Lesson 7 – Receiving Salvation Through Baptism

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1. WHAT IS BAPTISM?

Matthew 3:11 — I baptize you with water.

Matthew 28:19 — baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is the application of water on a person in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2. WHY DO WE BAPTIZE?

Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.

Jesus commands it.

3. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.

Jesus wants everyone to be baptized.

Acts 2:41 — Those who accepted his message were baptized.

Those who confess Jesus as their Savior may be baptized.       

John 3:5,6 — Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Acts 2:38,39 — Repent and be baptized, every one of you…The promise is for you and your children.

Matthew 18:6 — These little ones who believe in me.

Since babies are born sinful, they should be baptized soon after birth. The promise is for them too, for they also can believe.

4. WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO ARE BAPTIZED?

Acts 22:16 — Be baptized and wash your sins away.

Mark 16:16 — Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.

Through Baptism God washes away our sins and gives eternal life through Christ.

Romans 6:4 — We were therefore buried with him through baptism…that we too may live a new life.

Through Baptism God gives us the power to live a God-pleasing life.

Mark 16:16 — But whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Baptism cannot save anyone who does not believe in Jesus.

5. WHO SHOULD BAPTIZE?

Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them (cf. verse 16 “the eleven disciples”).

Usually a Christian pastor will do the baptizing. However, in an emergency, anyone may baptize.

6. WHAT SHOULD OUR BAPTISM MEAN FOR US?

1 Peter 3:20,21 — In it [Noah’s ark] only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also.

Baptism should give us the confidence that God’s grace in Christ belongs also to us and to our children.

Galatians 3:27 — For all of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.

Romans 6:4 — We were therefore buried with him through baptism . . . that we too may live a new life.

Our baptism reminds us that we are children of God, and that we should live like God’s children.

SUMMARY: God the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to give us faith in Jesus. He also uses Baptism for the same purpose, but in a somewhat different way. He has told us in the Bible that he acts in Baptism to take our sins away. Thus having been baptized, we are sure that Jesus has given us eternal life. We have God’s own word for it.

Even though little children cannot understand their baptism, God acts in them too when they are baptized. He puts saving faith into their sinful hearts and takes away their guilt for Jesus’ sake. If they die at a very early age, they have through Baptism the faith that brings them into heaven. If they live a long life, their baptism is God’s pledge of forgiveness to them as long as they live.

Finally, Baptism gives us a responsibility to live close to Christ, that we may never dishonor him in our lives.

Baptism is properly performed in any place by anyone who applies water in the name of the triune God. Infants should be baptized as soon as possible, others as soon as they are ready to confess their faith that Christ has given them eternal life.

(Note: According to ancient Christian custom, parents may choose sponsors for their children. Such sponsors should be qualified to witness the baptism, to pray for the children and to assist in their Christian training.)

QUICKIE QUIZ (T or F)

  1. ___ Without Baptism no one can be saved.
  2. ___ It makes no difference whether you are baptized or not.
  3. ___ Babies who die without Baptism are damned.
  4. ___ Babies are too young to understand Baptism.
  5. ___ Babies are too young to believe in Jesus.
  6. ___ Babies should be baptized as soon as possible.
  7. ___ It is always best to have a pastor perform a baptism.
  8. ___ We lose the blessings of Baptism when we don’t act like Christians.
  9. ___ It is wrong to baptize by immersion.
  10. ___ A Catholic must be rebaptized when he becomes a Lutheran.

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY

  1. that water is necessary for a baptism?

    Matthew 3:11 — I baptize you with water.

  2. that Baptism washes away our sins?

    Acts 22:16 — Be baptized and wash your sins away.

  3. that everyone should be baptized?

    Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.

  4. that babies can believe in Jesus?

    Matthew 18:6 — These little ones who believe in me.

  5. that a baptized person should live a new life?

    Romans 6:4 — We were therefore buried with him through baptism . . . that we too may live a new life.

For more information you can watch this lesson presented as a Bible study HERE.  Please click HERE to find the complete series of Bible studies.

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