Bible Study by Donna Maricelli, © 2009 PPT by Richard Tracey, © 2010

“…be baptized, and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord…” Acts 22:16

God proved his desire for a spiritual relationship with humanity. God proved his desire for a spiritual relationship with humanity. Jesus Christ shed His blood and suffered a painful death to reconnect the communion that was severed by sin. Jesus Christ shed His blood and suffered a painful death to reconnect the communion that was severed by sin.

Confessing Jesus Christ is Lord and died for all sin. Confessing Jesus Christ is Lord and died for all sin. Apologizing to Him for personal sin. Apologizing to Him for personal sin. Being water baptized to wash away those sins. Being water baptized to wash away those sins. Inviting His Spirit to dwell inside Inviting His Spirit to dwell inside

“… repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins…” Acts 2:38 “… repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins…” Acts 2:38

#1- If a speeding citation is paid in full, it is not cleared from the record until the document is stamped: remitted #1- If a speeding citation is paid in full, it is not cleared from the record until the document is stamped: remitted Christ paid the fine for sin. In water baptism the repentant sinner’s record is cleared. Christ paid the fine for sin. In water baptism the repentant sinner’s record is cleared.

#2 – A disobedient child is forgiven for the mud on his new pants. Does the forgiveness clean the pants? #2 – A disobedient child is forgiven for the mud on his new pants. Does the forgiveness clean the pants? In water baptism the forgiven sin is washed from the soul. In water baptism the forgiven sin is washed from the soul. “… Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5 “… Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5

#3 A criminal can make a personal apology to the victim, receive forgiveness, and begin a relationship. #3 A criminal can make a personal apology to the victim, receive forgiveness, and begin a relationship. But he must pay the penalty for the crime. If he receives a pardon, however, then the penalty is taken away. But he must pay the penalty for the crime. If he receives a pardon, however, then the penalty is taken away.

#3 Continued – Through repentance and water baptism, sin is forever removed. Repentance is a personal apology to God for sin. Repentance is a personal apology to God for sin. Water baptism deals with the legal consequences of sin. Water baptism deals with the legal consequences of sin.

As it remits sin, it is important that water baptism be administered as demonstrated in the Bible. As it remits sin, it is important that water baptism be administered as demonstrated in the Bible.

“… went up… out of the water.” Matthew 3:16 “… went up… out of the water.” Matthew 3:16 “…down…into the water.” Acts 8:38

Without exception, all New Testament believers were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Without exception, all New Testament believers were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

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. 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. …”

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Jesus said: Jesus said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved… (Mark 16:16) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved… (Mark 16:16) “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

Apostle Peter said: Apostle Peter said: “… baptism doth also now save us…” 1 st Peter 3:21 “… baptism doth also now save us…” 1 st Peter 3:21 It clears the conscience It clears the conscience “… baptism… the answer of a good conscience…” 1 st Peter 3:21 “… baptism… the answer of a good conscience…” 1 st Peter 3:21

Apostle Paul said – It is an identity with Christ’s burial. The “dead” or repentant sinner is buried. The “dead” or repentant sinner is buried. “… Buried with him by baptism into his death…” Romans 6:3-5 “… Buried with him by baptism into his death…” Romans 6:3-5

Apostle Paul said – It is the covering of Jesus Christ. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27

In the Bible, it was immediate on conversion. In the Bible, it was immediate on conversion. First believers: “… were baptized… the same day…” Acts 2:41 First believers: “… were baptized… the same day…” Acts 2:41

Philip preached the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch. They stopped the chariot at the first source of water for baptism. (Acts 8:35-39) They stopped the chariot at the first source of water for baptism. (Acts 8:35-39)

Paul and Silas were in a Philippian jail and the Jailer and his household received the gospel message and the “…same hour of the night…was baptized…” Acts 16:33 “…same hour of the night…was baptized…” Acts 16:33

“… 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.” Acts 2:38 “… 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.” Acts 2:38

Repent: Confess and turn from sin Repent: Confess and turn from sin Be Water Baptized: Sins are washed away Be Water Baptized: Sins are washed away Expect the Holy Spirit Baptism: A prepared heart will be filled Expect the Holy Spirit Baptism: A prepared heart will be filled

Repentance and water baptism prepares your spiritual house for the indwelling of God’s Spirit. Repentance and water baptism prepares your spiritual house for the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

For the acorn to explore its created purpose, it must surrender to burial in the appropriate soil. For the acorn to explore its created purpose, it must surrender to burial in the appropriate soil.

The repentant heart is buried

What is the importance of water baptism?

Discuss a new concept you’ve learned from this study.

Identify concerns or fears about being baptized in water.

When would you like to have your sins washed away?

Why wait? Why wait? “… what doth hinder…?” Acts 8:36 “… what doth hinder…?” Acts 8:36 “… why tarriest thou: arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16 “… why tarriest thou: arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16

Let us thank Jesus Christ for His love. For dying on the cross to pay the penalty for sin. For his plan to erase our sin permanently from the record. Commit to a deeper relationship with Him by being baptized in His name. Let us thank Jesus Christ for His love. For dying on the cross to pay the penalty for sin. For his plan to erase our sin permanently from the record. Commit to a deeper relationship with Him by being baptized in His name.

“Lord, I want to be covered by you… buried with you: Prepared for the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.” “Lord, I want to be covered by you… buried with you: Prepared for the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.”

Jesus is baptized in water as an example (Matthew 3) Jesus is baptized in water as an example (Matthew 3) Water baptism: a deeper meaning (Romans 6) Water baptism: a deeper meaning (Romans 6) Sins are forever remitted (Isaiah 1:18, Jeremiah 31:34, Psalm 103:12) Sins are forever remitted (Isaiah 1:18, Jeremiah 31:34, Psalm 103:12)

In the next lesson we will learn about the promise of the Holy Spirit …