WHY YOU MUST BE BAPTIZED (2)
April 8, 2001 AM
Sermon Outline
Acts 22:12-16
INTRO: Last Lords day morning we took the entire lesson time to lay the Biblical groundwork for this mornings thoughts. The problem is sin; Gods desire that none should perish; the role of scripture; the necessity of obedient faith, the necessity of real repentance which turns a person away from His self-will to Gods will were all part of those introductory thoughts. This morning, then, we are going to examine the why of New Testament baptism ... especially in view of the fact that so many do not see it as essential to salvation.
I. YOU MUST BE BAPTIZED ...
A. In order for your sins to be remitted
1. remember, without Gods redemption you are dead
2. Acts 2:37,38 repent + baptize = remission
3. as essential as repentance is, is baptism!
4. the idea that baptism is a symbol of remission already granted at the point one believes would have God remitting the sins of impenitent people!
5. so, if you desire remission of sins, you must be baptized
B. In order for your sins to be washed away
1. Acts 22:16
2. we note, too, Rev 1:5b ... washed us ... in His own blood
3. the washing away of sins is possibly only because of the cleansing power of Jesus blood
4. to effect this cleansing, God chose baptism as the place at which the cleansing agent is applied
5. so, if you desire to have your sins washed away, you must be baptized
C. In order to be alive again
1. Col 2:12,13
2. I mentioned last Lords day the need for belief that God could/would do as promised ... faith of the operation of God
3. v.13 is a beautiful commentary on v.12"
4. dead in sins; buried in baptism; made alive again with Jesus; raised with Him ... forgiven of all trespasses
5. if you desire to have no fear of the second death, you must be baptized (ie, partake of the first resurrection)
D. In order to receive benefits of Jesus death
1. Rom 6:3-6
2. we hear so much about the cross of Jesus - and should
3. but the question this passage answers is one most are not asking - where, how do I gain the benefits of His sacrifice
4. clearly, baptism is into His death - in uniting with His death the sacrifice becomes ours ... and we are raised to walk in newness of life
5. if you desire the benefits of the cross, you must be baptized
E. In order to be in Christ
1. Gal 3:26,27
2. most would agree we cannot be saved out of Christ!
3. this text clearly places baptism as point of entry
4. consider: if we are not in Christ, we are still in the world ... question of how one enters should be so important to you
5. if you desire to be in Christ, you must be baptized
F. In order to be saved
1. 1 Pet 3:21 with Mk 16:16
2. does baptism have anything to do with eternal salvation? if scripture means what it says, if words have meaning, then, the answer is, absolutely, yes
3. as necessary as faith and repentance are, so is baptism
4. if you desire to be saved, you must be baptized
CLOSE: Acts 8:35-37 with Rom 10:10b. Just prior to this mans baptism, the preacher sought a critical piece of information - did he believe? Upon hearing his confession of belief, the preacher baptized the man. Do you need to confess your faith and be baptized in to Christ today?
Cecil A. Hutson
08 April 2001