Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:1-5

Part 3

Water Baptism:

Who is to be Baptized?

Intro.

1. Eph. 4:5: One baptism – Matt. 28:19.

2. Have established from Scripture what baptism is. Now, we must determine who it is for: Who is to be baptized: Nobody? Everybody? Babies? Christians? Lost? Saved?

3. If you fit the Bible description of who is to be baptized, then you need to obey Jesus now! – 1 Jno. 2:3-5

I. WHO IS OBLIGATED TO BE BAPTIZED?

A. Those to Whom the Gospel is Sent – Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15.

-No morally responsible person exempt from gospel call & commands.

B. Its Prospects: All Who Desire Salvation.

1. Mk. 16:15 – Gospel for to all: Those to whom gospel is sent are to submit to it.

2. Acts 2:21 – Whoever calls (2:37-38, 41 - Receive w/o reservation, welcome, sense of acknowledging, respect); 22:16.

a. Rom. 10:13-15 – What enables one to call upon Lord:? Believe, hear, preacher sent, gospel.

b. One must hear gospel & believe it to call on Lord & be saved.

c. Shows us what is needed for baptism!

C. The Prerequisites of Baptism.

1. Being taught the gospel – Matt. 28:19. Impossible to call upon Him w/o believing in Him (Rom. 10:13-14); cf. Acts 8:30-31; 35-36.

2. Faith in Jesus as Christ (the believer) – Jno. 8:24; 20:30-31; Acts 8:36-37.

3. Confess faith – Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37.

4. The repentant – Acts 2:38; 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9.

-cf. Catholic “baptism vows” – “According to the Roman Ritual, at present in use, three questions are to be addressed to the person to be baptized, as follows: "Dost thou renounce Satan? and all his works? and all his pomps?" To each of these interrogation the person, or the sponsor in his name, replies: "I do renounce".” (“Baptismal Vows”, Cath. Encyl.)

D. The Moral & Spiritual Condition of the Person to be Baptized:

1. Moral capacity to be taught & believe – Matt. 28:19.

2. Lost due to sin – Mk. 16:16 (not saved before it); Acts 22:16 (sins exist before it); 1 Pet. 3:21 (lost before it).

3. Morally responsible & accountable – Acts 22:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Ths. 1:8.

II. WATER BAPTISM IS NOT FOR:

A. Infants and Small Children.

1. No NT authority for the practice.

2. Cf. Adults – Acts 8:12 (cf. 8:3).

3. Children are mentioned in Scripture when they are materially connected – cf. Matt. 14:21; 15:38; 19:14; Acts 21:5.

a. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – Scriptures complete.

b. Advocates admit infant baptism not in the Scriptures.

c. Therefore, not needed to be complete – 2 Pet. 1:2-3.

4. Why do some think it is necessary?

a. Original sin (Catholic, Lutheran) – cf. Rom. 5:12; Matt. 19:14.

But: Children are without sin / in the condition to which the sinner must be converted in order to be saved! – Matt. 18:1-3; 19:14

b. To enter the church (Dedicatory, UMC).

But: Christ adds saved to church after baptism (Acts 2:47).

B. The Christian (already saved).

1. Quotes from Baptist Manual:

a. “After saving faith” (cf. Mk. 16:16).

b. “New birth before baptism” (Jno. 3:5).

c. “Essential to obedience” (Acts 10:48; Heb. 5:9).

2. Without Christ’s baptism, one has not exercised saving faith, not born again & not fully obeyed Him…Lost in sin!

III. SUMMARY: BAPTISM IS…

A. For Believers Who Confess Faith & Repent of Sins – Acts 18:8.

B. For Forgiveness of Sins & Fellowship with God – Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:26-27.

C. For the Person who wants to be a Christian & be Saved from Their Sins – Acts 2:37-38.

Conclusion

1. Do you need to be forgiven of past sins? Do you need to become a Christian?

2. Do you believe? Will you confess it? Repent of your sins?

3. Then, be baptized now.