What’s the big deal about Baptism?

Matthew 3:13-17
Dr. Roger Ferguson
June 25, 2006

Theme: Baptism is a beautiful act of devotion to God. There is a lot of confusion over what baptism is. People ask: “Do I have to be baptized in a Baptist Church?” “Do I have to be baptized to be saved?” “Is sprinkling or immersion the Biblical form?” “What does baptism mean?" Today’s message will clear up misunderstandings and magnify the Lord of baptism, Jesus Christ. Have you followed Jesus in Scriptural Baptism?

I. Jesus was baptized to symbolize His…

1. Identification with us in our brokenness so that we identify with Jesus in salvation.

“One Lord, on faith, one baptism.”
Ephesians 4:5

2. Anticipation of his comin death and resurrection so that we can die to self and live for Christ. (v. 16-17)

“ or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection.”
Romans 6:3-5

3. Public declaration of his loyalty to God and Our devotion to Jesus.

II. Scriptural baptism requires we understand…

1. The right method: Immersion done publicly under the authority of a local church.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

2. The right Meaning: after salvation and as a symbol.

“And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ And they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, “John Baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 19:3-5

The Proof of Love is Obedience…

Make it practical
As a result of today’s’ message from the Bible will you…
1. Receive Christ’s pardon for you sin and ask Him to lead your life?
2. Follow Jesus publicly in believer’s baptism?
3. Serve Christ through His church and reach out to the lost as we equip and encourage one another?
4. Do anything else the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do?