July 20, 2008
Morning Service

We are studying in the book of I Cor., however, Kristi Lee let it be known last Sunday that she wanted to be baptized today, and we say praise the Lord for Kristi.  So with this in mind, we are going to speak concerning baptism today.

           God gives us what we need, when we need it, as far as spiritual food.  We will soon come to the teaching of baptism, and communion in our study of I Cor.  It could be that there is someone else that has been putting off baptism, and would like to get it done today.

           We will be going down to Liberty Baptist church today at 4:30 to do the baptizing, if you have been considering this very important step in your walk with God, I would encourage you to do it today.

 

There are certain scriptures that we need to remember, and as long as I preach, I will remind you of them.

1.       Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

2.       Rom 10:17  Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  

3.      2Ti 3:16 KJVR  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

We must build our faith in God by hearing, and studying the Bible.  With that said let’s look at what the Bible says concerning baptism.

 

·         THERE IS SOMUCH WONDERFUL, REVEALED TRUTH THAT TIME FAILS US RIGHT NOW TO COVER IT ALL, BUT GOD WILLING, AT SOME TIME IN OUR STUDIES WE WILL COVER IT ALL.

·         WHEN YOU STUDY THE BIBLE YOU WILL FIND THAT JESUS OF NAZARETH IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD.  THE MESSIAH THAT WAS TO COME AND SAVE ISRAEL FROM THEIR SINS.  AND WE PRAISE GOD THAT HIS PLAN WAS ALSO TO INCLUDE GENTILES OF WHOM WE ARE. 

·         THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL BE ASK TO CONFESS AT THE WATERS OF BAPTISM.           QUESTION “DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD?” 

ANS:  “YES I DO.”

BAPTIZER’S REPLY: “UPON YOUR CONFESSION OF FAITH, I NOW BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST.”

 

NOW LET’S BUILD OUR FAITH:

1. JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD:  Mat 16:13-19 KJVR  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  (14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.  (15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  (16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  (17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  (18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
2. PETER USES THE KEYS, OR AUTHORITY GIVEN TO HIM BY JESUS: 
• FIRST ON THE FIRST PENTECOST AFTER THE D.B.R. OF JESUS.  ACTS 2:38;  PETER OPENS THE DOOR TO SALVATION FOR THE JEWS AT THIS TIME. 

Act 2:38-42 KJVR  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

NOTICE: IT IS A COMMAND TO REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED.  FROM ONE WHO HAS THE AUTHORITY. 

TO REPENT, IS TO TURN FROM THE WAY THAT THEY HAD BEEN LIVING, WHICH FOR US TODAY, WOULD BE TO TURN FROM LIVING LIKE THE WORLD LIVES, AND FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS.  THERE IS A REWARDING DIFFERENCE.

TO BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, WHICH IS ETERNAL LIFE, HIS ABIDING PRESENCE FOREVER.

·         NOW LET’S NOTICE THAT THESE COMMANDS ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEM.  NOT CHILDREN.

·         WHY DO SOME BAPTIZE BABIES?  FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE ADAMIC SIN.  NO SCRIPTURE FOR THIS ACTION.  CAN’T BUILD YOUR FAITH ON THIS PRACTICE.

·         THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT WE ARE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ADAM’S SINS, BUT FOR OUR OWN.  “ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.”

NOW NOTICE:

(40)  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  (41)  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  (42)  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

·         THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH, THE CALLED OUT ONES.  THEY WERE NOT VOTED ON BY THE CONGREGATION, ONLY ONE VOTE MATTERS IN THIS SITUATION.  THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WE KNOW AS THE CALLED OUT ONES OF JESUS CHRIST.  THE CHURCH.

·         HAD YOU NOT REPENTED, OR BEEN BAPTIZED, THE LORD WOULD NOT ADD YOU TOO HIS CALLED OUT ONE, THE CHURCH.

 

THE SECOND TIME PETER USES THE KEYS, OR AUTHORITY IS AT THE HOUSEHOLD OF CORNELIUS A GENTILE SOLDIER:  ACTS 10.

TELL THE STORY:  Act 10:47-48 KJVR  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  (48)  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

• PETER PREACHES SALVATION TO THE JEWS IN CHAPTER TWO, AND TO THE GENTILES IN CHAPTER 10.
• THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES, SAUL OF TARSUS, WHO LATER IS CALLED PAUL, IS CONVERTED, AND CALLED IN CHAPTER NINE OF ACTS.

 

THERE ARE MANY FAITH BUILDING EXAMPLES IN THE BOOK OF ACTS, AND THEY ALL CONSIST OF REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, BAPTISM, LIVING FOR GOD.

 

SO WHAT CAN WE CONCLUDE?

1. WE MUST BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE INFALLABLE WORD OF GOD.
2. THAT BY FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLES GIVEN TO US IN THE WORD, WE WILL BE ADDED TO THE LORD’S CHURCH, HIS BODY, AND SAVED FROM THE WRATH OF GOD THAT IS COMING ON THIS WORLD OF UNGODLINESS.

 

JESUS SAID:

Mat 28:18-20 KJVR  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

THIS SHOULD BE THE CHURCH’S PURPOSE TILL THE LORD RETURNS FOR HIS PEOPLE.