Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: RSS
Do you know what Baptism is? Have you been baptized? Maybe you have been baptized, but you still want to learn more about it. Baptism is something new that Jesus has for you in acts chapter 2.
Audio Podcast
Video Podcast
Hello everyone! Welcome to Redemption Church. We are so glad to be with you. My name is Chris Fluitt and I am glad to be sharing God’s word with you today. Thank you to our growing number of Youtube & podcast subscribers. Please help us by liking and leaving a comment. This helps us reach more people with the important message of God’s love.
We are in the 3rd week of our sermon series All Things New.
All Things New
We have been looking closely at the 2nd chapter of the book of Acts. Jesus brings us new in Acts chapter 2.
In week 1 we talked about hearing and believing the Gospel – the good news that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. Believing this gospel will bring you to ask a question.
Acts 2:37 (NIV2011) When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter answers this question!
Acts 2:38 (NIV2011) Peter replied, “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.
Last week, week 2, we told you about the power of repentance. In repentance we confess our sin and we receive a NEW MIND, NEW DIRECTION, NEW FOCUS, & NEW LORD!
Jesus has more new for you
I want to encourage you to keep walking in the new, but I also need to warn you. The deeper you walk into God’s newness, the more you will start to hear discouraging voices saying “You don’t have to do that.”
You will actually hear fellow Christians tell you that “you don’t have to do that” or “that’s just optional and not necessary.” This is the case with our subject of baptism.
Baptism
Baptism has long been a subject that has brought division within the Church of Jesus Christ.
How are you to be baptized?
- Submerged or sprinkled?
- Baptized into the titles father, son, and holy ghost, or in the name of Jesus?
- Infant baptism?
Why are you to be baptized?
- To join a church membership?
- To declare your faith outwardly?
- To wash your sins away?
Is baptism even necessary?
These are just some of the questions that the subject of baptism brings up. These disagreements have caused many people to not walk in the new. So let’s look to the Word of God.
In Acts 2:37 the believers asked what they needed to do. Peter answered in the next verse.
Acts 2:38 (NIV2011) Peter replied, “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.
Peter said repent and what?
Be Baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of your sins
It says be baptized. So let me ask you Bible scholars. Based on this text do you think Peter expected them to be baptized?
It is so silly to have arguments over baptism. It should be obvious that we are to be baptized… that baptism is part of the NEW Jesus has for us.
So wait… What is baptism? The Greek word is Baptizo and it means TO CLEAN BY DIPPING OR SUBMERGING.
So who should be baptized? EVERY ONE OF YOU!
Baptism is not limited by position, gender, or race. EVERY ONE should be baptized.
Acts 8:36 (KJV) And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what hinders me to be baptized?
Acts 8:37 (KJV) And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Peter says to be baptized, cleaned in the water… and this new thing is for Every one! If you believe with all your heart you can receive the newness of baptism.
We have a lot more to talk about, but right now I want to ask you. Do you believe? And if so, have you been baptized?
Peter goes on to say “in the name of Jesus Christ.”
- Who is our savior?
- Who is the son of God?
- Who gave His life on the cross?
- Who walked on the water, feed the multitude, raised the dead, healed the sick, defeated death hell & the grave, and rose again on the 3rd day?
Baptism in Jesus name is a celebration of Jesus Christ!
Baptism in Jesus name is a public declaration of who Your Lord is!
Baptism in Jesus name is belonging to the savior.
How does Andy show ownership of his belongings?
In the movie toy story the toys all belonged to a child. How did they know they belonged to the child? They belonged to child because name of the child was written upon them. Under Woody and Buzz light-year’s foot was the name Andy.
In this same way, when you are baptized in the name of Jesus, the Lord is writing His name upon you! You now belong to Him!
In Revelation 22 it says that we will be face to face with the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Look at this…
Revelation 22:4 (NIV2011) They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Jesus puts his name upon you. Has He placed His name upon you? Do you want to be baptized in Jesus name?
Just like when you are born your parents put your name on you, when you are born again Jesus, the everlasting father (Isaiah 9:6), places His name upon you. Belonging to a family requires you take on the family name.
Be Baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of your sins
Peter said to be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus. Some will tell you… you don’t have to do that. But Peter is telling you to step into the new and step into the name of Jesus!Some will say it is no big deal. Sorry the name of Jesus is a big deal!
Watch what Peter says about Jesus’ name in Acts 4:12
Acts 4:12 (NIV2011) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Do you believe the name of Jesus is the only saving name?
Some will tell you to pray in Jesus name, but then turn around and condemn you for praying in Jesus name. Oh yes it is true. When Redemption was looking for a place to rent one pastor refused to rent to us because we baptized in the name of Jesus… He thought we should baptize another way… Sorry Bro, scripture is clear.
Colossians 3:17 (NIV2011) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Do it all in the name!
Philippians 2:9 (NIV2011) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Philippians 2:10 (NIV2011) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Philippians 2:11 (NIV2011) and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Look back at verse 10… Does it say…?
…at the voice of Jesus? No. You can’t bear his voice… you can’t speak his voice.
…at the face of Jesus? No. You can’t bear his image and reveal his face.
If it were anything else you couldn’t present it…
…at the social security number of Jesus?
…at the instagram profile of Jesus?
…at the clothes of Jesus?
You can’t present any of these things…. BUT IT SAYS AT THE NAME OF JESUS! You can present His name. You can speak His name. And in
Be Baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of your sins
In order for the people to walk in the new, Peter commands the crowd
We talked about
Last week we said that Hamartia means to fall short of God’s will and glory. We also said that repentance is when you confess your sin and turn to God, and that he is willing and faithful to forgive you. In order for us to be forgiven, Peter commands us to be Baptized.
Some will tell you… “no you don’t need to step into that baptism. You already repented and that is all you need to do.” The deeper you step into new the more voices will speak out for you to stop… But God is calling you into the new.
Peter says “for the remission of sins” and this is not out of step with the rest of scripture.
Ananias tells Paul this in Acts 22:16
Acts 22:16 (NIV2011) And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
And Peter reiterates this notion in 1 Peter 3:20-21.
1 Peter 3:20 (NIV2011) to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
They were saved by going through the water. Is that what it says?
1 Peter 3:21 (NIV2011) and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
The water of the flood that washed away the sin of the world points us symbolically to the water of baptism that “saves you also.”
Peter goes on to tell us that baptism is not taking a bath. He says “NOT THE REMOVAL OF DIRT FROM THE BODY.” Instead Baptism clears your conscience toward God. Baptism does something on the inside of you.
Baptism is not just an outward sign. Baptism is also a spiritual inward work.
Have you been baptized? If not, I want you to be baptized. I want you to step into the new! Make up your mind right now to be baptized.
Have you ever been baptized? Do you feel as if someone else made that decision for you? Maybe you didn’t understand the significance of baptism. Do you want to be baptized?
Pull out you phone and send a message to our anonymous textline at 469-467-8111.
Death Burial Resurrection
You believe the gospel good news of Jesus. And then you live out that gospel good news.
The gospel is the death, burial, & resurrection. And our response to believing the gospel is repentance, baptism, and the Spirit infilling.
Repentance is a DEATH to sin. (Romans 6:2)
Romans 6:2 (NIV2011) By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Baptism is a BURIAL.
Romans 6:4 (NIV2011) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
And the Spirit infilling is your resurrection. It is that resurrected new life you receive by the Spirit.
Through the gospel, you don’t just receive a new thing… you receive a new life. Are you experiencing this new life? Jesus is waiting to give it to you here today. Let’s talk to Jesus.
Skipping God’s new is not an option