ORDINANCES-BAPTISM
Aug 6th, 2023. Pst.Silas.
Gen 7:20 The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits. 21 Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. 23 Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out.
· Before the new covenant, immersion brought death from sin.
Jeremiah 31:31-35 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to[a] them,[b]”declares the Lord.33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord, ‘because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, “declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Luke 22:19-20 “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’
Matthew 28:19-20 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
· The covenant of salvation by grace is sealed by his death, burial, and resurrection,
What is the Meaning of Baptism?
1. It illustrates Christ’s DEATH, BURRIAL, and resurrection Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Romans 6:4 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.
· When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus.
Colossians 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
It illustrates my NEW LIFE as a Christian.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
· When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand-new person inside. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
· Baptism sets on a journey to seek to be like Christ through faith and obedience.
Galatians 3:27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Baptism doesn’t make you a believer—it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring—it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.
2. It demonstrates my INCORPORATION into Christ’s body, the church.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
· We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which Christ has the final say in everything.(This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.)
· There are church goers and Christian admirers, who have not entered into this obedience of salvation and baptism.
Why Should I Be Baptized?
1. To follow the example set by JESUS CHRIST.
Mark 1:7-9 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”
· John introduces Jesus in a very beautiful way, and a glorious way. But Jesus appears minutes after this and does something john didn’t expect. He Gets baptized.
Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
· It is proper for the church to do this to accomplish all righteousness.
· He saw it proper to be baptized before he began his ministry.
· He saw it proper for Paul to be baptized before he was sent to the gentiles Acts 9:18.
· It was proper for the Ethiopian eunuch to be baptized before he brought the gospel to Africa.
2. Because Christ COMMANDED it.
Matthew 28:19-20 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
· Baptism and the holy communion are the only two ordinances that Jesus commanded the church to observe always.
Luke 22:19-20 “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’”
· The two ordinances are the ordinances of a new covenant. The covenant of salvation by grace. Jeremiah 31:31-35, Ezekiel 36:26-29.
3. It shows that I really am a BELIEVER.
Acts 18:8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
· It’s a public declaration of our faith.
WHY Be Baptized By Immersion?
1. Because JESUS was baptized that way.
Mathew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.
2. Every baptism in the BIBLE was by immersion.
Acts 8:38-39 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
John 3:23 Now John also was baptized at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.
· The word “baptize” means to SUBMERGE INTO water. The Greek word baptize means “to immerse and dip under water.”
3. Baptism is the best symbol of a burial and resurrection!
· The founders from different denominations agree with the statement above.
MARTIN LUTHER: “I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.”
JOHN CALVIN: “The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.”
JOHN WESLEY: “We are buried with him, alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by immersion.”
THE NEW CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: “The biblical form of baptism was unquestionably immersion. In the Catholic church, immersion seems to have prevailed until the twelfth century.”
Who Should Be Baptized?
Every person who has BELIEVED in Christ.
Acts 2:41 Many of them believed his message and were baptized.
Acts 8:13 Simon believed in Christ and was baptized.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
At GAEC, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
Some churches practice a “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed. This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.
At GAEC, it is our faith and believe that every believer should be baptized the way Jesus demonstrated, even though many of us were “confirmed” as children AND others were baptized in many different ways including being anointed on the forehead with oil, water poured upon or walked across flames of fire.
When Should I Be Baptized? -“AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BELIEVED!”
ACTS 2:41 Those who believed . . . were baptized . . . that day! “
Acts 8:36-38 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] [a] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him .
· There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect,” you’ll never feel “good enough!”
Practical Questions
1. Can my family be baptized together?
Yes! If each family member fully understands the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation. It is a wonderful expression of commitment.
Young children who wish to be baptized can attend a baptism class which will be held regularly throughout the year through God’s Awe Exaltation Kids Ministry. The children must be old enough to understand the message of salvation.
However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts undue pressure on them and delays your obedience.
2. What should I wear when I am baptized?
In the future we will have GAEC baptism T-shirts that you will wear over your swimsuit or any clothes you feel comfortable in.
3. Will I have to say anything?
There will be an opportunity for testimonies right before baptism.
We encourage you to invite all your relatives and friends to attend your baptism! You will be given a photo and certificate of your baptism.
4. Special needs?
· All our pastors can perform a private baptism in special circumstances such as end-of-life commitment to Christ and request for baptism.
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