Today we are having our annual picnic and baptism. So what is baptism? Why should we get baptized? There are plenty of different views of baptism out there so today we will be clarifying what we believe at LifeBridge and why we do what we do.
What is Baptism?
- Baptism is a sign and a seal of the gospel’s effect on your life.
- Baptism…
- Reminds us of Christ’s death and resurrection for us.
- Reminds us of our unity with Christ.
- Reminds us of our responsibility to live a holy life.
- Reminds us of our unity with the church.
Romans 6:3–4 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.
Romans 6:11 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:4–5 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
1 Corinthians 12:13 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.
Why should I get baptized?
- Jesus said so
- Peter said so
- Jesus was baptized
- It’s regularly the next step after believing in Jesus
- (See Acts 2, Acts 8 and Acts 10)
Matthew 28:18–19 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,
Acts 2:38 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.
Mark 1:9–11 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
If I was baptized as a baby should I be baptized as an adult?
- Yes, I believe you should.
- Baptism is a sign and a seal of the gospel’s effect on your life.