1. GET CONNECTED... Sunday 1 st March 2015 Connecting through baptism?

2.  Controversy  Experience Why a talk on baptism?

3.  Controversy  Experience  NT emphasis Why a talk on baptism? 38 Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.’... 41 Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:38-41

4.  Controversy  Experience  NT emphasis Why a talk on baptism? 12... you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again... 6 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Heb 5:12, 6:1-2

5. A brief history of ‘baptism’  Bapto ( βάπτω ) = to dip, 3 times in NT Greek OT, Jewish proselyte rites  Baptismos ( βαπτισμός ) = [ceremonial] washings 4 times in NT  Baptizo ( βαπτίζω ) = immerse/saturate 86 times in NT  Baptisma ( βάπτισμα ) = baptism (John’s / Christian) 22 times in NT, not found before NT

6. Some key scriptures on Baptism  Mat 3:1-2, 5-6, 11, 13-17  Mat 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16  Acts 2:37-39, 8:12-17, 10:44-48 (plus others)  Acts 19:1-6  Rom 6:1-4  Gal 3:26-29  1 Pet 3:18-21

7. Fantastic News of... 1.Forgiveness

8. Fantastic News of... 1.Forgiveness 2.Freedom

9. Fantastic News of... 1.Forgiveness 2.Freedom 3.Friendship

10. Fantastic News of... 1.Forgiveness 2.Freedom 3.Friendship 4.Fullness

11. Fantastic News of... 1.Forgiveness 2.Freedom 3.Friendship 4.Fullness 5.Family

12.  The Value of Baptism  Connection of physical & spiritual  Given significance by Jesus & the Father  Given value by our obedience in faith Application to us...

13.  The Value of Baptism  Treasure our baptism as a sign from God  What if I haven’t been baptised (like this)?  Be encouraged by the command of Jesus  Be encouraged by the example of Jesus  Be encouraged by the practice of the early church Application to us...

14.  The Value of Baptism  Treasure our baptism as a sign from God  What if I haven’t been baptised (like this)?  Have you been immersed in, saturated by, thoroughly dyed with, pickled in... the name [nature, character] of the Father and the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Spirit ? Application to us...

15. CONCLUSION: WHERE ARE YOU AT? Sunday 1 st March 2015 Do you need to remember your baptism? Do you need to live in the light of it? Do you need to look at baptism carefully? Do you need to get baptised?