Baptism - Remission or Identification? Romans 6:1-4

New Site at TheGJCOC.com!

Introduction:

1. One of the most hotly contested issues in contemporary Christendom centers on whether or not baptism is for the remission of sins.

2. We commonly find that our religious neighbors teach baptism is to identify with the congregation.

3. But we insist that baptism is for the forgiveness of sin.

4. Who is right? How do we decide?

II. If baptism is for identification answer these questions.

A. Why did Simon Peter answer those looking to be forgiven by telling them to repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:36-38)?

B. Why did the Eunuch request baptism after having Jesus preached to him, even though he was on a lonely road? Why did he rejoice after baptism rather than belief? (Acts 8:35-39)?

C. Why was the jailer immediately baptized at midnight with only his family present (Acts 16:32-33)?

D. Why do we never find baptism deliberately delayed in the New Testament as it often is by denominations today?

E. Why was the repentant, believer Paul told to Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sin calling on His name (Acts 22:16).

F. Why were the Roman Christians asked to recall their baptism as the time when they had been raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4)?

G. Why were those in the churches of Galatia told that they were sons of God through faith, For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27)?

H. Why is baptism never put after salvation in a verse, but always before?

I. Why is a washing or water often associated with salvation (Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; John 3:5; I Peter 3:20-21; I Corinthians 6:11)?

J. Why does Peter say baptism now saves you (I Peter 3:21)?

K. Why do we not hear from denominational pulpits Peter’s response to those wanting to be Christians?

L. Why do almost all conversions in Acts mention baptism while many of those accounts do not mention belief?

M. Why does the Bible say that we are saved not by faith alone (James 2:24).

N. Why are we never told to believe into Christ, but we are told to be baptized into Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-4).

O. Why did Jesus say that He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16).

III. The Evidence Is Overwhelming.

A. Baptism is linked to salvation, forgiveness, newness of life, new birth, washing away sins, becoming a Christian, being clothed with Christ, being sons of God, being saved, being sanctified, regenerated, etc..

B. Baptism is never deliberately postponed.

C. People are baptized in isolated circumstances and at unusual times.

D. Belief alone is said not to save, while baptism is said to save in association with Jesus resurrection.

E. Baptism is said to be the way into Christ.

IV. But What About……

A. Acts 16:30-31?

1. Indeed, the jailer did need to believe to be saved.

2. Believing, however, included baptism (v. 34).

a. His rejoicing occurred after his baptism.

b. James 2:21-24 shows that saving faith includes whatever is the appropriate response of faith.

c. Apart from the commanded response, faith is dead.

B. Acts 10:44-48?

1. The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius before he was baptized - wouldn’t that mean that he was saved before baptism?

a. He had the Holy Spirit fall on him before he heard or believed the gospel (Acts 11:15).

b. Peter had not told him what he must do (Acts 10:6, 22, 32-33; 11:14).

2. Cornelius was baptized, even though Peter was apparently concerned that some might try to forbid his baptism (Acts 10:47-48; cf. Acts 11:1-3).

a. Why would Peter have been concerned about people forbidding baptism if it were unnecessary?

b. If belief alone was required, why no objection to belief?

C. Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-16; 26:12-18)?

1. It is commonly assumed that Paul was saved on the road to Damascus.

2. Acts 22:16 shows that Paul was still in his sinful condition prior to his baptized.

Conclusion:

1. Baptism is for the remission of sins.

2. Not in isolation, but in association with: the preaching of the Gospel, belief, repentance, confession, and most importantly the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

3. Don’t delay, “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”

New Site at GJCOC.us!

P.O. Box 307408, Gahanna, Ohio 43230 • Meeting at 7816 Havens Road, Blacklick, Ohio

10/05/2012

New Site at TheGJCOC.com!

Romans 6:1-4

Introduction:

1. One of the most hotly contested issues in contemporary Christendom centers on whether or not baptism is for the remission of sins.

2. We commonly find that our religious neighbors teach baptism is to identify with the congregation.

3. But we insist that baptism is for the forgiveness of sin.

4. Who is right? How do we decide?

Body:

I. First, what do we believe?

A. We do not believe that baptism saves as a work that earns salvation.

B. We do, however, believe that baptism saves as a work of faith that accesses salvation (James 2:14-26).

II. If baptism is for identification answer these questions.

A. Why did Simon Peter answer those looking to be forgiven by telling them to repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:36-38)?

B. Why did the Eunuch request baptism after having Jesus preached to him, even though he was on a lonely road? Why did he rejoice after baptism rather than belief? (Acts 8:35-39)?

C. Why was the jailer immediately baptized at midnight with only his family present (Acts 16:32-33)?

D. Why do we never find baptism deliberately delayed in the New Testament as it often is by denominations today?

E. Why was the repentant, believer Paul told to Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sin calling on His name (Acts 22:16).

F. Why were the Roman Christians asked to recall their baptism as the time when they had been raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4)?

G. Why were those in the churches of Galatia told that they were sons of God through faith, For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27)?

H. Why is baptism never put after salvation in a verse, but always before?

I. Why is a washing or water often associated with salvation (Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; John 3:5; I Peter 3:20-21; I Corinthians 6:11)?

J. Why does Peter say baptism now saves you (I Peter 3:21)?

K. Why do we not hear from denominational pulpits Peter’s response to those wanting to be Christians?

L. Why do almost all conversions in Acts mention baptism while many of those accounts do not mention belief?

M. Why does the Bible say that we are saved not by faith alone (James 2:24).

N. Why are we never told to believe into Christ, but we are told to be baptized into Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-4).

O. Why did Jesus say that He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16).

III. The Evidence Is Overwhelming.

A. Baptism is linked to salvation, forgiveness, newness of life, new birth, washing away sins, becoming a Christian, being clothed with Christ, being sons of God, being saved, being sanctified, regenerated, etc..

B. Baptism is never deliberately postponed.

C. People are baptized in isolated circumstances and at unusual times.

D. Belief alone is said not to save, while baptism is said to save in association with Jesus resurrection.

E. Baptism is said to be the way into Christ.

IV. But What About……

A. Acts 16:30-31?

1. Indeed, the jailer did need to believe to be saved.

2. Believing, however, included baptism (v. 34).

a. His rejoicing occurred after his baptism.

b. James 2:21-24 shows that saving faith includes whatever is the appropriate response of faith.

c. Apart from the commanded response, faith is dead.

B. Acts 10:44-48?

1. The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius before he was baptized - wouldn’t that mean that he was saved before baptism?

a. He had the Holy Spirit fall on him before he heard or believed the gospel (Acts 11:15).

b. Peter had not told him what he must do (Acts 10:6, 22, 32-33; 11:14).

2. Cornelius was baptized, even though Peter was apparently concerned that some might try to forbid his baptism (Acts 10:47-48; cf. Acts 11:1-3).

a. Why would Peter have been concerned about people forbidding baptism if it were unnecessary?

b. If belief alone was required, why no objection to belief?

C. Paul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-16; 26:12-18)?

1. It is commonly assumed that Paul was saved on the road to Damascus.

2. Acts 22:16 shows that Paul was still in his sinful condition prior to his baptized.

Conclusion:

1. Baptism is for the remission of sins.

2. Not in isolation, but in association with: the preaching of the Gospel, belief, repentance, confession, and most importantly the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

3. Don’t delay, “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”