Celebrating Baptism: A Public Declaration of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today was a special day at First Baptist Church, Palestine, as we celebrated the baptism of four individuals, each baptized by a different family member. This unique event highlighted the importance of family and community in our spiritual journeys. Baptism is a public declaration of faith, symbolizing the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is an act of obedience that follows conversion and serves as a testimony to others of the transformative power of the gospel.
We delved into Romans 6:1-4, where Paul addresses the concept of grace and its implications for our lives. Grace is not a license to continue in sin but a call to live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ. Baptism is a powerful illustration of this transformation, showing that we have died to sin and are now walking in newness of life. It is a command for believers and should be performed by immersion, as it best represents the complete surrender of our lives to Christ.
We also discussed the significance of baptism as a prerequisite for church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper. It is a vital step in our spiritual journey, not to be taken lightly, but approached with a heart of obedience and a desire to publicly declare our faith. Whether you are a new believer or have been walking with Christ for years, baptism is a profound way to testify to the world that you belong to Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Baptism as a Public Declaration: Baptism is a public testimony of our faith in Christ. It symbolizes our identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. This act of obedience is crucial for believers as it publicly declares our commitment to follow Jesus and live a life transformed by His grace. [39:01]
2. Grace and Transformation: Grace is not an excuse to continue in sin but a call to live a transformed life. Paul teaches that we are to die to sin and live in the newness of life that Christ offers. This transformation is beautifully illustrated in baptism, where we symbolically die to our old selves and rise to walk in new life. [41:40]
3. Baptism by Immersion: Baptism should be performed by immersion, as it best represents the complete surrender of our lives to Christ. Immersion symbolizes being fully submerged in God's grace and coming out renewed and cleansed. This method aligns with the biblical example set by Jesus and the early church. [51:23]
4. Following Conversion: Baptism is an act that follows genuine conversion. It is not a means of salvation but an outward demonstration of an inward change. Once a person has accepted Christ, baptism should be one of the first steps of obedience, signifying their new life in Him. [52:37]
5. Prerequisite for Church Membership and Communion: Baptism is a prerequisite for church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper. It signifies that a person has publicly declared their faith and is committed to living in accordance with the teachings of Christ. This step is essential for fully integrating into the body of believers. [56:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:17] - Introduction of Baptism Candidates
[17:15] - Testimonies and Family Involvement
[17:52] - Acknowledging Supporters
[34:46] - Worship Through Song
[35:14] - Gratitude for Attendance
[36:25] - New Members and Community Updates
[37:41] - Romans 6:1-4 Reading
[39:01] - Significance of Baptism
[41:40] - Understanding Grace
[43:04] - Baptism into Death and Resurrection
[44:32] - Symbolism of Immersion
[45:55] - Baptism as a Command
[47:19] - Addressing Different Traditions
[48:44] - Baptism and the Holy Spirit
[49:58] - Immersion and Jesus' Example
[51:23] - Peter's Example
[52:37] - Following Conversion
[53:56] - Re-baptism and Authentic Faith
[55:10] - Baptism as a Testimony
[56:59] - Prerequisite for Church Membership
[58:23] - Importance of Baptism for All Ages
[01:00:04] - Encouragement for Immediate Baptism
[01:01:08] - Invitation and Response
[01:02:02] - Altar Call and Prayer
[01:06:37] - New Member Introduction and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 6:1-4
- Matthew 28:19
- Acts 2:38
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 6:1-4, what does Paul say about continuing in sin and grace? How does he describe our relationship to sin after baptism?
2. What does Matthew 28:19 instruct believers to do, and how does it relate to the act of baptism?
3. In Acts 2:38, what does Peter say must happen before receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? How does this relate to the concept of baptism following conversion?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of baptism symbolize a believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection? Why is this symbolism important for a believer's faith journey? [39:01]
2. What does it mean to be "baptized into Christ's death" and "baptized into His resurrection" as described in Romans 6:3-4? How does this affect a believer's daily life and actions? [43:04]
3. Why is baptism by immersion emphasized in the sermon? How does this method best represent the complete surrender of our lives to Christ? [51:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Baptism is described as a public declaration of faith. Have you publicly declared your faith through baptism? If not, what steps can you take to make this declaration? [39:01]
2. Reflect on the concept of grace as a call to live a transformed life. In what areas of your life do you need to embrace this transformation more fully? How can you demonstrate this change in your daily actions? [41:40]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of baptism following genuine conversion. If you have been baptized, how did this act impact your spiritual journey? If you haven't, what might be holding you back from taking this step? [52:37]
4. Baptism is a prerequisite for church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper. How does this requirement affect your view of church membership and community involvement? [56:59]
5. Think about the role of family and community in your spiritual journey. How can you involve your family or close friends in your faith walk, especially in significant acts like baptism? [17:15]
6. The sermon mentions that baptism is an act of obedience. Are there other areas in your life where you feel called to obey God's commands more closely? What steps can you take to align your actions with His will? [45:55]
7. How can you support others in your church community who are considering baptism or have recently been baptized? What practical steps can you take to encourage and walk alongside them in their faith journey? [17:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a Public Declaration
Baptism is a public testimony of our faith in Christ. It symbolizes our identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. This act of obedience is crucial for believers as it publicly declares our commitment to follow Jesus and live a life transformed by His grace. Baptism is not just a ritual but a profound statement of our new identity in Christ. It is a way to show the world that we have died to our old selves and are now living a new life in Him. This public declaration is a powerful testimony to others of the transformative power of the gospel. [39:01]
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."
Reflection: Think about your own baptism or the baptism of someone you know. How did it serve as a public declaration of faith? How can you continue to publicly declare your faith in your daily life?
Day 2: Grace and Transformation
Grace is not an excuse to continue in sin but a call to live a transformed life. Paul teaches that we are to die to sin and live in the newness of life that Christ offers. This transformation is beautifully illustrated in baptism, where we symbolically die to our old selves and rise to walk in new life. Grace empowers us to live differently, to reflect the character of Christ in our actions and attitudes. It is a call to holiness and a life that honors God. Understanding grace in this way helps us to appreciate the depth of God's love and the seriousness of our commitment to Him. [41:40]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace the transforming power of grace? How can you actively live out this transformation today?
Day 3: Baptism by Immersion
Baptism should be performed by immersion, as it best represents the complete surrender of our lives to Christ. Immersion symbolizes being fully submerged in God's grace and coming out renewed and cleansed. This method aligns with the biblical example set by Jesus and the early church. It is a vivid picture of dying to our old life and being raised to new life in Christ. The act of immersion underscores the totality of our commitment and the thoroughness of God's cleansing work in us. It is a powerful reminder of the depth of God's grace and our complete dependence on Him. [51:23]
Colossians 2:12 (ESV): "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Reflection: Reflect on the symbolism of immersion in baptism. How does this imagery deepen your understanding of your commitment to Christ and His work in your life?
Day 4: Following Conversion
Baptism is an act that follows genuine conversion. It is not a means of salvation but an outward demonstration of an inward change. Once a person has accepted Christ, baptism should be one of the first steps of obedience, signifying their new life in Him. This act of obedience is a public affirmation of the believer's faith and a testimony to others of the change that has taken place. It is a way to visibly demonstrate the inward transformation that has occurred through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism serves as a powerful witness to the community of believers and to the world. [52:37]
Acts 2:38 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Reflection: If you have been baptized, reflect on how it followed your conversion. If you have not been baptized, consider what steps you need to take to publicly declare your faith in Christ.
Day 5: Prerequisite for Church Membership and Communion
Baptism is a prerequisite for church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper. It signifies that a person has publicly declared their faith and is committed to living in accordance with the teachings of Christ. This step is essential for fully integrating into the body of believers. Baptism serves as a foundational act of obedience that prepares believers for deeper involvement in the life of the church. It is a way to affirm one's commitment to the community of faith and to participate fully in its practices and sacraments. This public declaration of faith is a vital step in the believer's spiritual journey. [56:59]
1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV): "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: How does your baptism influence your participation in the life of the church? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to your church community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It's just a good time to be part of the kingdom of God and I think it's a particularly good time to be a part of First Baptist Church Palestine. Yesterday we hosted the funeral memorial service for Miss Carmen Davis who was a Palestine teacher and tragically killed in a car wreck a few weeks ago. And it's so so difficult for that family. They, she's been a member of our church for about a year and been coming longer than that and family chose to have the service here and we're so thankful that we were able to host that." [36:25] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What we saw today is these four baptisms, they are a beautiful picture of the gospel, a reflection of what has already taken place in the lives of the believers. We go in as symbolizing that we've gone in as sinners into the water. We come up washed by the water, cleansed, and we are raised up to walk in newness of life." [37:41] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Grace means that God covers the things that we've done. Grace is a wonderful, it's like a big blanket that just covers us. Grace is the most beautiful gift that we receive of having all of our sins covered." [41:40] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Water baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward transformation. It symbolizes a faith in and an identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, leaving sin behind so it no longer has a hold over us." [44:32] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Baptism is for believers. Baptism does not save us, but it should be an early act of obedience of a growing believer. Matthew 28, 19 spells it out pretty clearly. It's an element of this verse we don't often talk about. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. That is one phrase. That is what we are called to do. We as believers are to go and make disciples of all nations." [45:55] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul is addressing the issue of grace here. Many of these, and putting this in context, many of these are first generation New Testament believers that are coming from the Old Testament way of doing things, the sacrifices and those kind of things. And we're deep into the first century here, but some of these are still first century believers, some second century believers. And so Paul is continuing to teach them about grace." [40:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Baptism is, first of all, for believers. Baptism does not save us, but it should be an early act of obedience of a growing believer. Matthew 28, 19 spells it out pretty clearly. It's an element of this verse we don't often talk about. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. That is one phrase. That is what we are called to do. We as believers are to go and make disciples of all nations. Make disciples. disciples encourage people into the kingdom be used by god to share the gospel and and make disciples comma baptizing them once they are growing disciples baptize them in the name of the father son and the holy spirit so it is a a succeeding act following becoming a disciple." [45:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Baptism is a testimony. What those four did up there today is a living testimony and you heard the reaction of some of those who have been praying for them for some time. We have at least one of those or two of those two of those that they're family members and they're family members and they're family members and they're group has been praying for them for two years and they got to see it come to reality today and you could hear it in the whooping and hollering right because we're rejoicing in that." [55:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Baptism is a significant step in our life it should not be entered into lightly. I love to have the conversations with people who are who are having questions about that who want to know more are ready to make that step I love those conversations that helps me get to know that person a little bit better to hear their story whenever someone wants to join the church I love to have a conversation with them first and hear their background here here where god brought them and answer any questions that I love those conversations and baptism is important shouldn't be entered into lightly." [58:23] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Baptism is a prerequisite. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the lord's supper. The church is a body of baptized believers and so we believe that that is an important element of identifying with the church. I believe church membership is a biblical thing we see that and you heard me say this before the book to the colossians the book to the galatians the book to the philippians those are identified as the biblical thing and we see that in the church as individual churches and i guarantee you they were keeping up with one another so i believe church membership is a biblical thing and i believe the the members of the church should be those who are identified with christ and have been scripturally baptized." [56:59] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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