Baptism: The Beginning of a New Life in Christ

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Topic # 2043 – baptism

Introduction:

A.     Each one of us knows someone who totally turned his or her life around.

1.      They made a life altering decision.

2.      Decision completely redirected their life.

B.      Ever know a person who once said – I have to achieve my ambition; this is the only way to achieve it. I am going where I want to go and I have no choice. I simply must do this.

1.      Then one day they realized: I do have a choice; I can choose a totally different life.

2.      The life I am living is not worth the price I am paying. It is ridiculous to live my life this way.

C.     The day we are converted to Jesus, that is what happens in our lives.

1.      Something brings us to a point of decision that says – My life cannot continue to be what it has been. I cannot keep on living life as I have lived it.

2.      I do have a choice and I can make it. And the decision is made.

3.      The conversion decision is the decision to be a new me living in a new world.

D.    For an adult who has lived a life devastated by evil, who then discovers Jesus, who learns about hope and forgiveness, often the moment of conversion centers on baptism.

1.      The conversion was not created by the act of baptism. Conversion doesn’t automatically happen because someone is immersed in water…

2.      The moment of conversion is represented by the decision leading to baptism.

a)      By the decision – we die to sin.

b)      By the decision – we enter Christ.

c)      And by faith, we choose to be buried and resurrected with Jesus Christ.

E.      Baptism is not a matter of changing religions or adding a religion to your life.

1.      It is not a matter of changing churches or adding a church to your life.

2.      It is a matter of finding a Savior, accepting His forgiveness, and trusting His resurrection.

3.      Baptism is the decision to be come a new me and live in a new world.

F.      Romans 6:4-6 discusses how baptism marks the beginning of a new life in Christ. These verses help us to understand:

1.      6:4 - baptism is a burial with Jesus. We bury the old man of sin.

2.      6:5-6 - we are raised from the water in faith – trusting in the power of God to give new life.

3.      6:5-6 – baptism points us toward the future – being resurrected with Jesus.

 

I. 6:4 – a burial with Jesus.

A.     1 Thess. 5:9-10 – Jesus died for us so that we will live together with Him.

1.      1 Pet. 3:18 - His death was sacrificial. Jesus died once for all time.

2.      Heb. 9:26-28 – put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

3.      His death allows the barrier of sin between man & God to be removed.

B.      Rom. 6:4 – Baptism looks back to Jesus, who dies and leaves behind his mortal existence before being raised in a spiritual body and an immortal existence.

1.      Language is graphic here.  Purpose behind it.

2.      The change is so drastic; it is not the cutting away of a small amount of flesh. It is death.

3.      In baptism, we die to sin.

4.      Although Jesus was buried in a dirty, physical grave – we put our old man to death by our burial in a watery grave. Baptism is a burial…in water.

C.     Baptism causes one to be justified in the sight of God.

1.      We’ve been justified through God’s grace – through redemption in Jesus.

2.      It is our faith that leads us to be baptized into Jesus.

3.      It is an obedient faith that saves – and it is by God’s grace that this is so.

 

II. 6:5-6 – we are raised from the water in faith, united with Him.

A.     These verses show the immense spiritual value of baptism.

1.      When one is brought into Christ, he has a quality of life unlike the old man of sin.

2.      Our life after baptism is described as a rebirth. It is more than just erasing a mistake or working on a few faults. It is total renewal. Not a new leaf, but a new life!

3.      The break from the old life is severe. We must burn our bridges with the world.  Our former way of living. There can be no return.

a)      This is not a new resolution, a new habit, a new phase, or new idea.

b)      It is a new life, a new creation.

B.      Gal. 2:20 – Through Jesus Paul had become a new person.

1.      5:22-24, esp. 24

2.      6:14

3.      Rom. 12:1-2

4.      The world died to Paul and Paul died to the world.

5.      The transformation process began in the waters of baptism.

C.     Baptism is the commencement of a new life.

1.      6:5 – united together with Christ…  KJV:  planted together…

2.      As a Christian grows up in the Lord, he is not perfect, but he endeavors to become stronger; more mature.

3.      The direction is toward Jesus and away from the old life of sin.

4.      Involves a desire to respond and become familiar with the most important things in life – the unseen, eternal things.

 

III. 6:5-6 – baptism points us to the future.

A.     6:5 - If we have become united with Christ in his death, we will be united with him in his resurrection

1.      Our baptism points us to the future – to the Second Coming of Christ.

2.      If we have died with Christ, then we will live with him!

a)      This ought to mark our lives with such joy, confidence, and hope!

b)      Isa. 26:1-4

c)      These are the marks of distinction that the lost are looking for!

B.      Why do we believe this?

1.      6:9 – Jesus was raised from the dead – never to die again.

2.      Death does not rule Christ!

IV. Why is what we are considering today so important?

A.     New Testament Christians know many facts about baptism.  Been drilled into us.

B.      The facts tell us:

1.      Acts 2:38 – when combined with faith & repentance baptism results in the remission of sin.

2.      Acts 22:16 – our sins are washed away in baptism.

3.      Gal. 3:27 – baptism places us in Christ and allows us to be clothed in Christ.

4.      1 Cor. 12:13 – baptism makes us a part of the body of people who belong to Christ.

C.     But sometimes by just giving the facts – to refute denominational error – we can lose sight of the significance and importance of baptism.

1.      While we may understand the facts concerning baptism – do we understand the significance of baptism?

D.    It is in baptism where we say “yes” to a relationship with God.

1.      Baptism is not just something your body does – it is something your heart does!

2.      It is in baptism where we agree to maintain a relationship with God.

3.      It is just the beginning of a new life!

Conclusion:

A.     Baptism is not a matter of changing religions or adding a religion to your life.

1.      It is not a matter of changing churches or adding a church to your life.

2.      It is a matter of finding a Savior, accepting His forgiveness, and trusting His resurrection.

3.      Baptism is the decision to be come a new me and live in a new world.

B.      Do you need to make a commitment to Jesus today?

1.      Realize what is truly important in life – the eternal things!

2.      Act upon your faith.  Jesus is the Christ. Believe in Him.

a)      Repent of your sins; Confess Him as the Son of God.

b)      Be baptized for the remission of your sins.

C.  I N V I T A T I O N