Sermon Central
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Why Should I Be Baptized?
Contributed by Warren Curry on Sep 21, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: I guess my dad summed it up pretty simply. In fact, I was taken back at his statement. He said,“You know how I would answer that question, why I should be baptized? Because the Bible says to do it.”
Why Should I Be Baptized?
Introduction:
Last week we took a look at several facts concerning Biblical baptism. Just a recap:
The Authority = In the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit
The Method = 5 requirements
o Water
o Much water
o Going to the water
o Going down into the water
o Coming up out of the water
The Symbolism
o Death & Burial & Resurrection
The Language (Greek)
o Baptizo – dip, dunk, plunge, immerse
o Rantizo – to sprinkle
o Eckheo – to pour out
Finally the person to be baptized
o Believer in Christ
o Penitent Believer
o Confession with your mouth
Again, I know there are several of you who still have some questions about this. Some of the things you heard last week may have struck a cord and you’re trying to take in all this new info. I understand, it is difficult for some to process something like this when you have believed a certain way all your life. But as I said last week, don’t just take my word for it, look at the passages of Scripture we have used and will be using today. Make some notes and then go examine them for yourselves. Take God at His Word. He is the ultimate source of truth.
Well, since we have been over the facts of baptism, today I am going to give you a few reasons as an answer to the question, Why should I be baptized? This is another crucial question going through many minds and hearts right now.
So sit back, and let’s examine the answers to this question together.
Why Should I Be Baptized?
1. For the forgiveness of your sins:
Baptism is a form of spiritual cleansing. Ritual washings took place in the Jewish culture and people were very familiar with them. Some saw baptism in the same way, but it has an even deeper meaning than just a washing.
Ac 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Ac 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
Col 2:14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
2. It appears to be the first response people give after placing faith in Jesus as Lord & Savior.
Ac 16:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.
Ac 16:14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
Ac 16:15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home
Ac 16:26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.
Ac 16:27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.
Ac 16:28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
Ac 16:29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
Ac 16:30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Ac 16:31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Ac 16:32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
Ac 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Ac 16:34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
Ac 8:34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”
Ac 8:35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
