Faith and Baptism: Understanding Salvation's True Order

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation as a Multifaceted Journey

Salvation in the New Testament is a rich and multifaceted concept, encompassing past, present, and future dimensions. The decisive moment of justification, when God counts us as His children, occurs through faith alone, not through any ritual or work. This moment is not a process like sanctification but a definitive act where God fully embraces us by His grace. Understanding salvation in this way helps us appreciate the depth of God's love and the assurance of our standing with Him. [01:45]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Consider the different aspects of your spiritual journey. How can you embrace the fullness of salvation as both a past event and a present reality in your life today?

Day 2: Justification by Faith Alone

Justification by faith is a central biblical doctrine, affirming that faith is the sole instrument of our union with Christ. Romans 3:28 and 5:1 emphasize that we are justified by faith apart from works, making God entirely for us. Baptism, while significant, is an outward expression of this inward reality. This understanding liberates us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and allows us to rest in His grace. [04:32]

Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Reflection: Reflect on areas where you might be relying on your own efforts to earn God's approval. How can you shift your focus to trust more fully in Christ's finished work?

Day 3: The Thief on the Cross and the Necessity of Faith

The story of the thief on the cross illustrates that baptism is not an absolute necessity for salvation. His promise of paradise without baptism shows that faith is the key to being united with Christ. This example underscores the sufficiency of faith for salvation and challenges us to trust in God's grace rather than external rituals. [05:34]

Luke 23:42-43 (ESV): "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.'"

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How does the story of the thief on the cross encourage you to trust in the sufficiency of faith for your salvation?

Day 4: Baptism as a Sign of Faith

Baptism is a sign of faith, not the means of salvation. Colossians 2:11-12 and Romans 4:11 use circumcision as an analogy, showing that these acts are signs of righteousness obtained by faith. Baptism symbolizes the believer's burial and resurrection with Christ, but it is through faith that we are united with Him. This understanding helps us see baptism as a significant act of obedience and public declaration of faith. [08:28]

Colossians 2:11-12 (ESV): "In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 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 your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does viewing it as a sign of faith rather than a means of salvation change your perspective on its significance?

Day 5: Faith Precedes Baptism

Acts 22:16 and 1 Peter 3:21 clarify that baptism is an expression of faith, not the agent of justification. The act of calling on the Lord in faith is what cleanses and unites us with Christ. Baptism follows as a public testimony of that inward transformation. This understanding aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes faith as the key to salvation, with baptism as an important, yet secondary, expression of that faith. [09:33]

Acts 22:16 (ESV): "And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name."

Reflection: Consider your own journey of faith. How can you use your story of faith and baptism to encourage others in their spiritual walk today?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Acts 2:38 and related scriptures, we delved into the profound question of when salvation occurs in relation to baptism. The New Testament uses the term "saved" in various contexts—before, during, and after baptism—highlighting the multifaceted nature of salvation. The core inquiry is about the moment of union with Christ and justification, which is not a process like sanctification but a decisive act. This moment is when God counts us as His children, no longer under wrath but fully embraced by His grace.

Scripture consistently teaches that justification is by faith alone. Romans 3:28 and 5:1 affirm that we are justified by faith apart from works. This faith is the sole instrument through which we are united with Christ, and it is at this point that God becomes entirely for us. Baptism, then, is an outward expression of this inward faith. The thief on the cross, who was promised paradise without baptism, exemplifies that baptism is not an absolute necessity for salvation.

Paul's writings, particularly in Colossians 2:11-12, illustrate that baptism is a sign of faith, not the means of salvation. It symbolizes the believer's burial and resurrection with Christ, but it is through faith that we are united with Him. Similarly, Romans 4:11 uses circumcision as an analogy, showing that it was a sign of righteousness obtained by faith before the act itself.

Acts 22:16 and 1 Peter 3:21 further clarify that baptism is an expression of faith, not the agent of justification. The act of calling on the Lord in faith is what cleanses and unites us with Christ. Baptism is a significant act of obedience and public declaration of faith, but it is not causative in the same way repentance and faith are.

Ultimately, faith precedes baptism. We are justified at the first genuine act of saving faith, and baptism follows as a public testimony of that inward transformation. This understanding aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes faith as the key to salvation, with baptism as an important, yet secondary, expression of that faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Salvation is a multifaceted concept in the New Testament, encompassing past, present, and future aspects. The decisive moment of justification, when God counts us as His children, occurs through faith alone, not through any ritual or work. [01:45]
2. Justification by faith is a central biblical doctrine. Scriptures like Romans 3:28 and 5:1 affirm that faith is the sole instrument of our union with Christ, making God 100% for us. Baptism is an outward expression of this inward reality. [04:32]
3. The thief on the cross illustrates that baptism is not an absolute necessity for salvation. His promise of paradise without baptism shows that faith is the key to being united with Christ. [05:34]
4. Baptism is a sign of faith, not the means of salvation. Colossians 2:11-12 and Romans 4:11 use circumcision as an analogy, showing that these acts are signs of righteousness obtained by faith. [08:28]
5. Acts 22:16 and 1 Peter 3:21 clarify that baptism is an expression of faith, not the agent of justification. The act of calling on the Lord in faith is what cleanses and unites us with Christ. [09:33]
** [09:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to Acts 2:38
[00:42] - Question of Salvation and Baptism
[01:21] - Understanding "Saved" in the New Testament
[02:06] - The Moment of Justification
[03:13] - Justification by Faith Alone
[04:32] - Faith as the Instrument of Union with Christ
[05:18] - The Thief on the Cross and Baptism
[06:15] - Baptism as an Expression of Faith
[07:31] - Analogy of Circumcision and Baptism
[08:47] - Acts 22:16 and Baptism
[09:52] - 1 Peter 3:21 and Baptism
[11:02] - Baptism as an Appeal to God
[12:16] - Repentance and Baptism in Acts 2:38
[14:24] - Conclusion: Faith Precedes Baptism

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Acts 2:38
Romans 3:28
Colossians 2:11-12

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Observation Questions:

In Acts 2:38, what are the two actions Peter instructs the people to take, and what is promised as a result? [00:15]
According to Romans 3:28, what is the basis for justification, and how does this relate to the concept of works? [03:13]
How does Colossians 2:11-12 describe the relationship between baptism and faith? What imagery is used to explain this relationship? [06:44]
What example from the sermon illustrates that baptism is not an absolute necessity for salvation? [05:34]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the multifaceted nature of salvation in the New Testament, and what implications does this have for understanding the timing of justification? [01:21]
In what way does the sermon suggest that baptism serves as an expression of faith rather than a means of salvation? How does this align with the analogy of circumcision in Romans 4:11? [08:28]
How does the sermon interpret the phrase "wash away your sins" in Acts 22:16, and what role does faith play in this interpretation? [09:08]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between repentance, faith, and baptism in the process of salvation? [12:16]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own experience of faith and baptism. How did your understanding of their relationship align with or differ from the sermon’s explanation? [14:24]
The sermon emphasizes that faith precedes baptism. How does this understanding impact your view of baptism as a public declaration of faith? [14:24]
Consider the example of the thief on the cross. How does this story challenge or affirm your beliefs about the necessity of baptism for salvation? [05:34]
How can you ensure that your faith is the central focus of your spiritual journey, rather than the rituals or outward expressions of that faith? [04:32]
The sermon discusses the importance of calling on the Lord in faith. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a deeper reliance on faith in your daily life? [09:33]
How does the analogy of circumcision as a sign of righteousness obtained by faith influence your understanding of baptism as a sign of faith? [08:28]
In what ways can you share the significance of baptism as an expression of faith with others who may have questions about its role in salvation? [06:15]

Sermon Clips

I would first answer by making the question more precise because the quite the way I'd posed the question is are we justified before in or after are we united to Christ do we become one with Christ and God becomes one over set for us before in or after baptism because in the New Testament the word saved is used for what happens before in and after baptism. [00:50:34]

So the word salvation in the new testament is broad and includes pieces of salvation and what's really being asked is when did it all start the first moment of union with Christ the moment of justification which is not a process like sanctification is but decisive if God is for us who can be against us when did that start at what point does God count us a child not a child of wrath which we all are by nature. [00:109:57]

Romans 3:28 we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law Romans 5:1 therefore since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God Romans 4:5 to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly his faith is counted as righteousness. [00:197:06]

Justification being put right with God by union with Christ in the divine miracle of conversion a new birth that point is by faith and faith alone on our part God uses faith as the sole instrument of union with Christ and thus counts us righteous and becomes 100% for us in the instant that we have faith in Jesus that's my answer. [00:267:43]

The thief on the cross was told by Jesus that that very day he would be with him in paradise he was not baptized and therefore though I know he's a special case I don't think you build a theology of baptism on the thief on the cross but one thing one thing it says is baptism is not an absolute necessity because it wasn't in his case. [00:323:51]

Paul treats baptism as an expression of faith so that the decisive act that unites us to Christ is the faith and it is expressed outwardly in baptism here's here's a very key text frame because you know when I went to Germany how is a lone Baptist you know in a bit of of Lutheran lines and they were loving lines they just licked me they didn't they didn't eat me but they did not approve of what I believed. [00:353:55]

In him in Christ also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands by putting off the body of flesh by the circumcision of Christ having been buried with him in Baptism in which you were also raised with him through faith you were buried with him and raised with him in Baptism through faith in the powerful working of God who raised him from the dead. [00:404:50]

The burial with Christ in the water and the rising with Christ out of the water it seems to me from that text are not what unites you to Christ that is the going under the water the coming up out of the water that's not what unites you to Christ it is through faith that you are decisively united to Christ. [00:440:50]

Acts 22:16 rise and be baptized and wash away your sins now if you stopped right there you say well there it is you know the water is the forgiving agent but that's not where you stop it says rise being baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name so the sense I think is the same baptism is the outward expression of calling on the name of the Lord in faith. [00:537:52]

Baptism which corresponds to this now saves you that's probably the most clear text for those who want to say that baptism is salvific it actually does the saving it says baptism saves you and then immediately as though he knows he said something almost a radical because it was so compromised justification by faith he says not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal. [00:617:05]

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 so it looks like repent condition number one be baptized condition number two and forgiveness will be given to you and I've been arguing because I think so many texts teach it that no repentance and faith as one piece are what obtains forgiveness not the baptism. [00:717:10]

Faith precedes baptism and is operative in baptism so we are a justified at the very first act of genuine saving faith in Christ and then baptism follows and preferably would follow soon as an outward expression of that inward reality. [00:856:57]

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Faith and Baptism: Understanding Salvation's True Order

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation as a Multifaceted Journey

Day 2: Justification by Faith Alone

Day 3: The Thief on the Cross and the Necessity of Faith

Day 4: Baptism as a Sign of Faith

Day 5: Faith Precedes Baptism

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Faith and Baptism: Understanding Salvation's True Order

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