|
|
|
Discipling 12
Lesson 12
Water Baptism
Concept:
One of the last commands
that Jesus gave to all of us disciples was that
we were to go into all of the world and make
disciples of all nations and baptizing them in
the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
Obviously the Lord thought that water baptism
was very important. Contrary to some teaching,
water baptism is not necessary for salvation but
is done because of salvation. Scripture states,
that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is
Lord and believe in my heart that God raised
Him from the dead then I am saved.
Romans 10:9 says "Salvation is found in no one
else, for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved." This
states, that faith in what Jesus has done for us,
is the only thing necessary for salvation. Some
use Acts 2:38, and tell us we should repent and
be baptized and we will receive the forgiveness
of sins, meaning we will be saved only after we
are baptized. If baptism is necessary for
salvation then the thief on the cross did not
get to be with Jesus in Paradise nor did John
the Baptist, the greatest of the Prophets.
Scripture records (John 20:19-23 ), that the
disciples were born again but we never read of
them being water baptized. It is recorded that
they received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
but not that any of them were water baptized.
We are not saying that water baptism is not
important; we are saying that it is not
essential for salvation. Salvation is by grace
through faith not grace through water baptism.
We see the disciples using water baptism in
obedience to the Lord's command. In Acts
10:47,48 and in Acts 8:12,13, scripture states,
that people believed and were baptized as a
public statement of what had taken place in their
lives. This tells us that it is important for us
to follow the Lord's command to baptize in water.
Acts 10:47,48 needs to be compared to
Matthew 28:18,19. One says to baptize in the
name of Jesus and the other says to baptize in
the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit. Why the difference? The answer: there is
no difference. Colossians 2:9 shows us why there
is no difference. This verse states that in Jesus
the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form.
So, when you use the name of Jesus the whole
Godhead is used. When baptizing I always baptize
in the Name of Jesus in whom the fullness of the
Godhead dwells in bodily form and in the Name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This
way everyone is happy! Baptism is not for
legalism but to demonstrate freedom.
Baptism in water is a ritual and represents what
has already taken place in our lives. It is not
to receive salvation but is done because of
salvation. Baptism is a prophetic declaration in
the physical and spiritual realm that we are
identifying with the death, burial, and
resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are
witnessing to the kingdom of darkness that the
influence and control of darkness in our lives
is over; from now on we are going to be influenced
by the Kingdom of Light. No longer will my flesh
or evil spirits be the controlling factor in my
life. I am a new creation and a member of a new
family. The old man stayed under the water and
the new man came up. The old man died and the
new man was resurrected. The act of Water
Baptism allows this picture to be shown but
doesn't give the picture substance; my faith in
what Jesus did on the cross and at resurrection
allows substance to be put in the picture.
There are eight baptisms listed in scripture.
Let's look at all of them and then focus on
water baptism.
Application:
Definition of the word Baptism:
Baptisma (Greek): Dip, immerse, the result
of the act rather than the act itself. In
Christian water baptism, the emphasis is on
the baptized person's identification with
Christ in death, burial, and resurrection
(Revelation 19:13 [Spirit Filled Bible]).
Things to Ponder on Water Baptism (Dyke's Bible)
1. All occasions of confession of sin were made
before baptism (Luke 3:8-14)
2. Only believers are baptized after repentance
(Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:28)
3. The Greek word "eis" is translated " because
84 times"
4. Only a symbol of death, burial, and
resurrection (I Peter 3:21)
5. Not essential for salvation
( I Corinthians 1:13-21)
6. Only faith in blood of Christ brings
remission of sin (Romans 5:1-11)
7. Christ forgave sins without baptism (Mark 9:1-7)
8. Old Testament saints were not baptized in water
Eight Types of Baptism
(four are rituals and four are real)
1. Hebrews 6:1-2
2. I Corinthians 10:2
3. Matthew 3:1-10
Luke 16:16
4. Matthew 3:13-17
5. Acts 8:12
6. Matthew 3:11-12
7. Mark 10:38-39
8. I Corinthians 12:13
Scriptures:
1. Colossians 2:12
2. Romans 6:6
3. Galatians 2:20
4. Acts 2:38
5. Acts 2:41
6. Acts 8:12,13
7. Acts 9:18
8. Acts 10:47,48
9. Acts 11:16
10. Acts 16:15
11. Acts 16:33
12. Acts 18:8
13. Acts 22:16
14. Romans 6:3
15. Galatians 3:27
16. Mark 16:16
17. Luke 7:29,30
18. I Peter 3:21
19. Mark 1:4
Acts 13:24
Acts 19:3,4
20. Ephesians 4:5
Old Testament Type Baptism
1. Exodus 30:18
2. Exodus 40:30
3. II Chronicles 4:6
4. John 3:25
5. Ephesians 5:26
Summary:
Water baptism is an exciting
prophetic declaration that we are making to the
kingdom of darkness. We are declaring that
Satan's power over us is no longer legal
because we are coming out of sin and entering
into the promise land of righteousness. Our old
man and all of its ways have been crucified on
the cross.
Our old life with our old father the devil is
over; because we are a new creation. God is
now my Father and His nature is now in me. I
am lead of the Spirit and I will no longer fall
captive to the deeds of the flesh. My mind is
thinking on who I am in Christ and the exciting
future I have in Christ. I have made a decision
to look at my future and not my past. My hand
is put to a new plow and I am not going to look
to the right or left. I consider my flesh dead
since I have been crucified with Christ by
faith. My new life I live by the power of the
Holy Spirit. The heavens are open to me so I
can see what my destiny in the Lord is, and
how to walk that destiny out on a daily basis.
Now, I know that the Father loves me and He has
put His anointing on me. I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.
Action Point:
If you have not been water
baptized, be water baptized as soon as possible.
If you have been, then expect that you will now
walk in the power of the new birth. Meditate on
Romans 6:6 and confess over yourself that you
have come out of bondage and you are now walking
in new life.
|
