Baptismal Message

by Joni Schrock

John's Baptism---Baptism of Repentance

  • Note: Baptism is a steppingstone, not a plateau.
    Mt. 3:1-6.---Beginning text
    And the crowds that came to John were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

    When Jesus came to be baptized John protested, saying,”I should be baptized by you”. But Jesus answered in v15 saying
    ----- Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh “us” to fulfill all righteousness.

  • Note the “us”. Jesus included John in this fulfillment.

    Acts 11:16---Peter is defending his going to a gentiles' (Cornelius) house and says this of Baptism---
    Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, “John indeed baptized with “water”; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost”.
    V17) Forasmuch then as God gave them the “like gift” as he did unto us----

    Acts 19:1-6.---Paul came to Ephesus he found certain disciples knowing only the Baptism of John. Paul says in V4----
    John verily baptized with the 'baptism of repentance”, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. V5-When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. V6- And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

  • John's baptism of repentance “prepared” them for the baptism unto the Lord Jesus and the receiving of the Holy ghost (baptism)
  • Note: John baptized upon the acknowledgment of their sins and in token of their “expectancy” of the promised Messiah.
    •

    What baptism symbolizes now.

    Acts 2:38---Repent and be baptized --- in the name of Jesus, for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost.

  • The Holy Spirit begins his work by convincing men that they are sinful and in dire need of God,s saving grace.
  • Conviction of sin is necessary for repentance. This is the only portal available to experience the Lord's salvation.
  • Baptism here symbolizes two things-other symbols hinge on these.

    1. Remission (forgiveness) of sins.
    2. Reception of the Holy Spirit---and about 3000 people were baptized.

    •

  • Cornelius' household received the gift of the Holy Ghost before they were baptized. -Acts 11:15- (Actually while Peter was still preaching)

    I Pet. 3:21---The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    NIV---and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also----not the removal of dirt from your body---but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.
    This is a public declaration an act of identification---you're identifying yourself now as a child of God. You are announcing a change of allegiance—from a child of the world to a member of God's kingdom.
    Note: God has already identified you with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    3. We are baptized into his death, baptism “symbolizes death” to our old man, our bent to sin.

    Rom 6:3,4

    V4---The power of Christ's resurrection (Holy Spirit power) enables us to to live above our desire to sin.
    V11) Like wise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    4. Symbolizing washing of regeneration
    Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, (Gr. Restoration) and “renewing” of the Holy Ghost

  • Making friendly again.

    5. Membership into the body of Christ.
    I Cor. 12:12&13--- For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that “one body”, being many, are “one body”: so also is Christ. (13) For “one Spirit” are we all baptized into “one body”, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
    Eph. 4:4-6) Turn to this-----Note the absolute oneness of God's people and yet the uniqueness of each individual.

    6. Baptism symbolizes the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

  • This is an important principle that we dare not overlook.

    Acts 2: 16-21) Turn to this -consider also vv1-4
    V17 Pour out of my Spirit ---in the last days is making reference to the last age, the gospel age.
    V18 I will pour out in those days of my spirit
    V21) Whosoever shall call upon the name of the shall be saved.

    How do we receive the Holy Spirit?

    A) We must ask. Luke 11:11-13
    V13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto children;how much more shall your heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
    ----Just as a reasonable father will grant the request of a child if he sees it is something that benefits the child.


    B) We must obey. Acts 5:32--And we are witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that “obey him” Obedience then is also a requirement for possessing.
    Lip service and praise to God will do no good if there is a blatant disregard to God's commandments. You will not receive the Holy Spirit. All you can do is either fake it (as many do) or truly repent of all hypocrisy.

    C) We must repent and forsake all known sin. Prov. 28: 13---He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

  • Don't leave cobwebs hanging in corners.

    D) We must confess and make restitution fully and conscientiously---down,down, down deep, as long as God reveals. Full humility.

  • This is a hard thing to do, but yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

    E) There must be a hungering and thirsting—desiring it more than anything on earth. Ps. 73: 26---My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strenghth of my heart, and my portion forever.
    Just being in Sun. school and listening to the preacher is not enough. Each person must be in the Word and Spirit themselves.


    F) There must be absolute surrender---nothing reserved-- a perpetual yes to anything that God will choose. Eph.3:14-21---V14) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, V19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge; that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. “Without surrender you will not be filled.”


    There are extremes to which the truly enlightened Christian will avoid.

    1. The naïve and the shallow Christian can be deceived and led astray, by the the false and deceptive- so called- spiritual man. Emotional religion. 2. The blind formalist who believes and observes everything, but feels and experiences nothing. You can be strong on formalism but have a hateful heart. An unforgiving heart will not be filled—contrariwise that soul will end up in hell.

    May 21/06 Canaan

    Source: bibleviews.com

    June 7, 2006

    Last Modified: June 12, 2006