Daryle Williams

Baptism

BAPTISM

Jesus’ Words

  • Matthew 28:19 (NLT), Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

  • Mark 16:16 (NLT), Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

  • John 3:5 (NLT), Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”

The Apostle Peter’s message

  • Acts 2:38 (NLT), Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

  • Acts 10:47-48 (NLT), “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”  So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Peter 3:21 (NLT), And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Luke’s Message

  • Acts 2:41 (NLT), Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

  • Acts 9:18 (NLT), Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

  • Acts 16:15 (NLT), She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

  • Acts 16:33 (NLT), Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

Philip’s Message

  • Acts 8:12 (NLT), “But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.”

  • Acts 8:35-38 (NLT), “So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.  As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?’  He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”

Ananias’ Message

  • Acts 22:14-16 (NLT),  “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak.  For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.  What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’”

The Apostle Paul’s Message

  • Acts 19:1-5 (NLT), While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.  “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.  “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.  “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked.  And they replied, “The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

  • Romans 6:3-5 (NLT), Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.

  • Galatians 3:27 (NLT), And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

  • Colossians 2:12 (NLT), For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Conclusion

It is clear from these passages that baptism is a biblical command and that it should be done in the obedience of faith.  

 When being baptized, we should remember that there is nothing special about the water.  What makes baptism special is our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Which is why Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV), “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

 Also, there is great promise that comes with baptism.  In the above passages we see that baptism is connected with new birth, removal of sin, a cleansed conscience and the covering of Christ’s righteousness.  In these promises, we can believe and rejoice.

 

If you would like to know more about baptism or to schedule a time to be baptized, contact Pastor Daryle Williams at dwilliams@fcfnc.com.