Foundations of our faith: INSTRUCTION ABOUT BAPTISMS Penge Baptist Church 2 nd October 2011

Foundations of our faith “ the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment ” Hebrews 6:1-2

Baptism is for whom? For believers …. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27) ….but needn ’ t be adults

Why Baptism? Christ ’ s command: “ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Christ ’ s example Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “ I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? ” Jesus replied, “ Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. ” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “ This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. ” (Matthew 3:13-17)

The early church ’ s practice they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “ Brothers, what shall we do? ” 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. (Acts 2:37-38)

What does baptism mean? Declaring union with Christ 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 (Colossians 2:12) A sign of cleansing And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. (Acts 22:16)

A confession of faith That if you confess with your mouth, “ Jesus is Lord, ” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9) Entering the church community “ You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ” (Galatians 3:26-28) A sign of the Holy Spirit ’ s presence you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

A transformed life A commitment to follow Jesus …. Or don ’ t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4) ….and to serve his people the church For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (1 Corinthians 12:13)