The Bible Answers Our Questions about Baptism (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Introduction:
1. In these passages, 7 very important subjects are listed. 2. Our lesson is a study of "the one baptism" mentioned in vs.5. 3. Our approach is based on some advice given in our bulletin article. a. Six basic questions will help us in analyzing a passage. b. Those questions are what, why, when, how, where, and who. c. These questions will also help us in studying various subjects. 4. "The Bible answers our questions about baptism." 5. Let us begin by asking . . . Discussion: I. WHAT IS BAPTISM?
A. Baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord's will (Matthew 28:19-20). B. In addition to being an act of obedience, baptism is a likeness of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3-7). II. WHY SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
A. A person should be baptized because Christ commanded it (Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:15). B. A person must be baptized in order to receive some special benefits, including: 1. salvation (1 Peter 3:21) 2. the "remission" [removal] of sins (Acts 2:38) 3. having sins washed away (Acts 22:16) 4. getting into Christ (Galatians 3:27) 5. being added to the 1 body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:47). III. HOW IS A PERSON TO BE BAPTIZED?
A. Baptize: to dip, to plunge, to submerge, to immerse B. Baptism is a "burial" (Colossians 2:12). C. Baptism is a burial in water (Acts 8:38). IV. WHERE SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
A. A person may be baptized anywhere there is plenty of water (Acts 8:36-38). B. (John 3:23) John baptized in a certain area because "there was much water there." V. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
A. Those who gladly receive God's word (Acts 2:41). B. This includes men and women (Acts 8:12). C. Examples: 1. about 3,000 on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41) 2. people in Samaria (Acts 8:12) 3. the eunuch of Ethiopia (Acts 8:26-39) 4. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:18) 5. Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:48) 6. Lydia and her household (Acts 16:14-15) 7. the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:33) 8. 12 men in Ephesus (Acts 19:5).
VI. WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
A. We should be baptized when we want to receive the Lord's forgiveness. B. Prior to baptism, we must: 1. believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 16:16; John 8:24) 2. repent of our sins (Acts 2:38) 3. confess our faith in Christ (Romans 10:10). C. (2 Corinthians 6:2) "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Conclusion:
1. The Lord has paid the price to make salvation from sin possible. 2. His Word teaches us how to receive salvation. 3. The rest is up to us -- how will we respond to the Gospel?
