Latest Teachings
Sermon Filter:
Concerning Baptism
- David Brown
- Nov 10, 2010
- Media Links
- Listen
- Download
- Watch Video
- Subscribe
Concerning Baptism
Matthew:3:1-6, 13-17
For nearly 20 centuries, controversy has surrounded Baptism.
-
Immersion, Aspersion or Affusion?
(submerge, sprinkle or pour?)
-
To immerse once or three times?
-
Still water or running water? (living water)
-
Infant baptism or believers baptism
-
Re-baptism for those who switch churches
-
The Baptism formula (Trinity or Jesus' Name)
The greatest controversy is this question...
”Is Baptism essential for salvation?”
Under John the Baptist...baptism was associated with repentance, forgiveness of sins and a new beginning with God.
Under Jesus...baptism had to do with faith, obedience and the fulfilling of righteousness.
In the First Century Church...it was commanded and expected of every new convert. (Acts 2:38)
But...Is it essential for salvation...or as some have suggested...does salvation actually occur in the act of baptism itself?
In Acts 10...Cornelius and his family were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit before and without baptism.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17...Paul wrote, “Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel”.
In 1 Peter 3:21...Peter uses a play on words when he wrote, “Baptism does now save us, not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer (desire, craving) of a good conscience toward God.”
In other words, Baptism rescues our conscience, clears our conscience as it is evidence of our desire of him to give us a good conscience.
Baptism, like confession of Jesus as Lord, is an outward evidence of an inward faith and commitment to God!
Jesus is our Savior! It required his death, burial and resurrection.
Baptism is our confession of identification with him in death, burial and resurrection.