baptism. If someone died, he must be buried. It is the best thing to be done. Baptism is the best thing a repented sinner can do.

9. WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE OF BURIAL (BAPTISM) IN CHRIST?

 Romans 6:6-8; Colossians 2:12 When we die to sin we are no longer slaves to sin, but we are freed from sin. After His burial (even if not immediately) Jesus was resurrected. The same thing is for those who died to sin and are baptized: they have the opportunity to have a new life in Jesus Christ.

10. What does It Mean to Live in Newness of Life?

 Galatians 3:27; Galatians 2:20 When we are baptized in Christ we decide to put on Christ. 24. Baptism – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 3 Then it is no longer us who live, but Christ lives in us and our lives we then live by faith in Jesus Christ.

11. WHAT HAS BEEN PROMISED TO US IN ORDER TO LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD ’ SWILL AFTER BAPTISM?

 Acts 2:38; Matthew 3:16-17 God’s promise is that those who are baptized shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism He received the Holy Spirit and the Father told Him, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” When we are baptized we receive in the same way the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Father in heaven pronounces on us the same blessing He pronounced on Jesus, “This is My beloved son/daughter, in whom I am well pleased.”

12. In Whose Name Should We Be Baptized?

 Matthew 28:19 The Bible orders to baptize in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is not a magic formula that brings salvation, but it reminds us of those who have been involved in our salvation process.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all cooperating for our salvation and our burial of the old self is a public testimony of their work in our lives.

13. What is the Natural Consequence of Being Baptized?

 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 As we are baptized, the Spirit of God leads us to be part of the body of Christ, which is His faithful church (see Colossians 1:18).

14. What does Baptism Imply?

 Colossians 3:1 Baptism is a public decision that shows to our family and friends that we want to begin a new life in Christ, no longer in slavery to sin, but in the freedom given us by God through Jesus.

If then we are raised with Christ, we must seek those things which are above, where Christ is and where He wants to take us also.

Appeal

If someone is dead to sin the best thing to be done is to bury him. That is the right thing to be done.

Do you recognize that your encounter with God has changed your priorities and that you are no longer slave to sin having a freedom of choice that you couldn’t have without God’s help?

If you died to sin, there is only one good thing that should be done. The corpse should be buried.

Do you want to take the decision today to seal God’s work in your life and to be buried in the waters of baptism?