TEXT:MATT. 3:13-17 BAPTISM A. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. Mt.3:13-17; Mk.1:9-11; Lk.3:21-22; Jn.1:31-34. How can Hewho knew no sin humble...
TEXT:MATT. 3:13-17 BAPTISM
A. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. Mt.3:13-17; Mk.1:9-11; Lk.3:21-22; Jn.1:31-34.
How can Hewho knew no sin humble Himself to John’s baptism unto repentance. Mt.3:6,11. His Baptism is not for repentance or remission of sins but it is for four important reasons.
1. To fulfil all righteousness of God.
2. Jesus is our example in all things. He authenticated BAPTISM as a post-salvation requirement. He also set a standard of the type of acceptable baptism. Christ had to travel from Nazareth of Galilee to the wilderness of Judea which is about 100 Kilometres to be baptized of John.
3. The baptism of Christ served as an induction of Christ into His ministry and the announcement of John’s retirement. It is seen as a handing-over exercise from John to Christ. John made it known to the people that henceforth he (John) would be decreasing while Christ would be increasing John 3:30 and immediately, Christ assigned John’s job (baptism) to His disciples to John’s disciples reported the case to John in John 3:25-31.
4. The announcement of the divine stamp of approval for the commencement of Christ’s ministry and His person and ministry. Matt. 3:17.Christ’s Messiahship is authenticated.
5. Symbolic of the greater baptism which He was to undergo at Calvary (Mt.20:22) where He was to fulfil God’s purpose in sending Him to the world.
6. Jesus Christ is humble in submitting to John so as to identify with mankind in all things.
B. WHAT IS BAPTISM ?
To dip under, sink, overwhelm with, plunge into Seven Baptisms in Scripture:
1. John's baptism in water (Mt 3; Mk 1; Lk 3; 7:29-30; Jn 1:31-33; 3:23-26; 10:40; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 19:3)
2. Christ's baptism in water (John 3:22; 4:1-2)
3. Baptism in suffering (Luke 12:50)
4. Baptism in the cloud and in the sea (1 Cor. 10:2)
5. Christian baptism in water (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; 8:12-16,36-38; Acts 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1 Cor. 1:13-17; 1 Peter 3:21)
6. Baptism into Christ and into His body (Romans 6:3-7; 1 Cor. 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Col. 2:12)
7. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11,14; Matthew 20:22-23; Mark 1:8; Mark 10:38-39; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16; Acts 19:2-3)
Three Baptisms for Believers:
1. Into Christ or into His body at repentance and the new birth; Called "one baptism" (Ephes. 4:5), because it is the only baptism that saves the soul and brings into the body of Christ. (Romans 6:3-7; 1 Cor. 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Col. 2:12)
2. Water baptism after one is saved (as in 5, above Mt 3:11; 28:19) - Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38- 41;8:12-16,36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1 Cor. 1:13-17; 1 Pt.3:21)
3. Spirit baptism, the enduement of power for service. It can take place before water baptism (Acts 10:44-48) or after it (Acts 1:4-8; Acts 2:1-11; Acts 8:12-21; Acts 19:1-7). (Matthew 3:11,14; Matthew 20:22-23; Mark 1:8; Mark 10:38-39; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16; Acts 19:2-3)
The Holy Spirit is the agent to baptize into Christ and into His body (1 Cor. 12:13); Christ is the agent to baptize in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; John 1:31-33); and the minister is the agent to baptize into water (Matthew 28:19).
SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT BAPTISM
1. What is baptism? Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34). Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21).
The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!
2. Why should I be baptized? Why does baptism matter? Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9). Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts2:38-41).
3. When’s the best time to be baptized? For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
4. Do you baptize children? As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9). Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). In Christ Apostolic Church, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism. Members who express faith in Jesus anew are sent to the baptismal class. If your child has already asked Jesus into his life, explain what baptism is and what it means. Facilitate the conversation, but don’t dominate it.
5. What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10). Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5).
6. Do I need to be baptized again? If you haven’t been baptized by immersion since you decided to follow Jesus, we want to help you take your next step of being baptized. Once you’ve taken that step, there’s no need to be baptized again. God never asks us to take a next step that isn’t good for us. He always gives us more than we deserve or can imagine, including the joy we receive from listening to Him and doing what He says.
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH. SURREY DOCKS DISTRICT, HQ
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