Water Baptism | Essential Christianity
Essential Christianity
Water Baptism…
Week 1 SOUL TATTOO: Spending time in the Holy Bible is not an obligation, but a privileged way to access the heart of God.
1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV) 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
TEN MARRIAGE THOUGHTS:
10.) What we’ve come to understand is that real marriage isn’t perfect. A real marriage is two people being perfected.
“Perfection isn’t attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” Coach Vince Lombardi
9.) To succeed in marriage, you have to meet needs you don’t have. This requires a servant’s heart. The best marriages are two servants in love. The worst marriages are two selfish people in love.
8.) Treat your marriage relationship as a pledge, promise, and guarantee to God and your bride.
7.) Satan would love nothing more than to tear your marriage to pieces. God is glorified by the holy love you show your spouse; Satan is glorified by the ashes of failed marriages.
6.) If you get to the point of feeling you need to “win” the disagreement, check yourself. If you’re the winner, it means your spouse lost. And since you are one in God’s eyes, that means the marriage didn’t win.
5.) Wedding vows are not a declaration of present love but a mutually binding promise of future love.
4.) The difference between a fruitful marriage and a failed marriage is the willingness to fight. Fight for the marriage together.
3.) Marriage is a partnership of two equals under God’s authority.
2.) Tell each other the truth, but do it in love and don’t try to be the enforcer. Remember, the truth is powerful. It doesn’t need our help. Just lovingly apply it, and it will do wonders! Marriage is hard work, and it only works when people are willing to roll up their sleeves and give it their best.
1.) Marriage is hard work, and it only works when people are willing to roll up their sleeves and give it their best.
3 things I challenge you to begin praying every day:
- That God would protect your marriage.
- That each of you would see the other through God’s eyes.
- That your sexual desire would be for your spouse only.
SOUL TATOO: Baptism is like the wedding band of Christianity, it is an outward sign of an inward commitment to Jesus Christ.
Baptism is like a wedding ring:
Just as a wedding ring symbolizes your marriage, Baptism symbolizes your identification with Jesus.
Just as a wedding ring itself doesn’t make you married, Baptism doesn’t make you Christian.
Just as a wedding ring without a marriage vow means nothing, so does Baptism without faith in Jesus
Just as a wedding ring serves others to recognize you as married, Baptism would serve others that they recognize you as Christian.
Just as a wedding ring serves as a constant reminder for yourself that you are married, Baptism serves as a constant reminder that you are His: You belong to Jesus.
Just as a wedding ring is a token of your commitment to your spouse, Baptism is a token of your commitment to Jesus.
Just as a wedding ring is given before the congregation, Baptism is done before the congregation.
Galatians 6:14 (ESV) 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
SOUL TATOO: Baptism is like the wedding band of Christianity, it is an outward sign of an inward commitment to Jesus Christ.
Two sacraments: A sacrament is a visible symbol of an invisible reality.
Communion: a Christian sacrament in which bread and juice/wine are consumed as memorials of Christ’s death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and His people or as the body and blood of Christ.
Water Baptism: When a Christian is immersed in water, which identifies them with the death and burial of Jesus in their place for their sins. Coming up out of the water identifies them with the resurrection of Jesus for their salvation and new life. Altogether, baptism identifies a Christian with Jesus, the local church and the universal church.
History of Water Baptism:
- Jewish Ritual Washings.
Mark 7:1-4 (ESV) Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)
- John the Baptist’s Baptism.
Matthew 3:1-6 (ESV) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” 4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
- Apostolic Practice.
Acts 8:12-13 (ESV) 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
SOUL TATOO: Baptism is like the wedding band of Christianity, it is an outward sign of an inward commitment to Jesus Christ.
What is water baptism?
Definition: immersion in water representing spiritual cleansing.
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
1.) Baptism is following the example set by Jesus Himself.
Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV) 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
- Baptism is identification with Christ’s Death and Resurrection.
- Baptism is an act of obedience.
2.) Baptism represents the change that has occurred in our life.
1 Peter 3:21 (TLB) 21 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 because in being baptized we are turning to God and asking him to cleanse our hearts from sin.
- If our hearts have been transformed, then our actions should reveal the change.
- The symbolism is powerful, before Christ we are sinful, after Christ we are washed clean.
3.) Baptism is a public declaration of the personal commitment that we have made.
- Public Declaration of Faith.
Acts 22:16 (ESV) 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
- Initiation into the Christian Community.
Galatians 3:27 (ESV) 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
SOUL TATOO: Baptism is like the wedding band of Christianity, it is an outward sign of an inward commitment to Jesus Christ.