Scripture Reading: Titus 3:4-8

The Appeals of Baptism

Intro.

1. When a person knows he is in trouble he cries out for help (Peter, “Lord, save me!” Matt. 14:30).

a. We learn we are in spiritual trouble (lost in sin) by the gospel of Christ, 1 Cor. 1:21.

b. Sinners learn of grace, faith, and salvation by the gospel, Col. 1:5-6.

2. Gospel shows the role of baptism in our salvation from sin as an earnest appeal of faith made to God to be saved by His grace (Eph. 2:8-9).

I. BAPTISM IS AN APPEAL. (plea, petition, call)

A. It is an Appeal Made by Sinners to God, Acts 2:21.

1. Call on the name of the Lord: To invoke, to cry out; to call upon for help (Rom. 10:12-14).

2. Explanation given and obeyed (saved), Acts 2:36-41.

B. Without Making this Appeal You Will Not be Saved, Mark 16:16.

1. Acts 2:38 (eis): towards, in order to remission of sins.

2. Acts 16:30-34: Believe to be saved: Heard, believed, repented, baptized, rejoiced, having believed in God.

II. THE APPEALS OF BAPTISM.

A. An Appeal for Salvation, Mark 16:16 (It shall be so, 1 Pet. 3:21).

B. An Appeal for Mercy, Titus 3:4-7. (God’s grace)

1. A plea for forgiveness, Acts 2:38.

2. A plea to be saved from death, Acts 16:30-34.

3. A plea to wash away sins, Acts 22:16.

4. A plea to enter the kingdom, John 3:3-5; Acts 8:12.

C. It is an Appeal of Faith, Acts 8:30-38; Mark 16:15-16. (Our faith)

1. “Your faith has saved you,” Luke 7:48-50 (Acts 18:8).

2. Lydia had shown herself faithful to the Lord, Acts 16:14-15.

3. Obedient faith, Rom. 6:17-18.

D. An Appeal of a Good Conscience, 1 Pet. 3:21. (“Inquiry…avowal of consecration to God after inquiry”, RWP; “earnest seeking, craving, an intense desire”, Thayer)

-A new creature, purged of sin, 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Pet. 1:22-23.

E. An Appeal for New Life, Rom. 6:3-4.

1. To reach His death, Rom. 6:3.

2. To die to sin, Rom. 6:4 (6).

3. The circumcision of Christ: Cutting away sin, Col. 2:11-13.

F. An Appeal to be United with Christ, Rom. 6:4-5.

1. Relationship/fellowship: Put on Christ, Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:26-27.

2. In the name of: Authority/Relationship, Matt. 28:19; Acts 19:3-5.

G. An Appeal that Justifies God, Luke 7:29-30.

1. By their obedience in baptism they declared God was just in what He required of them; they accepted the will of God, Matt. 3:15.

2. Those who were not baptized rejected (resisted) God’s will, Luke 7:30.

Conclusion

1. Now it is left for you to decide whether you have the faith to appeal to God for His grace and be saved in Jesus Christ:

a. If you believe, you may, Acts 8:36-37 (Heb. 11:6).

b. Do not wait any longer, Acts 22:16.

c. If you receive God’s word you will be baptized to be saved, Acts 2:40-41.

2. Obey Jesus in faith and be saved by God’s grace, Heb. 5:9; Eph. 2:8-9 (1 Pet. 1:22-23)

By: Joe R. Price

Posted June 13, 2022