Us With Jesus: Ministry

UWJ|TT27: Fresh Start

1. Is baptism important to an individual?

Yes.

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned." Mark 16:16.

2. What example did Jesus leave us about baptism and its importance?

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?'But Jesus, answering, said to him, Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed him." Matthew 3:13-15.

3. Why was Jesus baptized?

"For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps." 1 Peter 2:21.

4. Prior to His ascension to heaven, what commission did Jesus give His disciples?

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19,20.

5. What mode of baptism did the early church practice?

"As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, 'Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized? He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away; and the eunuch didn't see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:36,38,39.

NOTE: The word "baptize" comes from the Greek verb baptizo, which implies immersion, since it is derived from the verb bapto, meaning "to dip in or under."-See Albrecht Oepke, "Bapto, Baptizo." in Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Kittel, trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids: WM B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1964), vol. 1, p. 529.

6. At the time of the flood, by what were Noah and his family saved?

"God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you- not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 3:20,21.

7. What happens to us when we have been baptized into Christ?

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27.

8. What does baptism mean and symbolize?

*Christ's death and resurrection

"Or don't you know that allwe who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection ...." Romans 6:3-5.

*Being dead to sin and alive to God

"Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:11.

*Covenant relationship

"In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:11,12.

*Consecration to Christ's service

"I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit." Matthew 3:11.

"Even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." Acts 10:38.

*Entrance into the church

"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.... The Lord added to the assemblydaybyday those who were beingsaved."Acts 2:41, 47.

9. Is it wrong to be baptized more than once?

No.

"While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples. He said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They said to him, 'No, we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' He said, 'Into what then were you baptized?' They said, 'Into John's baptism.' Paul said, John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 19:1-5.

10. How does the baptism experience affect our outlook on life and Christian living?

"Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and therock was Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.

11. What are the fruits of baptism?

*A life lived for Christ

"If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth." Colossians 3:1,2.

*A life lived for Christ's church

"You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5.

*A life lived in and for the world

"I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with allpatience and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:1,2.

12. What will those saved be willing to do?

"These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb." Revelation 14:4.

"Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city." Revelation 22: 14.

NOTE: Today, God anxiously waits for you to enter into the abundant life He has so graciously provided for you. "Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16.