Believers Baptism
Repent and be baptised – Acts 2 v 38
Hearing they believed and were baptised – Acts 18 v 8
“Repent and be baptised…..”
Repent – change of attitude, mind, direction, feeling of remorse and turning away or about turn from a sinful Godless way of life.
In one sense, man is incapable of this by himself and although we are commanded to repent –
Repentance is actually a gift from God: -
Acts 5 v 3, 11 v 18, 2 Tim. 2 v 25
Repentance is an essential part of conversion and response to the Gospel.
A change of:
Direction
Mind
Heart
Allegiances
Lifestyle
Community - Commitment
Repentance / faith is linked next to baptism.
We are not talking here about infant baptism or ‘Christening’ although this is practiced by some Churches.
This study deals with the ‘believers baptism’, which takes place when someone is old enough to have made his or her own decision to become a Christian.
Who should be baptised?
Anyone who loves Jesus and knows Him as Saviour and Lord.
Baptism is always linked with faith in Jesus.
Look at Acts 18:8. Many people at Corinth did two things when they heard Paul’s message. What were they?
1)…………………………….. 2)………………………………………
What two things did the people who heard Peter’s preaching do (Acts 2:41)?
1)………………………………2)………………………………………
BELIEVING IN JESUS AND GETTING BAPTISED BELONG TOGETHER!
Why be baptised?
1) To obey Jesus’ command.
Read Matthew 28 v 18 – 20. What 3 things did Jesus tell his friends to go and do?
i)………………………..………………………………………………
ii)………………………..……………………………….…………….
iii)………………………………………………………………………
2) To show your faith in Jesus.
People demonstrate about all sorts of things these days. By being baptised, you demonstrate publicly that you love Jesus and want to live for Him.
From Jesus’ words in Mark 8 v 38, what will happen to the person who is ashamed of being known as a Christian?
………………………………………………………………………….
(Note: Jesus was called the Son of Man)
3) To prepare to serve Jesus.
From Matthew 3 v 16, when did the Holy Spirit come down on Jesus?
………………………………………………………………………….
It wasn’t until after this experience that he went out to preach and heal. It was the same with Saul. See how he describes his conversion in Acts 22 v 6 – 16. (Note: Saul later came to be called Paul).
What did he need to do before he began his work? (verses 15 – 16)?
………………………………………………………………………….
Now look at Acts 9 v 17 – 18. Why did Ananias say he had been sent to Saul?
………………………………………………………………………….
So being baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit are events that should come before we begin to serve the Lord.
What is Baptism?
The word ‘baptise’ means to plunge, sink, drench, drown, soak, dip or immerse! This is why many Churches baptise people by immersion – a full ‘ducking’ in the water! It was usually done this way in New Testament times and often in the open-air. (Matt 3 v 1) “In those days John the Baptist / Dipper came preaching”.
Read about Jesus’ baptism in Mark 1 v 9 – 11. Where was Jesus baptised?
…………………………………………………………………………..
Today, people are often baptised in a pool in the Church building, or in a swimming pool, but some are still baptised in the sea, a lake or a river.
What does baptism mean?
Baptism is a sign of 4 things that happen to a person who believes in Jesus. They can be summed up in 4 words symbolising:
1) Washing away past sins. What was Saul told to do in Acts 22 v 16?
………………………………………………………………………….
And from Acts 2 v 38, what did Peter tell the crowds they must do to have their sins forgiven?
………………………………………………………………………….
Just as a bath cleans the dirt from our bodies, so baptism shows that as a Christian we have been ‘washed clean’ from the effects of sin.
2) Burying the old life. What does Paul say happens when a person becomes a Christian?
“The Funeral Service of the OLD, The Resurrection Celebration of the NEW”
2 Cor. 5 v 17 …………………………………………………………….
When you become a Christian, you make room for Jesus’ new way of life by saying goodbye to your old way.
WHEN WE JOIN OUR LIVES TO JESUS, GOD MAKES WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM APPLY TO
US. This is what Romans 6 v 4 means. What 2 experiences do we share with Christ in baptism?
i) ………………………………………………………………..
ii) ………………………………………………………………..
3) Saturating – Empowering of God’s Holy Spirit.
Very often in the New Testament, baptism in water is linked with being baptised with the Holy Spirit. We have already seen that the Holy Spirit came on Jesus and on Saul at their baptisms. What gift does Peter say is given to those who turn from sin and are baptised? See Acts 2 v 38
…………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………..
Read 1 Cor. 12 v 12 – 13. What does the end of verse 13 say about the Holy Spirit?
…………………………………………………………………………..
Just as in baptism the water washes right over you and soaks you from head to foot, so God wants to flood your life with his Spirit!
4) Identifying with Christ and His Church
The Bible describes the Christian family as the Body of Christ. When you become a Christian, you become part of the body. Baptism is a way of showing this publicly. See 1 Cor. 12 v 12 – 13 again. You cannot be a lone Christian doing your own thing. Being committed to Jesus also means being committed to a local group of Christians – loving them, serving them and worshipping with them.
- Matt 28 v 9 & Acts 2 v 38
There are 5 recorded Baptismal Services in the Book of Acts: -
Acts 2 v 38 – 41 – In the name of Jesus Christ
Acts 8 v 5 – 16 - In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Acts 9 v 18 & 22 v 16 - In the name of the Lord - Jesus
Acts 10 v 48 - In the name of the Lord - Jesus
Acts 19 v 5 - In the name of the Lord - Jesus
There has been some confusion and controversy over the mode of Baptism i.e.
The name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt 28 v 19 & Acts 2 v 38).
This does not undermine or de-trinitise the Godhead; rather it highlights the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is:
1. The God ordained Name – Matt 1 v 18
2. The Saving Name – Matt 1 v 18 & Acts 4 v 12
3. Baptising Name – Acts 2 v 38
4. Healing Name – Acts 3 v 6
5. Delivering Name – Mark 16 v 17
6. Empowering Name - Mark 16 v 17 & 18
7. Trusting name – Matt 12 v 21
8. Gathering Name – Matt 18 – 20
9. Highest Name – Phil 2 v 9
10. The More Excellent Name – Heb 1 v 4
11. The Keeping Name – Rev 2 v 13
The Book of Acts is full of the Name of the Lord Jesus. Everything was done in His Name, that’s why they were:
Threatened
Intimidated
Persecuted
Martyred
ALL BECAUSE OF HIS NAME.
Paul’s testimony was that he “would suffer many things for My Name’s sake” Acts 9 v 16.
Believers’ Baptism is by Total Immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus
In the name of Jesus – conveying that the person being baptised enters into allegiance with Jesus – thus tying in with the evidence that at baptisms’ it was customary to make a public confession of Jesus as Lord (Rom 10 v 9, 1 Cor 12 v 3).
· Expression of Faith & Commitment to Jesus as Lord
· Personal Repentance from all the Old and obedience walking into the New
· Death, Burial & Resurrection
· Gift of the Holy Spirit
When should I be Baptised?
As soon as possible! Most of the first Christians were converted and baptised on the same day! Turn to Acts 8 v 26 – 40. In this story, Philip baptises an important Ethiopian Official. How long had he been a Christian when he was baptised?
Was it:
1. 10 years;
2. 6 months;
3. minutes;
4. all his life?
………………………………………
Here is a question to ask yourself from verse 36.
Here is water………………………..
1. Repentance / faith
2. Baptism / allegiance
3. Meaningful Membership - God added to them / the Church daily such as were being saved
4. Then…There’s a Going On!
V 42 – They devoted themselves to……
New converts took part in 4 activities:
Apostles Doctrine – continued / devoted to the power of God’s Word:
Fellowship – sharing he Power of the Gospel
Breaking of Bread – The power of communion
Prayer – (unity) the Power of Prayer
Personal Commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Church and Community
These are the means of grace, essential elements in a believer’s life and growth into maturity - in their relationship with the Lord and his people.
INSTRUCTION / INTIMACY / INSPIRATION / INFLUENCE
V 43 – Impact
V 44 & 45 – Identification (Ownership)
V46 – Daily Walk, Privately, Corporately
Gathering - Temple & Home
V47 – Worshipping, Outreaching, Evangelising, Growing, Soul Winning
Participation
They got involved with evangelistic activities and formed opportunities to witness – The Church grew daily.
· Prayer
· Worship
· Exhortation
· Instruction
· Encouragement
· Fellowship
· Caring
· Growth
Services at
9.00am, 10.30am & 5.00pm
Worship & Learning
“Joined to the Vine”
John 15: 1-8
Worship: Craig Blackwood
Speaker: Rodney Duncan
At the 10.30 service Chantelle Wright and Lisa Trist will confess their faith in baptism.
JC’s Kids: Christmas Parade
Preparation
JC’s Explorers: God’s Son, Jesus, is born.
6.30pm Youth Tea -$3 please
Newcomers are welcome
Tuesday 24th Nov 6.00am Prayer Meeting in the Office
Thu 26th Nov 2.00pm BMF in the church hall
Sat 28th Nov 4-6pm Working Bee in the church hall
Sat 6th December Christmas
Parade in Browns Bay
Donations of Christmas treats such as puddings, sweets, nuts, chutneys and other goodies will be gratefully accepted.
