What Baptism Is Not

INTRODUCTION:

I. Baptism plays a beautiful role in God's plan for redeeming man...

A. It symbolizes, after one has become dead to sin through repentance, a burial with Christ and a resurrection to a new life.

B. It is the consummating act of obedience that secures for man heaven's blessings of forgiveness of sins and a functioning position in the body of Christ.

II. However, baptism is one of the most controversial of religious topics. And, due to

the importance that the Bible places upon baptism, we must make sure that we

study and know the truth about it.

III. But, for all of baptism's importance, there are some things that it is not and does not do. I want you to please study some of these things with me...

DISCUSSION:

I. BAPTISM IS NOT SPRINKLING...

A. Many have the mistaken idea that sprinkling is water baptism. (Rooted in the total hereditary depravity doctrine of Calvinism).

B. BAPTIZO (Gr.) "immerse, submerge, dip, overwhelm"

C. Baptism is a burial... Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12

D. Baptism involves going "into" the water, and coming up "out of" the water... Acts 8:38,39

II. BAPTISM IS NOT AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD SALVATION...

A. Many have the mistaken concept that baptism is merely an outward

sign to the world that I have been saved. they believe that an individual is first saved and later baptized.

B. Bible baptism, though, is always pictured as coming before salvation...Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21.s

C. The is why the Bible stresses the urgency of baptism... Acts 2:41; 8:36; 16:33; 22:16

D. If you were baptized "to show you were already saved" you were mistaken and were baptized for the wrong reason. YOU YET NEED TO BE BAPTIZED SCRIPTURALLY!

III. BAPTISM IS NOT SALVATION INSURANCE...

A. Some have the mistaken idea that being baptized automatically

insures eternal salvation. [Many who may not verbalize this position act

like it]. But, baptism is just the beginning of our life as a Christian. 

B. Baptism does not miraculously change a person's character... Acts

8:9-23 (that's a life-time process)

C. Baptism will not insure spiritual growth... 1 Pet. 2:2

D. Baptism will not prevent temptation... Matt. 3:16-4:1

IV. BAPTISM DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR REPENTANCE...

A. When one has been immersed and did not understand why, or was immersed for the wrong purpose, there is a need to be immersed scripturally for the proper purpose. Thus, in some cases, it is needful that one be baptized again.

B. But, a second baptism must not be viewed as a way for one already a Christian to wipe the slate clean and start over, circumventing repentance and God's second law of pardon (sometimes people find it easier to be baptized again than to repent!)

V. BAPTISM IS NOT WATER SALVATION

A. Num. 21:8-9 was not snake salvation...

B. 2 Kgs. 5:1-14 was not "water" salvation...

C. 1 Pet. 3:20-21 is not "water" salvation...

CONCLUSION:

I. No one part of God's plan should be over-emphasized, nor under-emphasized.  Baptism included.

II. However, baptism occupies a beautiful place in God's redemptive plan.  And, if you

are not a Christian, you need to be baptized!

- - Jim Deason

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