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Biblical references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible. Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. In this series we have surveyed the following basic doctrines:
1) Atheists and agnostics, who deny or question God's existence.
2) Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Moslems, Christians, etc., who believe in a Supreme Being.
1) Buddhists, Hindus, etc., who hold to many gods.
2) Jews, Moslems, Christians, etc., who believe in God of Abraham.
1) Jews, Moslems, etc., who may accept Jesus as a good man, perhaps a prophet.
2) Christians, who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
1) Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah Witness, etc., who deny the Scriptures are all-sufficient.
2) Mainstream Protestants, Christians, etc., who profess the principle of the Scriptures alone.
2. Another basic doctrine is the purpose of baptism.
a. Some say that the purpose of baptism has nothing to do with salvation.
b. Others say that baptism is an integral part in God's plan for saving man.
3. In this study, we shall examine...
a. The common view of baptism.
b. Another view concerning baptism.
c. What difference does it really make.
Body.
I. THE COMMON VIEW REGARDING BAPTISM.
A. THAT BAPTISM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SALVATION...
1. This view is expressed by many.
a. "Baptists believe that no one is subject for baptism till he is already saved."
b. "We believe it is a positive command, enjoined upon the believing, saved soul, and is essential to true, loving obedience."
c. "Baptists believe that the immersion of a believer is an open declaration to the world that such a one is dead to sin."
d. "Again, the immersion is a proclamation to the world that we believe in Him who died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
e. "So it is a proclamation of our belief that Christ arose from the dead..."
2. What Baptists Believe And Why They Believe It, J. G. Bow.
B. THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM FROM THIS PERSPECTIVE...
1. Baptism is simply "a public declaration" of
one's faith in Jesus Christ.
2. It is a command to be obeyed AFTER salvation, similar to the Lord's Supper.
3. It is therefore non-essential to salvation: "Is baptism necessary for salvation? I don't beat about the bush about it at all. I come out with a plain, definite NO! No, baptism doesn't save, doesn't help save, and I'll go even further to say that it doesn't have anything in this world to with the saving of a soul." Good News, Edward T. Hiscox, March 2, 1972
C. Is this true? Is the only purpose of baptism one of making a public proclamation of one's faith in Jesus? Is baptism for those who are already saved?
II. AN ANOTHER VIEW REGARDING BAPTISM.
A. BAPTISM IS NOT A PUBLIC PROCLAMATION ONE'S FAITH.
1. There is no teaching in the Bible that defines the purpose for baptism as such!
a. An appeal is often made to the example of Christ's baptism...
1) That Jesus was baptized to publicly introduce Himself to Israel as the Messiah.
2) And that therefore the purpose for Christian baptism is to serve the similar purpose of publicly professing ourselves to the world as disciples of Jesus.
b. An interesting correlation, but one nowhere made in the Scriptures!
2. If baptism were solely a public proclamation of one's faith...
a. What about the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch? - Acts 8:35-39
1) When he asked what might hinder him from being baptized, why wasn't he told to wait until they got to town or some public place?
2) The fact that he was baptized when it was just he and Philip would imply that there is some other
purpose for baptism!
b. What about the baptism of the Philippian jailer Acts 16:25-34
1) They were baptized "immediately", after midnight and before daylight.
2) Why didn't Paul tell them to wait until a special baptismal service could be held that was open to the public, or at least to the church?
3. Both of these examples imply that the purpose of baptism is for some reason other than a public profession of one's faith.
a. There was a sense of urgency in both cases.
b. Indeed, in every case where baptism is described in detail in the book of Acts, it occurs immediately after one lesson! Which leaves no time for them to learn more than they are lost and need Jesus as their savior.
B. WHAT THE BIBLE AND HISTORY TEACHES ABOUT BAPTISM.
1. When you are baptized into Christ, the Bible says:
b. Your sins are washed away - Acts 22:16
c. Your sins are remitted (forgiven) - Acts 2:38
d. You die to sin and are freed from sin - Romans 6:1-7
e. You are baptized into the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:13
f. You are saved through the resurrection of Christ, as you make an appeal for a good conscience -
1 Peter 3:21
2. I believe, when one comes to the Bible with an open mind, willing to consider whatever the Bible says about baptism...
a. They will conclude that the idea that baptism is a purely symbolic rite:
1) Must be pronounced unsatisfactory!
2) Is out of harmony with the New Testament itself!
b. They will agree with Martin Luther, who...
1) In answer to the question, "What gifts or benefits does Baptism
bestow?", replied in his Small Catechism, "It effects forgiveness of sins."
2) Also wrote concerning the sinner: "Through Baptism he is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins."
3) Again wrote: "To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to
save." (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 32-34)
4) In his commentary on Romans 6:3, wrote: "Baptism has been instituted that it should lead us to the blessings (of this death) and through such death to eternal life. Therefore IT IS NECESSARY that we should be baptized into Jesus Christ and His death." (Commentary On Romans, Kregel Publications, p. 101)
c. And they will concur with Augustine, who...
1) Referring to the effect of baptism, wrote that "the salvation of man is effected in
baptism"; also, that a person "is baptized for the express purpose of being with Christ." (Cottrell, p. 30)
2) With regard to the necessity of baptism, refers to the "apostolic tradition, by which the Churches of Christ maintain it to be an inherent principle, that without baptism...it is impossible for any man to attain to salvation and everlasting life." (ibid., p. 30)
3. Along with the perspective of church history, the Bible clearly teaches that the purpose of baptism is one that relates to the saving of one's soul, for as one is baptized they are by God's grace and power united with Christ and thereby receive all the benefits of His death!
III. DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
A. SOME BOLDLY PROCLAIM NO!
1. That God will accept a baptism for a different purpose.
2. That while a person may mistakenly think they were saved at the point of believing, their sins are forgiven at the point of baptism.
B. SOME SAY YES!
1. At best, it raises serious questions about one's obedience to the gospel.
a. Has one really obeyed Christ, if they responded to a perversion of it? Galatians
1:6-9
1) Today, most people are told to simply repent and pray.
2) But the apostles commanded people to repent and be baptized - Acts 2:38
b. Can a person be taught wrong, and baptized right?
1) In Acts
19:1-5, we have a case of re-baptism...
a) John's baptism did not qualify as meeting the conditions of Christ's baptism.
b) Even though John's baptism was the will of God for a short time.
2) If John's baptism required re-baptism in the name of Christ, how much more those who were not baptized for the right purpose today?
2. At worst, there are some serious consequences!
a. People who sincerely think they are saved are still lost!
b. Preachers and teachers who say baptism has nothing to do with salvation are teaching a perverted gospel! -
Galatians 1:8-9
Conclusion.
1. To have this in one's preaching would certainly make a difference!
a. Our response to the question "What shall we do?" would be similar to Peter's response on Pentecost: "Repent...and be baptized!"
b. People would respond to our "preaching Christ" like the eunuch: "Here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
2. Yet today, rarely do you hear in many churches...
a. A preacher commanding his audience like Peter did in Acts 2:38.
b. A listener who just heard the gospel ask the question the eunuch did in Acts 8:36.
c. A teacher telling a penitent believer what Ananias told Saul of Tarsus: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
(Acts
22:16)
3. The reason should be clear: Something's changed!
4. Yes, the purpose of baptism is another basic doctrine:
a. For one's view on the purpose of baptism make a great difference.
b. It affects our preaching, and it affects the souls of those who hear us!
5. We must therefore:
a. Fully understand the distinction between such views on baptism.
b. Make certain that our understanding is in harmony with the Scriptures.
c. Lovingly reach out to those who are in error.
6. What is your understanding concerning baptism? Have you been baptized for the purpose revealed in the Scriptures?
-- Don Treadway, February 2002 --
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