Understanding Baptism

“Understanding Baptism”

Brian Kenning

11th December 2011

Jesus was baptised by John (Luke 3:21-22)

Baptism was an initiation ceremony for people choosing a new faith

Christian Baptism began with Jesus

Jesus command (in Matthew 28:18-20)  ….”make disciples of all peoples baptising them …….”

Whenever Christians preached about Jesus and people responded the early Christians made sure new believers were baptised

 

Examples of Baptism:

 

1.       Acts 2:38-41  -  Pentecost
Q:  What shall we do?

A:  Repent and be baptised …

 

2.       Acts 8:26-40  -  An Ethiopian seeker

Philip explains the good news about Jesus

The Ethiopian believes and is baptised

 

3.       Acts 10 -  A Roman Centurion

Peter talks about Jesus

The Holy Spirit falls

Peter urges the new believers to be baptised

 

4.       Acts 16:16-34  -  A Prison Jailer

Earthquake

Panic

Out of a crisis a jailer believes in Jesus and is baptised

 

5.       Acts 19:1-7  -  Ephesian Disciples

Didn’t know about the Holy Spirit

Didn’t know about Christian Baptism

Baptised in order to complete their foundation experience

 

Four foundations to becoming Christian:

 

·         Believe in Jesus

·         Repent, turn from wrong, turn towards God

·         Be filled with the Holy Spirit

·         Be baptised

 

No Christian should miss out on any of these key foundations to the Christian life

 

 

The Meaning of Baptism:

 

1.       Like a Marriage

Vows made in public before God, family and friends

An outward expression of inner commitment

 

2.       Like a soldier getting into uniform, enlisting in God’s Army

Baptism marks you as a Christ Soldier

 

3.       Like a washing and a cleansing

Clean and new on the inside

 

4.       Like a Death – Burial – Resurrection

Romans 6:1-4

·         A burial of the old you

·         A resurrection to a new life

 

What is to stop you being baptised?