By Pastor Dan Kennedy
©2009
Do you call yourself a Christian? What does it mean to be a “Christian”?
•Are you a Christian because you were born into a certain family?
•Are you a Christian because you are kind and generous to your family, neighbors or needy?
•Are you a Christian because it is the socially accepted thing to be?
•Are you a Christian because you go to, or are even a member, of a “Christian” Church?
•Are you a Christian because you are living in a “Christian” country?
•Are you a Christian because you have been baptized sometime in your life?
•Or are you a Christian because you have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, because He has cleansed your sins by His Precious Blood and because you have been spiritually born into God’s Family by His Holy Spirit?
It seems that anyone can call him or herself a “Christian” these days!
Just saying that you are a Christian, doesn’t make you a Christian!
♦Being nice, kind and generous to your family, neighbors, or to the needy, does not make you a Christian!
♦Being born into a “Christian” family, or country doesn’t make you a Christian!
♦Even joining a “Christian” Church, or being baptized does not automatically make you a Christian!
ηAn individual becomes a Biblical Christian when one has chosen, by faith, to follow Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, when he or she has invited Jesus Christ to cleanse their sins by His Precious Blood, and he or she, by God’s Grace, has been spiritually born into God’s Family through the Holy Spirit!
How Christians Got their Name
There are several passages of Scripture in which we find that Disciples of Christ are called “Christian”:
•At the Church in Antioch, Disciples of Jesus Christ were first called “Christian”
Scripture Reading: Acts 11:19-26
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Disciples
μαθητής [math·ay·tes/] 1 a learner, pupil, disciple.
Christians
Χριστιανός [Christianos /khris·tee·an·os/]; 1 Christian, a follower of Christ.
•When Paul Told King Agrippa of His Conversion, the King said that Paul was seeking to persuade him to be a “Christian”
Acts 26
12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
•When Peter spoke of severe trials in the lives of those who follow Christ, he spoke of suffering as a “Christian”
1 Peter 4
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“ If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Questions to which Christians should know the answer
A Christian is a follower of Christ. Not only are Christians followers of Christ, a Christian has been transformed through New Birth, into God’s Family, by the Redemption of Christ (the shed blood of Christ on the Cross) and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. There is a necessity for this because of sin.
Mankind’s Desperate Problem: Sin
Doing wrong is everybody’s problem, but it is especially a problem when it comes to our relationship with a Holy God!
A Christian’s salvation addresses this very real problem of our sin when confronted by God’s Holiness; a problem that must be adequately solved.
We might see the answer more clearly when we ask these questions:
Ask a child: “What happens when you disobey your parents?”
There probably will be a telling “pause” but then you may receive several answers. Their answers seem to all boil down to this: “When I disobey my parents, I am disciplined…in some way.”
Then ask that same child: “What happens when you disobey God?”
There can be a longer pause, because in all honesty, they realize that disobeying the All-Powerful, All-Holy, Creator of the Universe is a much more serious offense which then deserves a much greater discipline than a few minutes of “time out”. It is catastrophic to disobey God! Life itself is held in the balance and the risk of one’s eternal destiny is at stake!
Disobedience is a real problem when it comes to God, because, in His Holiness, sin must be punished – and the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)!
This leads me to three primary questions that I often ask folks who are interested in speaking about spiritual things…questions that may clarify whether or not one is a true Christian!
Three Primary Questions to Find Out Whether or Not a Person is a Christian:
The First Primary Question: “How can a Holy God take me, a sinner, to live with Him in His Holy heaven (forever) and Him still be Holy?”
God cannot sustain His Holiness, if He takes me, a sinner, into His Holy Presence… and then keeps me in His holy Presence (along with all the other “sinful” people who go to heaven) for eternity! This is a huge problem that needs to be solved here! Who then can go to heaven?
Is God going to damn all of those whom He created in His image because they surely have disobeyed Him (Rom. 3:23)? What could He do to rescue these He created?
The Holy God’s Answer to Sin
God sent His Son, the Perfect Lamb of God, to bear the sin of the whole world – and those who by faith, by His Grace, receive His free gift of eternal life, because of Christ’s death and sacrifice on the Cross, can be just as clean as if they had never sinned! The judicial term, “Justified” or “Justification” is used here.
Jesus Christ died so that everyone in this Church could have all the sin that they have ever done, or all the sin that they will ever do, washed away, by the cleansing blood of Christ’s sacrifice and redemption.
Jesus Christ took the sin of everyone in our city – all that they have ever done and all that they will ever do, on His Body on the Cross.
Jesus Christ took the sin of everyone in our state – all that they have ever done and all that they will ever do, on His Body on the Cross.
Jesus Christ took the sin of everyone in North and South America – all that they have ever done and all that they will ever do, on His Body on the Cross.
Jesus Christ took the sin of everyone in the whole World – all that they have ever done and all that they will ever do, on His Body on the Cross.
Jesus Christ took the sin of everyone who ever lived from the beginning of time, and everyone who will ever live…to the end of time – all that they have ever done and all that they will ever do, on His Body on the Cross.
Jesus Christ took the punishment for the sins of the whole world, but only those who by faith receive Him as their Savior will receive the benefit and cleansing from their sin. The pardon for the sin of anyone is present through Jesus Christ - but it is not active unless we receive it.
As the Sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus Christ bore the sin of the whole world in His Body on the Cross!
John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Those who, by faith, through God’s Grace, receive His Gift of Eternal Life, will be forgiven of their sin – all they have ever done and all they will ever do. They will be “Justified” in the Eyes of the Holy God and Creator of the world!
These who have been born again (redeemed through the Blood of Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit) will then be able to live, even within the Pureness of God’s Holiness, forever in His Heaven, because their sins will have been cleansed and atoned for through the Precious Blood of Christ!
Then you can ask the second primary question:
“Why did Jesus Christ die on the Cross?”
The answer is obvious. To bear the sin of the whole world, so that those who receive Him, by His Grace, can be born again into His Family and live with Him forever!
The third primary question is good to clarify if we know what we believe.
“If you were to die today and stand before God, and God should ask you, ‘Why should I let you into My Heaven’, what answer would you give Him?”
There is really only one answer to this Question: “Because of the Precious Blood of Christ!”
The answer isn’t, “Because I deserve to go to heaven because I have done good things!”
God will bring me into His Holy Heaven, because, through His Grace, I have received Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice for my sin. Because Christ’s Blood has redeemed me, I can then be born again into God’s Family through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Not by any works that I have done, it is all by His Grace, through faith. …Because I have been justified through the Precious, Atoning Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, I can now be called a follower of Christ…a Christian!
Titus 3:5-7
5 he (God) saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know that I have sinned against You. In no way do I deserve to go to heaven to be forever with You in Your Holiness, but You gave Your Son, Jesus Christ, to bear my sin, in His Body on the Cross. Wash all my sin away through the Precious Blood that He shed for me. I invite Your Holy Spirit to come into my life to regenerate me and give me Spiritual Life into Your Family.
Through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, I also renounce the hidden things of darkness that I may have chosen to give room to in my life, and trust Your Power, O Christ, to give me the Power to live as You want me to live.
Thank You for Redeeming me from sin, through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and for giving me new life through Your Holy Spirit!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
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• An individual becomes a Biblical Christian when one has chosen, by faith, to follow Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, when he or she has invited Jesus Christ to cleanse their sins by His Precious Blood, and he or she, by God’s Grace, has been spiritually born into God’s Family through the Holy Spirit!
Today we are also having several who are being baptized. I encourage those who have invited Christ into their life to follow Christ in baptism…as is seen throughout the New Testament. Because of this, I am including some additional material on Baptism that I trust you will find helpful. This too, is part of the real Scriptural reason why people call themselves Christians
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Scriptural Teaching on Baptism
There are two primary “ordinances” in most evangelical Christian Churches today, which come down through time from the early New Testament Church, through the Bible.
or•di•nance \ noun
[Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French ordenance, literally, act of arranging, from Medieval Latin ordinantia, from Latin ordinant-, ordinans, present participle of ordinare to put in order — more at ordain] (14th century)
1 : an authoritative decree or direction
2 : something ordained or decreed by fate or a deity
3 : a prescribed usage, practice, or ceremony
From: Merriam-Webster, Inc: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 10th ed. Springfield, Mass., U.S.A. : Merriam-Webster, 1996, c1993
Communion
oRemembering and symbolic partaking, in fellowship with others, of the broken Body and sacrificial Blood of the sinless Christ. A celebration of solemn remembrance of the breaking of the bondage of sin and sealing the New Covenantal relationship of Grace between God and mankind, because of Christ’s redemptive death on the cross.
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19
Baptism
Baptism is an “ordinance” in Biblical Churches, though the “mode” may differ.
First we are going to look at the Scripture to see the emphasis that the Bible has on baptism. Remember, our goal, is not to set the “ground rules” ourselves about baptism, but to see what the Bible says about the “ordinance” of baptism!
1.Who Taught Us About Baptism through His Example?
Who was baptized even though He was the only One who would not have naturally needed to be baptized?
Jesus Himself was Baptized as a Personal Example.
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus chose to be baptized because it was fitting for Him “to fulfill all righteousness”. Jesus was baptized to fulfill God’s will in what He had been given to do.
We are baptized, following that same example of Christ. We may not totally understand all there is to know about baptism, but we follow our Lord, out of obedience.
What was a Normal Practice of Jesus’ Ministry for those who would be His Disciple? Jesus’ disciples were baptized.
John 3:22,23
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized…
John 4:1-3
Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples) 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria.
If we had lived in Jesus’ time, living in Judea when Jesus and His disciples came through the countryside, and we expressed interest in following Christ as His disciple, what would we be encouraged to do, along with our decision to follow Him?
Jesus would encourage us to be baptized.
What does "The Great Commission" Direct us to do after someone becomes a Disciple of Christ?
“The Great Commission” directs us to baptize those who become disciples of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
2.Other Early Church Leaders and Apostles who Taught that Believers in Christ should be Baptized
What Two key Points were the Emphasis of Peter's Message at Pentecost?
Acts 2:37,38
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “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.
1.Repentance
2.Baptism
What was the Response to Peter's Pentecost Message? Those who wanted to follow Christ were baptized.
Acts 2:40,41
40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Philip “the Deacon”, was also called Philip “the Evangelist” in Acts 21:8. What was the next step that Philip “the Evangelist” followed when folks came to believe on Christ through the Power of the Gospel he preached?
Acts 8:12
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. …
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Philip and the Ethiopian Treasurer example Baptism
Acts 8:26-38
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]
38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
The primary discussion that Philip had with the Ethiopian Treasurer was about the Christ Redemption of sinful mankind through Jesus’ suffering and death, as prophesied in Isaiah 53, not baptism, but when it came time for the Treasurer to confirm his faith in Jesus Christ, he wanted to be baptized.
Lydia's Believing Household were Baptized
Acts 16:13-15
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
The Philippian Jailer and Family were Baptized upon their Conversion
Acts 16:29-34
29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
A Synagogue Ruler and Family
Acts 18:8
8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
Ananias to Saul after His Conversion on Road to Damascus
Acts 22:
12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Do you know anyone in the New Testament who was not baptized after belief in Christ?
I know of only one – the repentant thief on the cross next to Christ. (Luke 23:39-43)
I can think of no one else in the whole of the New Testament who did not seek baptism following his or her conversion to Christ.
3.Baptism is a Symbolic Picture of what Jesus Christ accomplishes at Salvation in New Birth, through the work of the Holy Spirit
Baptism is a Symbolic Picture of New Birth
Going into the “womb” of the water and being raised out of it, could be a dynamic picture of “New Birth” into the Family of God.
John 3:3-8
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
Jesus told the woman at the well (John 4:10-14) that He would give her “living water”. He subsequently told the crowd on the last day of the feast (John 7:37-39), that if they came to Him, He would give them “living water”. John 7:39 clarified when this would be accomplished…when He sent the Holy Spirit.
I believe New Birth into the Family of God is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit – the “washing of regeneration” (see Titus 3:5 below). Baptism could easily be symbolic of such “washing” and New Birth.
Titus 3:3-6
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior…
4.Baptism is a Picture of Death to our Carnal Nature and Spiritual Life unto God
Baptism is Symbolic of Dying to ourselves and Rising with Christ
Whenever a seed is planted in the ground, it must die to itself and be transformed, or it will never give birth to new life and the abundance of that potential harvest (John 12:24). This is a principle of “new birth” in the Christian life.
Romans 6:3-11
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:12-15
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Notice the profoundness of this principle found in baptism: death to the old fleshly life, resurrection to the New Life in Christ.
Death to our Flesh, and Life through Resurrection and New Birth, unto God; dying with Christ, one day to appear with Him in Glory!
Colossians 3:1-4
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Galatians 2:19b,20
I have been crucified with Christ. 20 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
5.Baptism is a Picture of our New Covenant Relationship with God: “Putting On Christ”
Baptism, in one way, is a “sign” of our “New Testament Covenant” with Christ, similar, as Circumcision was a “sign” of the “Old Testament covenant”.
Galatians 3:23-29
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
We are Baptized into One Body, through One Spirit
1 Corinthians 12
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
What did we learn from Scripture about baptism?
•Why do we as Believers in Christ teach baptism?
oJesus Himself Exampled, Taught and Commissioned Baptism
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✴Jesus was our example and He chose to be baptized.
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✴Jesus made baptism part of His ministry, for those who were repentant of their sin and believed on Him.
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✴Jesus’ great commission to His disciples instructed them to go into the entire world, making disciples and baptizing them.
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✴Jesus’ disciples followed Christ’s instructions by baptizing those who believe in Christ.
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✴If we had been living when Christ was teaching and we wanted to follow Him, He would encourage us to be baptized!
oThere are spiritual dimensions in baptism that picture profound truths in the Christian life.
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✴Obedience to God, though we may not always fully understand all the “whys”.
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✴Personal identification with the Death and Resurrection of Christ.
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✴Being cleansed and washed from our sin, with its guilt.
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✴New Birth and Regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
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✴Dying to self and living to God.
Baptism is a time when we Confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Romans 10:9,10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Baptism then, becomes an outward confirmation of an inward decision, in obedience to Christ’s command.
Conclusion
Who then can truly be called a “Christian”?
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✦An individual becomes a Biblical Christian when one has chosen, by faith, to follow Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, when he or she has invited Jesus Christ to cleanse their sins by His Precious Blood, and he or she, by God’s Grace, has been spiritually born into God’s Family through the Holy Spirit!
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✦One who has invited Christ to be their Savior and Lord can now choose to be Baptized in obedience to Christ’s Command.