Think about some of the things you’ve read about baptism this week:
Jesus set the example for us and was baptized to start His ministry. (Matthew 3:16)
Baptism is an expected response after you decide to turn from sin and follow Jesus. When asked what to do in response to the good news about Jesus, Peter said, “Repent and be baptized . . . ” (Acts 2:38) 3,000 were baptized that day (v. 41).
Baptism takes place after you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. Notice these three examples: It says of the Samaritans, “when they believed . . . they were baptized.” (Acts 8:12) Belief then baptism. Simon “believed and was baptized.” (Acts 8:13) Belief then baptism. The Ethiopian heard about Jesus and his immediate response was “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” (Acts 8:36) Belief then baptism.
If you believe in Jesus and want to follow Him, your first step of obedience is to be baptized. Instead of putting baptism off, the real question should be, “Why shouldn’t I be baptized.” Do you believe in Jesus? Have you asked Him to forgive your sins? Then you should be baptized in response to that decision. The sequence in the Bible is always – they believed and then they were baptized.
We have reserved the Holiday Inn Express indoor pool for Sunday, September 27 at 12:00. Immediately after church, we will pack things up and head to the Holiday Inn to baptize anyone who has turned to Jesus and wants to follow Him.
Please reply to this and let me know if you are interested. If you have more questions, reply and I have a more complete explanation that I can email you.
There’s water. Why shouldn’t you be baptized?
Very cool stuff! It's not something that I hear very much, that baptism is often an immediate response in the Bible. Too often it's a mere afterthought.
ReplyDeleteBaptism represents a public declaration that we are now followers of Jesus, of his life, ministry, and teachings. It represents our identification with Him in his death and resurrection. It is a commitment; a commitment by the baptized to follow Christ and submit to His leadership, and a commitment by the rest of the church in "teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16)