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Today’s Lesson: Baptism - Why

So far we have learned about, The Validity of the Bible, God’s Love and Grace, Atonement, and Repentance.

All that sets us up nice for today’s lesson and next weeks.

As we have shown in previous lessons, Peter’s first sermon instructs us to:

1) repent, 2) be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and 3) be filled with the Holy Ghost.

I think of Acts 2:38 as the bridge. By crossing over it we gain access to God. It arches over the sin barrier. When I obey the prescription, the price that Jesus paid for my sins on Calvary is appropriated to my personal salvation account. He said in_____ its (salvation) not of works. He didn’t say it is without works! Works are not the source. It isn’t earned by works, but it is applied through works.

“Alpha”-Second Edition 2011 Teacher CopyCompiled By Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston

Alpha 5The Discipleship Process for Worship And Praise Community Church

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These three steps are extremely important and it’s crucial that each of you fully understand exactly what the steps are and exactly what they mean.

If you take a trip to Israel and tour the ancient land where Jesus lived and ministered, you’ll discover that the world of Bible included the concept of ritual bathing. Men and women would wash ceremonially to cleanse themselves from the dirt and defilement of the outside world. Jesus and his disciples came preaching and calling people to be baptized in water to symbolize the cleansing that takes place through their faith. In the Great Commission, Jesus would command his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…

This Great Commission is found in:Mt. 28:18-20, Mk. 16:15-18 & Lu. 24:46-48.

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. NKJV

Mark 16:15-18 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He “Alpha”-Second Edition 2011 Teacher CopyCompiled By Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston

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who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." NKJV

Luke 24:46-49 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. KJV

The Bible presents seven illustrations to help us understand water baptism.

CreationThe earth itself was the first recipient of baptism, and to be exact, the atmosphere (firmament).

2 Peter 3:5-6


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For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. NKJV

Gen 1:6-8 Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. NKJV

The flood The earth was baptized.

1 Peter 3:20-21 Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism(not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, NKJV

Crossing the Red Sea


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In the same way the Israelites were in slavery to the Egyptians, we were all slaves of sin. The Israelites were freed from their bondage by passing through the red sea. Baptism pictures the freedom from sin that Jesus purchased for us on the cross.

1 Cor. 10:1-5 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. NKJV

Old Testament Tabernacle & TempleThe Old Testament Tabernacle & Temple revolves around three predominant ministrations on three major articles of furniture.They are, the altar of sacrifice where the animals died, the Brazen Laver where the priest washed the blood of the sacrifice from his hands and the Ark of the Covenant where the visible manifestation of the Spirit of God (the Glory) hovered.

See diagram attachment.

Remember our lesson on ATONEMENT through the BLOOD? Repentance is killing the sacrificing and Baptism is the Laver of Water for washing! The Blood was in the “Alpha”-Second Edition 2011 Teacher CopyCompiled By Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston

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Water! Atonement is accomplished in our own personal spiritual Tabernacle through the New Testament Gospel application.

Circumcision We will look more closely at this in a few moments.

Baptism of John the BaptistJohn was the first to baptize for the remission of sins and was indorsed by Jesus to the point of baptizing him!

Matt 3:1-6, 15 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 15 Jesus replies, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Death, Burial and Resurrection in the New Testament Gospel Experience.Paul compares Christian baptism to a burial. In order to be buried, a person must first die. In the same way, the prerequisite for baptism is death to sin. After we are buried in baptism, then we are raised to live a new life.

Rom 6:1-4


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What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 Because if we have been planted with Christ, dying as He died, we will also be raised to life. NKJV

When we are baptized we identify with the burial, of Jesus Christ.

In all of these examples Water Baptism Points to a New life in Christ.Each of these pictures of water baptism show the old life being put away and the new life emerging. In baptism we publicly identify with what Christ did for us on the cross. In baptism we put away the old life of sin and begin a new life of obedience to Christ.

Next let’s talk about the Need for baptism. John 3.5 very clearly tells us just how important it is: let’s read:1. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:“Alpha”-Second Edition 2011 Teacher CopyCompiled By Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston

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2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Folks, it just does not get much more plain and clear than that. You MUST be born of the water and of the Spirit . . . or you CANNOT enter into the Kingdom of God.

Baptism is an Entrance

We must be baptized. This is not an idea of our church, this is a directive from God’s Word.

Look in your notes at I Peter 3.21 (TLB translation)…In baptism we show that we have been saved from death and doom by the resurrection of Christ; not because our bodies are washed clean by the water, but “Alpha”-Second Edition 2011 Teacher CopyCompiled By Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston

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because in being baptized we are turning to God and asking him to cleanse our hearts from sin.

Baptism is a cleansing issue.

Christianity, as you and know it today, originated with a man named Abraham.

God called and chose Abraham to begin a nation of chosen people – those people became the Nation of Israel – God’s chosen people. (reminder: Christianity came out of the Jewish religion)

God made a “promise” to Abraham or a “covenant” with him. God said if you will do what I’m asking you to do I’ll bless you incredibly - that covenant was one of the most highly honored agreements in existence.

Now accompanying this covenant or this promise was a very specific ritual: Genesis 17.13 tells us about it . . .He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Now we are all adults in here, so I can just tell you plainly here – circumcision was a visible mark on the male


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reproductive organ of a Jewish male to signify that he was separated unto God. Unless this ceremony was performed, men could not become a part of the Covenant community – they could not enjoy the blessings of Abraham’s Covenant.

Today, there is a new sign of circumcision, it is the circumcision of the heart – let’s look at some Bible to support what we are learning:

Because the natural Jews / Israelites were circumcised in the flesh, we as spiritual Jews / New Testament Israelites are circumcised in the heart.

Colossians 2.11-12In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism . . .

Paul says baptism is a circumcision, not done by human hands, but a spiritual circumcision done by Christ. It is a “putting off” of the sinful nature by faith in the work of Christ.Romans 2.28-29 Speaks of “circumcision of the heart, in the spirit,”

So, “Baptism” Is New Testament Circumcision. LOOK-


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1. Old Testament Circumcision was an Identifying mark.2. Old Testament Circumcision happened on the 8th day.3. Old Testament Circumcision was the removal of the “unclean” flesh.4. The child was named on that day, the day of circumcision.

Spiritual Correlations:1. New Testament Baptism is an Identifying mark of distinction!2. 8 is the biblical number of new beginnings. Just like O.T. circumcision, New Testament baptism is a new beginning.3. Baptism removes the uncleanness from our

hearts. 4. A new name is given to us in baptism, JESUS!

James 2:7 Eph. 3:15

(In baptism, the minister buries the dead and delivers the new baby all in one action! He puts down a corpse and brings up an infant!)Abram had been following God, walking by faith for 24 years since his 1st call in Genesis 12:1. All this time he anticipated God’s promise to Him of many children. Some time earlier in chapter 15 God had announced His COVENANT with him. Now in chapter 17 he is 99, his wife is 89 and God calls for him and all males in his home and lineage to be circumcised.


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God promises to ESTABLISH His Covenant and to make it EVERLASTING!!!

When he is circumcised, his name is changed and his wife’s. Abram to Abr-ah-am, saria to sar-ah.

After a 90 day recovery in which time God healed her womb and his seed, she conceives and “Isaac” the promise is born.

If Baptism is Circumcision, would it be safe to say that it establishes our relationship with God and brings permanence to it?! In other words,

an overture to God of costly public commitment, Which brought about, an increasing of covenant.

Baptism is where you cut ties with the world and enter into an established COVENENT with God and His body the Church.

Essentially, it is a commitment ceremony!

The Meaning of baptism - for the remission of sins.“Alpha”-Second Edition 2011 Teacher CopyCompiled By Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston

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(this is made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ – no other way)

Re*mis"sionThe act of remitting, surrendering, resigning, or giving up. Discharge from that which is due; relinquishment of an obligation; pardon of transgression; release from penalty, debt, etc.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your sins . . . those things that will keep you out of heaven are spiritually washed away upon baptism –

they are no longer there to keep you from getting close to God or living with Him forever in heaven! Isn’t that powerful. THAT is the meaning of baptism – being washed clean and being made new!!

Acts 2.38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

He erases our sins from our record, and He cancels its penalty. Our sins are washed away forever, burying them forever

Acts 22.16“Alpha”-Second Edition 2011 Teacher CopyCompiled By Wade Haskins & Anthony Langston

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And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Now allow me to make one thing clear – what did we talk about last week? “Repentance” – well that is why I talked about that last week and baptism this week . . . without repentance, baptism is merely an empty symbol. But with repentance, the Bible says that baptism remits sin, removes it.Another great thing about being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is the fact that we “put Him on” upon baptism.

Galatians 3.27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Think about it – you get to ‘wear’ Him everyday – but that also means you need to act acceptable – you need to look acceptable – you need to talk acceptable . . . amen?

In Summary.


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Today’s Lesson is: Baptism,-WHY1.Because it is commanded. (see pg. 1&2)

2.Because it accomplishes Atonement. Repentance brings forgiveness and Baptism brings cleansing. (see pg. 3)

3.Because it fulfils all Righteousness. (see pg. 3)

4.Because it is a burial of your old life. Your old ways, old will, old philosophies, emotions and sins are buried with Christ in His death, at Baptism. (see pg.4)

5.Because it is an entrance or a door to more of God. (see pg. 4)

6.Because it is spiritual circumcision. Like Abraham, my relationship with God to be more established through Baptism. (see pg. 5&6)

7.I am given a new name in baptism. The name of Jesus.

(see pg.6)

8.I get into Christ in baptism. I put Him on! (see pg.7)


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Personal Application - Have you repented of your sins?- Have you put your trust in Christ alone for salvation?- Have you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit?- Have you been baptized in water since you repented?- If not, what are you waiting for?

The Bible verses we have been reading use such terms as:

> “That same day”> “Why tarriest thou”> “Straightway”The point is to act now –


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