THE BAPTISM | Pastor Aubrey Kishna

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience to the Command: Going Under, Rising in Authority

Water baptism isn’t a spiritual suggestion or a “maybe later” decision. Jesus’ final words before ascending to heaven linked baptism to making disciples. To follow Him means to obey Him completely, not selectively. Baptism declares allegiance to His authority over every nation, relationship, and hidden corner of our lives. It’s the first yes that shapes all other yeses. [03:44]

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you treated obedience to Jesus as optional rather than urgent? What step of surrender does His command over your life require today?

Day 2: Buried with Him, Raised to New Life: The Baptismal Exchange

Going under the water isn’t just a ritual. It’s a funeral for the old you. When you rise, you’re breathing the air of resurrection power. Baptism shouts that sin’s grip is broken and death’s threat is empty. The water doesn’t magically change you. It’s the bold declaration that Christ’s victory is now your story. [04:33]

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
(Romans 6:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What part of your “old self” still needs to be buried? What does walking in “newness of life” look like practically this week?

Day 3: No Private Faith: Why Water Demands a Witness

The Ethiopian official didn’t ask for a discreet sprinkling. He saw desert water and said, “What stops me?” Baptism isn’t a whispered prayer. It’s a splashy, unashamed announcement. Submersion says, “I’m all in,” not “I’m kinda interested.” Your faith was meant to be seen, not hidden under religious politeness. [28:52]

“And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
(Acts 8:36-38, ESV)

Reflection: Who needs to see your faith in action, not just hear about it? What fear keeps you from living Christianity “loudly”?

Day 4: The Ring, Not the Vows: What Baptism Doesn’t Do

A wedding ring doesn’t create a marriage. It reveals one. Baptism is the ring, not the vows. The thief on the cross proved salvation needs no water. But if you’re married to Christ, why hide the ring? Baptism won’t save you, but it sure confuses people when you claim Christ yet refuse to wear His “I belong” sign. [24:12]

“And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
(Luke 23:42-43, ESV)

Reflection: Are you relying on religious acts instead of Christ’s finished work? How does your life visibly “wear the ring” of allegiance to Jesus?

Day 5: No Delay in the Desert: Obedience Without Excuses

The Ethiopian didn’t wait for a synagogue, a priest, or a better moment. He saw water and acted. Delayed obedience is disobedience dressed in spiritual excuses. Baptism isn’t about perfect understanding. It’s about trusting the One who said, “Go under.” Your moment is now. The desert has enough water. [29:24]

“And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
(Acts 8:37-38, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual step have you been rationalizing away? What’s stopping you from acting on what you already know to obey?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 28 sends the church with a clear word from Jesus: go, make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything he commanded. Romans 6 then shows what that obedience pictures, because baptism identifies a believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, so that those buried with him through baptism are raised to walk in newness of life. The command of Christ stands first. Jesus does not offer an option or a suggestion. He orders his people to be baptized, and love for Jesus answers, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” The text speaks in red, and the church responds in water.

Water baptism itself carries a shape. The Greek baptizo means to immerse or dip, not sprinkle. Jesus went down into much water and came up out of it, and the Ethiopian eunuch said, “See, here is much water.” Sprinkling arose as an accommodation for the sick, not as the pattern. The pattern is burial under water and rising again, which means baptism is a visible sermon of past, present, and future: the old life buried, a cleansed present, and a resurrection future. The wedding ring image helps: a ring does not make a marriage, but it tells the world, “He’s taken.” In the same way, baptism does not save, but it says publicly, “I belong to Jesus.”

Repentance and faith precede the water. Babies cannot repent and believe, so baptism belongs to those who can confess Christ. Children are welcomed when they truly understand the gospel, because the act should mean something to the person. The Ethiopian eunuch models the right urgency: once he believed, he did not wait to travel home or enroll in a class. He saw water and asked, “What hinders me?” Only sin could have hindered him, and Jesus had already washed that away.

Salvation is personal but never private. There is no “low down” Christian hiding the light. Baptism is a public declaration that says, “I am not ashamed of Jesus Christ.” The water itself has no power, whether hot, cold, pink, or blue; the Spirit brings the washing of regeneration. The thief on the cross proves the point: Jesus promised paradise without a trip to the river. So baptism follows belief. Without faith, a person goes down a dry sinner and comes up a wet sinner. With faith, a believer goes down identifying with Christ and rises to walk in newness of life, eager to let the world know, “I belong to him.”

Key Takeaways

1. Baptism is Christ’s direct command [17:10] Jesus orders his church to baptize, and love for Jesus answers with obedience. The Great Commission does not leave room for “I’ll pray about it” when the command is clear. Obedience in the water becomes the first public “yes” to the Lord’s lordship. [17:10]
2. Baptism identifies with Jesus’ death and life [22:01] Romans 6 ties the believer’s story to Jesus’ story, burying the old self and raising a new life. Going under pictures the tomb; rising pictures resurrection power. The act becomes a line in the sand where the believer says, “That old life is gone. I’m walking in newness.” [22:01]
3. Salvation is personal, never private [26:38] Faith belongs in the heart but refuses to stay hidden. Baptism brings the inner confession to the shoreline, letting light shine where others can see and glorify God. A secret disciple is a contradiction, because grace goes public. [26:38]
4. The water does not save, Jesus does [31:02] The thief in paradise received mercy without stepping into a river, proving salvation is by faith. Without faith, a person only gets wet; with faith, baptism becomes a witness. The water is symbolic, while the Spirit does the washing of regeneration. [31:02]
5. Repentance precedes the water, not infants [12:24] Scripture links “repent and be baptized,” which infants cannot do. Children may be baptized when they truly grasp the gospel and desire to follow Jesus. The goal is a meaningful act of obedience, not a pressured ritual. [12:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:18] - Scripture: Matthew 28 and Romans 6
[04:56] - Prayer for the Word
[05:45] - The importance of water baptism
[06:20] - Two ordinances: communion and baptism
[09:11] - Baptizo means immerse, not sprinkle
[10:37] - Why sprinkling started historically
[11:47] - Baptism as public testimony
[12:24] - Why not baptize babies; discerning children
[16:52] - Four reasons baptism matters
[17:10] - Reason 1: Commanded by Christ
[21:22] - Reason 2: Identifies with Jesus
[26:38] - Reason 3: Public declaration of faith
[31:02] - Reason 4: Baptism does not save
[33:09] - Believe, then follow into baptism

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
- Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
- Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Observation Questions

What two specific actions does Jesus command in Matthew 28:19-20, and how are they connected?
According to Romans 6:3-4, what does baptism symbolize about a believer’s relationship with Jesus’ death and resurrection?
In the sermon, the Ethiopian eunuch’s response to hearing the gospel was immediate: “What hinders me?” ([28:52]). What does his urgency teach about the relationship between faith and baptism?
How does the analogy of a wedding ring ([24:12]) clarify the purpose of baptism?

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus link baptism so closely with discipleship and obedience in Matthew 28:19-20? What does this imply about baptism’s role in a believer’s life?
Romans 6:3-4 describes baptism as a burial and resurrection. How does immersion (rather than sprinkling) visually reinforce this symbolism?
The sermon argues that infants should not be baptized because they cannot repent or believe ([12:24]). How does this align with the biblical pattern of “repent and be baptized” (e.g., Acts 2:38)?
If baptism doesn’t save ([23:51]), why is it still a non-negotiable act of obedience for believers?

Application Questions

Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 is clear, not optional. If you haven’t been baptized, what hesitations or questions do you need to address to obey this command? If you have, how did baptism strengthen your commitment to follow Jesus?
Baptism publicly declares, “I belong to Jesus.” In what other areas of your life do you struggle to make your faith visible? How can you “let your light shine” more boldly?
The Ethiopian eunuch didn’t delay baptism once he believed ([28:52]). Are there areas where you’ve delayed obedience to God’s commands, waiting for a “better time”? What step can you take this week to act on what you already know?
The wedding ring analogy ([24:12]) shows baptism is a sign of belonging. How would you explain the meaning of baptism to a friend who thinks it’s just a ritual?
Romans 6:4 says baptism points to “walking in newness of life.” What old habits, attitudes, or patterns do you need to leave “buried” so your daily life reflects resurrection power?

Sermon Clips

41s

“Why do I need to get water baptized? Number one, water baptism, first of all, it's important because it's what? Commanded by Christ. We read the scripture. The Bible said, Jesus said, go into all the world and do what? Preach the gospel, baptizing them in the name of the father, in the name of son, in the name of the holy spirit. It's a direct command by God. The Bible tells us that when Jesus set that example himself, he didn't have to do it, but he set the example himself when he went into the waters and he was baptized by John the Baptist.”

44s

“He was wealthy, and he was on his way heading somewhere. And Philip joined matter of fact, the holy spirit told Philip, go join yourself to the chariot. Philip joined the chariot. And there Philip now is next to him. Say, hey. You do you understand what you're reading? He said, man, I don't know what I'm reading really. I just need someone to guide me. Philip explained the scriptures to him. And here's what he said. Very interesting. When he was when he realized and his eyes were open to who Jesus is, he said, hey. There's a whole lot of water here. What is hindering me from being baptized?”

42s

“It's saying to the world when you come out of that water, hey, Jesus Christ has set me free. I am dead to the world. I am dead to sin. I'm dead to the things of this world. And when I come up now, oh, it's saying that Jesus saved me. He set me free. Oh, somebody ought to get excited today. me say this quickly, and I'll come to this in a moment, but just in passing here real quick. Baptism doesn't save you. It's only belief in what? Jesus Christ that will save you. Not anymore.”

78s

“What baptism is doing I took my wedding ring off to show you. It's like a wedding ring that I have here. This wedding ring doesn't make me married. Do you know that? Hello? But what this wedding ring does, it is telling the world that what? Hello? Help me preach. That I'm married. When I go into Publix around the corner, Walmart, All the single ladies. All the single ladies. he's off shelf. He's taken. All it's doing is identity. All peep it's showing the world, guess what? I belong to somebody else. Hello? Don't touch him. He's off the shelf.”

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THE BAPTISM | Pastor Aubrey Kishna

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience to the Command: Going Under, Rising in Authority

Day 2: Buried with Him, Raised to New Life: The Baptismal Exchange

Day 3: No Private Faith: Why Water Demands a Witness

Day 4: The Ring, Not the Vows: What Baptism Doesn’t Do

Day 5: No Delay in the Desert: Obedience Without Excuses

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

THE BAPTISM | Pastor Aubrey Kishna

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