“Sacrament” 1)A sacred act instituted by Christ for Christians to do. 2)Uses earthly elements along with God’s Word. 3)Offers and gives forgiveness of sins, life and salvation

Lesson 21

What is Baptism?

Why is the water we use in Baptism not just plain water? Mark 7:3-4 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing (baptizing) of cups, pitchers and kettles, and dining couches.) water Jesus commands us to use

Why is the water we use in Baptism not just plain water? Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing (washing) them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… baptize Jesus commands us

Why is the water we use in Baptism not just plain water? Ephesians 5:26 …to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word… his Word water Jesus commands us to use together with

Key Point #1 The water in Baptism is not just plain water, because it is water God has commanded us to use and it is connected with his Word.

Evaluate… Meg, a teenager, wanted to be baptized standing in a river, instead of standing next to the baptismal font in church.

Whom are we to baptize? Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… all nations

Whom are we to baptize? Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, 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… adults all nations includes

Whom are we to baptize? Acts 2:39 …The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” children all nations includes

What’s wrong here? As a pastor pours water on a baby’s head, he says, “I baptize you in the name of the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Comforter.” Is the baptism a valid baptism? Why or why not?

Key Point #2 God commands us to baptize “all nations” – both children and adults.

Why do we baptize children? Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… all nations children are part of

Why do we baptize children? Psalm 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. sinful children are by nature

Why do we baptize children? Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. believe in Jesus children can

Key Point #3 We baptize little children since “all nations” includes them, they are sinful, and they can believe.

Lesson 21a Baptism is an act that Jesus commands us to do to all nations, using water together with his Word.

Lesson 21b

How can Baptism offer and give such great blessings?

How can water give forgiveness, rebirth, and eternal salvation? Titus 3:5 …he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit… the Holy Spirit works through connected with

How can water give forgiveness, rebirth, and eternal salvation? Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word… water the Holy Spirit the Word of God works through connected with

Key Point #1 It is not the water that does such great things, but the Holy Spirit, who works by God’s Word connected with the water used in Baptism.

What two main things does the Holy Spirit do through the Word of God in Baptism? Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” promise blessings

What two main things does the Holy Spirit do through the Word of God in Baptism? Colossians 2:12 …having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. give faith that trusts God’s promises

Key Point #2 Through the Word of God in Baptism, the Holy Spirit promises blessings to us and also gives us the faith to trust that promise.

In Mormon churches people are baptized “in place of” people who have already died. Do those dead people receive eternal life in that way? Why or why not?

Melinda says to you, “You just had a water baptism. You didn’t have a Spirit baptism. When you get baptized in the Holy Spirit, you feel light all over and filled with love for Jesus. It happened to me one day in church when the preacher was preaching from the Word of God. It just swept over me.” How would you respond to her?

Lesson 21b In Baptism, the Holy Spirit works through God’s Word connected with the water, offering God’s blessings and giving faith to receive those blessings.