ONE THING: THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM

ONE THING: THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM

APRIL 12th - 14th, 2025 WEEK 5
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Galatians 3:2 (NIV) > 

2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

Galatians 3:21-28 (NLT) >

21 Well then, is there a conflict between God's law and God's promises? Absolutely not! If the law could have given us new life, we could have been made right with God by obeying it.
22 But the Scriptures have declared that we are all prisoners of sin, so the only way to receive God's promise is to believe in Jesus Christ.
23 Until faith in Christ was shown to us as the way of becoming right with God, we were guarded by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until we could put our faith in the coming Savior.
24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God.
25 But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
26 So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians--you are one in Christ Jesus.

1. Baptism is commanded by Christ himself. 

Matthew 28:19 (NIV) >

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

Mark 16:15-16 (NIV) >

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

2. Baptism is an important part of the Pattern of the Church. 

Acts 2:36-38 (NIV) >

36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
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.

Acts 22:16 (NIV) >

16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

Acts 16:29 (NIV) > 

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

3. Baptism is an Expression of Faith. 

Colossians 2:12 (NLT) >

12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

4. Baptism is a Meaningful Symbol. 

Romans 6:3-4 (NIV) > 

3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 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.

1st Peter 3:21 (NIV) >

21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

5. Baptism is a Personal Commitment. 

Mark 16:16 (NIV) >

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

John 14:15 (NIV) > 

15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

What is God speaking to you through this message? 

What is one thing you can do this week to live out the teaching?