1. What it can and cannot do “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” v. 4

2. I. What Baptism Cannot Do It cannot change the heart 1 Acts 15:9 “purifying their hearts by faith” Heart is changed by emotion, will and intellect. Faith will produce a change in the heart.

3. Heart Changes Acts 2:37 NKJV “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” Believing what they “heard” affected their “heart”

4. I. What Baptism Cannot Do It cannot change the Life 2 Matt. 21:28-29 “...he repented” Repentance is a change of heart, produced by the word of God, that results in a change of life.

5. I. What Baptism Cannot Do It cannot remove temptation 3 Matt. 3:13- 4:11 after baptism Jesus – Demas - Simon Resist and look for way of escape 1 Cor. 10:13 1 Cor. 10:13 “a way to escape”

6. I. What Baptism Cannot Do It cannot make one sinless 4 Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira Baptism forgives all past sins Does not make us immune to sin

7. I. What Baptism Cannot Do It cannot guarantee eternal salvation 5 2 Pet 2:20-22 A christian can fall 1 Cor. 9:27 “I discipline my body”

8. I. What Baptism Cannot Do It cannot make a baby a Christian 6 Mark 16:16 Infants are not capable of believing They are not lost

9. I. What Baptism Cannot Do It does not allow us to keep that which has been illegally taken 7 Acts 2:38 Stolen car – repent = return Another’s mate – repent = leave “not lawful for you to have her” Mt.14:4

10. I. What Baptism Cannot Do Does not sanctify an unlawful Marriage 8 Baptism forgives past sin Will not turn an unscriptural marriage into something God will accept Matt. 19:9

11. I. What Baptism Cannot Do Does not free a man from Legal Penalties 9 Violates law of land = tried - penalty Baptism forgives in sight of God Civil laws will be followed Rom. 13:4 “beareth not sword in vain”

12. What it can and cannot do

13. II. What Baptism Can Do 1 Puts One into Christ Gal. 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Preceded by faith, repentance and confession

14. II. What Baptism Can Do 2 Puts One into His Death Rom. 6:3 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Old self has died Christ has taken his place

15. II. What Baptism Can Do 3 Saves us Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” B + B = Salvation 2 + 2 = 4 1 Pet. 3:21 “...baptism doth also now save us...”

16. II. What Baptism Can Do 4 Remission of Sins Acts 2:38 “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.” Freedom, pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, liberty

17. II. What Baptism Can Do 5 Sins Washed Away Acts 22:16 “...arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,...” Heb. 8:12 “and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

18. II. What Baptism Can Do 6 Baptized into the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit Matt. 28:19 “baptizing them in the name of...” Name = by the authority

19. II. What Baptism Can Do 7 Baptized into the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12:13 “For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body,...” Body and church are same Eph.1:22-23 The only way to get into the church is to be baptized into Christ.

20. II. What Baptism Can Do 8 Baptized into A New Life Rom. 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” New = different

21. II. What Baptism Can Do 9 Baptism is part of the New Birth John 3:3-5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” Water = baptism

22. What it can and cannot do

23. I. What Baptism Cannot Do 1 2 5 4 3 7 8 9 6 Change the heart Change the life Remove temptation Make one sinless Guarantee eternal salvation Make a baby a Christian Allow us to keep that taken illegally Sanctify an unlawful marriage Free a man from legal penalties

24. II. What Baptism Can Do 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Puts us into Christ Puts us into His death Saves us Remission of sins Sins washed away Into name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit Into the body of Christ Into a New Life Part of the New Birth

25. What it can and cannot do Baptism in water by immersion is part of the gospel - Mark 16:15-16 It is important ! Have you been baptized ?

26. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 arthurpigman@cybrtyme.com www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning July 1, 2007