Things Baptism Will Not Do

2000038

Subject: first principles

Introduction:

A. Preachers often preach on the importance of baptism.

1. This is the way it ought to be.

2. Mk. 16:15-16 – it is necessary unto salvation.

3. See also Jn. 3:3-5; Acts 22:16

B. Sometimes it is important to know what some things baptism will not do!

C. If we have a solid understanding of what baptism will not do

1. Then we will be able to avoid the misuse of the Biblical word baptism.

2. Let’s go through some points tonight that discuss what Baptism will not do.

I. Baptism will not Produce Faith.

A. Rom. 10:17 – how is faith generated?

1. From hearing the word.

a) Whether we read the Bible or hear the gospel preached.

b) Comes through the teaching of the gospel.

2. Acts 15:7 – Peter talked about how Cornelius & family heard gospel THEN believed.

B. We must understand that if a person desires to be baptized – that it is his faith motivating him. A person needs to be baptized because of his faith.

C. One’s faith will prompt His obedience to the gospel call.

II. Baptism will not Prevent Temptation.

A. Some are discouraged to find themselves still facing temptations after baptism.

1. Some: tell me that they won’t be baptized b/c they won’t life perfectly afterward.

2. Mt. 3:13-17 – Jesus baptized by John. What happened next?

a) Led into wilderness to be tempted – Mt. 4.

b) Of course he overcame the temptation successfully.

B. Must know that temptations will come AFTER baptism.

1. 1 Pet. 1:6-7 – trails will come; tests of faith will come.

2. This to make us better Christians.

C. Must resolve that after baptism that we will fight temptation earnestly and wholeheartedly.

1. God will help us through the temptation!

2. 1 Cor. 10:13 – are you looking for the way of escape from temptation?

III. Baptism Will not Change Character.

A. Baptism alone will not change one’s character!

1. Acts 18:8 – Corinthians = sinners & were baptized.

2. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – by time he wrote this letter they still working on it!

a) Had to continue working on their character change.

b) May take years of steadfast effort.

c) But this is done through the power of the gospel!

B. 2 Pet. 1:5-8 – change comes by working at adding to one’s faith.

C. Phil. 4:8-9 – change comes by meditating on godly things.

1. Output is determined by input.

IV. Baptism will not solve All Your Problems.

A. TV preachers: send me your $$$ and all problems go away.

1. Financial wealth; good health; domestic success is NOT guaranteed just b/c one is baptized!

2. Many Christians struggle w/the above problems and have been baptized for many years.

3. Wonder then: why worth it? B/c the Christian has something the world doesn’t – hope; a relationship w/the father!

B. Mt. 6:33 – help w/today’s problems come through having one’s priorities in the right place – coupled w/patience.

V. Baptism will not make Heaven Sure.

A. Although one will not go to heaven w/o being baptized:

1. Heaven will be for those who live faithfully after baptism.

2. Not a one way ticket to heaven!

C. Some preach that once one saved – they can never lose their salvation.

1. Titus 2:11-13 – Bible teaches that faithfulness in life/worship is required AFTER baptism!

2. Jhn. 4:24 – must worship him in spirit & in truth.

Conclusion:

A. Baptism is just a beginning.

B. Rev. 2:10 – we to be faithful unto death in order to receive the crown of righteousness.

C. Have you gotten your start in Christ through baptism?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Things Baptism Will Not Do 2000038 Subject: first principles Introduction: A. Preachers often preach on the importance of baptism. 1. This is the way it ought to be. 2. Mk. 16:15-16 – it is necessary unto salvation. 3. See also Jn. 3:3-5; Acts 22:16 B. Sometimes it is important to know what some things baptism will not do! C. If we have a solid understanding of what baptism will not do 1. Then we will be able to avoid the misuse of the Biblical word baptism. 2. Let’s go through some points tonight that discuss what Baptism will not do. I. Baptism will not Produce Faith. A. Rom. 10:17 – how is faith generated? 1. From hearing the word. a) Whether we read the Bible or hear the gospel preached. b) Comes through the teaching of the gospel. 2. Acts 15:7 – Peter talked about how Cornelius & family heard gospel THEN believed. B. We must understand that if a person desires to be baptized – that it is his faith motivating him. A person needs to be baptized because of his faith. C. One’s faith will prompt His obedience to the gospel call. II. Baptism will not Prevent Temptation. A. Some are discouraged to find themselves still facing temptations after baptism. 1. Some: tell me that they won’t be baptized b/c they won’t life perfectly afterward. 2. Mt. 3:13-17 – Jesus baptized by John. What happened next? a) Led into wilderness to be tempted – Mt. 4. b) Of course he overcame the temptation successfully. B. Must know that temptations will come AFTER baptism. 1. 1 Pet. 1:6-7 – trails will come; tests of faith will come. 2. This to make us better Christians. C. Must resolve that after baptism that we will fight temptation earnestly and wholeheartedly. 1. God will help us through the temptation! 2. 1 Cor. 10:13 – are you looking for the way of escape from temptation? III. Baptism Will not Change Character. A. Baptism alone will not change one’s character! 1. Acts 18:8 – Corinthians = sinners & were baptized. 2. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – by time he wrote this letter they still working on it! a) Had to continue working on their character change. b) May take years of steadfast effort. c) But this is done through the power of the gospel! B. 2 Pet. 1:5-8 – change comes by working at adding to one’s faith. C. Phil. 4:8-9 – change comes by meditating on godly things. 1. Output is determined by input. IV. Baptism will not solve All Your Problems. A. TV preachers: send me your $$$ and all problems go away. 1. Financial wealth; good health; domestic success is NOT guaranteed just b/c one is baptized! 2. Many Christians struggle w/the above problems and have been baptized for many years. 3. Wonder then: why worth it? B/c the Christian has something the world doesn’t – hope; a relationship w/the father! B. Mt. 6:33 – help w/today’s problems come through having one’s priorities in the right place – coupled w/patience. V. Baptism will not make Heaven Sure. A. Although one will not go to heaven w/o being baptized: 1. Heaven will be for those who live faithfully after baptism. 2. Not a one way ticket to heaven! C. Some preach that once one saved – they can never lose their salvation. 1. Titus 2:11-13 – Bible teaches that faithfulness in life/worship is required AFTER baptism! 2. Jhn. 4:24 – must worship him in spirit & in truth. Conclusion: A. Baptism is just a beginning. B. Rev. 2:10 – we to be faithful unto death in order to receive the crown of righteousness. C. Have you gotten your start in Christ through baptism? D. I N V I T A T I O N