Ness Avenue Baptist Church - Clover Sites
Baptism Ness Avenue Baptist Church Romans 5:20-6:4: “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 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. “ Baptism portrays what happened to us when we became Christians. This is what happened to us: we were united to Christ. His death became our death. We died with him. And in the same instant, his life became our life. We are now living out the life of Christ in us. And all this is experienced through faith. This is what it means to be a Christian - to live in the reality of what our baptism portrays: day by day we look away from ourselves to God and say, "Because of Christ, your Son, I come to you. In him I belong to you. I am at home with you. He is my only hope of acceptance with you. I receive that acceptance anew every day. My hope is based on his death for me and my death in him. My life in him is a life of faith in you, Father. Because of him I trust your working in me and for me. The same power and glory that you used to raise him from the dead you will use to help me. In that promise of future grace I believe, and in that I hope. That is what makes my life new. O Christ, how I glory in what my baptism portrays! Thank you for dying my death for me and giving new life to me.
Understanding Baptism Baptism plays a prominent role in the New Testament church, but the question is where did it come from and what is its significance? This study will draw your attention to some key questions and scripture passages that will provoke your thinking. Baptism does not simply appear on the scene in the New Testament, it had already been practiced for years before. The Jews faith practiced baptism for two different reasons: A) It was used as a ritual for purification (making oneself clean before God) and was required before entering the Temple or before making a sacrifice. (Ritual Baptism) B) It was used as part of the process for a Gentile who desired to join the Israelite nation and faith but really didn’t want to be circumcised. (Proselyte Baptism)
John the Baptist Mark 1:4-5
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan river.
What was the focus of John’s baptism? What do you think being immersed in water symbolized for the people being baptized?
Preparing your personal testimony
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith.” Philemon 1:6 Read Acts 26 to hear Paul telling his story. Acts 26:4-11 Before Acts 26:12-18 How Acts 26:19-23 After Your answer to the following questions form your salvation testimony. Before: your life before you knew Christ. - Before you came to Christ, where were you spiritually? How did that affect you—your feelings, attitudes and relationships? - Before you became a believer, what were some ways God began drawing you to Christ? How: your conversion - What motivated you to invite Christ into your life as Lord and Saviour? - Specifically, how did you come to Christ, receive His Forgiveness and submit to His Lordship? - People who played a part in your conversion After: your new walk with Christ - What changed in your life after you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?
Jesus Christ According to the verses on the previous page, who should get baptized and what are the conditions?
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Do you have any thoughts as to why Christ commands us to get baptized and what it accomplishes?
Matthew 3:13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I a well pleased.
Obviously Jesus, being perfect, didn’t need to repent of any sin, so why do you think he might have chosen to get baptized?
Mark 10:38. 39 “You don’t know what you are
What is Jesus really referring to when he mentions baptism in these verses? In what way does baptism symbolize this?
asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.”
Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
Apostle Paul Romans 6:3-4
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
What does baptism refer to in these verses?
whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off— for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted this message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Colossians 2:12 “having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
1 Corinthians 12:13
Acts 2:36-41 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus,
Acts 8:34-38 According to this verse what role does baptism play?
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free.”
What do you think each aspect of baptism symbolizes?
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they walked along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water, Why shouldn’t I be baptized? And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Acts 16:29-34
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
Understanding Baptism Baptism plays a prominent role in the New Testament church, but the question is where did it come from and what is its significance? This study will draw your attention to some key questions and scripture passages that will provoke your thinking. Baptism does not simply appear on the scene in the New Testament, it had already been practiced for years before. The Jews faith practiced baptism for two different reasons: A) It was used as a ritual for purification (making oneself clean before God) and was required before entering the Temple or before making a sacrifice. (Ritual Baptism) B) It was used as part of the process for a Gentile who desired to join the Israelite nation and faith but really didn’t want to be circumcised. (Proselyte Baptism)
John the Baptist Mark 1:4-5
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan river.
What was the focus of John’s baptism? What do you think being immersed in water symbolized for the people being baptized?
Preparing your personal testimony
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith.” Philemon 1:6 Read Acts 26 to hear Paul telling his story. Acts 26:4-11 Before Acts 26:12-18 How Acts 26:19-23 After Your answer to the following questions form your salvation testimony. Before: your life before you knew Christ. - Before you came to Christ, where were you spiritually? How did that affect you—your feelings, attitudes and relationships? - Before you became a believer, what were some ways God began drawing you to Christ? How: your conversion - What motivated you to invite Christ into your life as Lord and Saviour? - Specifically, how did you come to Christ, receive His Forgiveness and submit to His Lordship? - People who played a part in your conversion After: your new walk with Christ - What changed in your life after you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?
Jesus Christ According to the verses on the previous page, who should get baptized and what are the conditions?
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Do you have any thoughts as to why Christ commands us to get baptized and what it accomplishes?
Matthew 3:13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I a well pleased.
Obviously Jesus, being perfect, didn’t need to repent of any sin, so why do you think he might have chosen to get baptized?
Mark 10:38. 39 “You don’t know what you are
What is Jesus really referring to when he mentions baptism in these verses? In what way does baptism symbolize this?
asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.”
Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
Apostle Paul Romans 6:3-4
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
What does baptism refer to in these verses?
whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off— for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted this message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Colossians 2:12 “having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
1 Corinthians 12:13
Acts 2:36-41 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus,
Acts 8:34-38 According to this verse what role does baptism play?
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free.”
What do you think each aspect of baptism symbolizes?
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they walked along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water, Why shouldn’t I be baptized? And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Acts 16:29-34
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
