Baptism Crabtree 21/4/02

I would just like to take a few minutes to explain what baptism is, what becoming a Christian means, and tell you what will be happening to Julian later in the service.

I would like to read from the Bible in the book of Corinthians chapter 15 (Read verses 1-8, 14,15a, 17,19) where Paul tells us about the resurrection of Jesus and I'll explain its relevance a little later.

I will explain:
WHAT baptism means
WHO should be baptised
WHY a Christian should be baptised
WHEN a Christian should be baptised

WHAT?

So, what is believer's baptism - it is simply a visual aid. It is an outward sign of what has happened inwardly.

The baptism this morning is simply a picture to show us of the change there has been in Julian's life. There has been a change in the life of Julian. He has become a Christian

I will explain later what Julian believes or in whom he believes.

WHO?

So who is believer's baptism for. It is only for those who have a personal faith in God and have made a decision to follow Jesus.

Now a true Christian is someone who is a believer in Jesus or a follower of Jesus, but what does that mean?

A Christian is someone who has realised that he/she has disobeyed God - the Bible calls this sin. A Christian realises that God is perfect, God is Holy and hates sin. God says sin must be punished. Sin causes you and me to be separated from God. It is a barrier between God and you, God and me. Because God is a God of love and does not want anyone to perish because they have sinned, He sent his only son Jesus to take your punishment and my punishment for sin. That is why Jesus died on the cross.

Julian has admitted to God that he has sinned, he has said to him he is sorry and has asked God's forgiveness. The Bible says if we ask God, He will forgive us for wrongs we do.

Thus, Julian believes that when Jesus died on the cross, about 2,000 years ago, He died to take the guilt and penalty for his sin.
OHP-Admitted etc

So he has ADMITTED he has displeased God by "not keeping His rules", he has said sorry to God, and he has BELIEVED Jesus died to take the penalty for his sin.

But he has also CONSIDERED whether or not Jesus really is who He said He was. You see many people do not believe Jesus is the Son of God as Jesus claimed himself to be. Most people accept Jesus as a historical figure who lived on earth but not everyone accepts what He said about himself, but Julian has examined the life of Jesus, read parts of the Bible, had discussions with Christians and then concluded that "Yes, Jesus is who He said He is and that He died for me and has the power to forgive sins".

Now many people will accept what I have said about Jesus as being true, but that does not make them a Christian.

You see the Bible tells us that individuals and even Satan accept they have disobeyed God, they even accept Jesus as an historical figure who died on a cross and that He rose from the dead but they have not done anything about it. You see something has to be DONE. Some action needs to be taken.

The Bible says that to be a Christian you need to say sorry to God for disobeying Him, to repent and ask for forgiveness, because you believe Jesus died for you and ask Jesus to control your life. This is often called A STEP OF FAITH.

Now admitting your sins, believing who Jesus is, considering the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is rational and logical, but doing what Jesus asks is taking a risk - it is having faith in Jesus' claims.

But this is what Julian has done.

He realises that becoming a Christian means a lifestyle change because he will be wanting to obey God and live as He would want him to and this is sometimes very hard to do. It also doesn't mean that he won't do wrong again, but he will live in a way to please Jesus.

He has become a Christian and so wants to be baptised.

Believer's baptism, which is what you will see today, is only for those who are Christians.

WHY?

So why is Julian being baptised? Julian is being baptised for the following reasons:

1. He is following the example of Jesus - Jesus was baptised when he was 30 years old when he stopped being a carpenter and became a teacher and preacher in Israel for 3 years before He was crucified.

2. Secondly, he is telling us all that there has been a change in his life.

3. Thirdly, he is showing us all his dedication to Jesus - new Christians in the early days of the Christian church were encouraged to believe and then soon after be baptised.

4. Fourthly, he is identifying himself with Jesus in His
(a) death
(b) burial
(c) resurrection

You see baptism is a picture of what Jesus did.

Now this water is not special water, just normal Three Valley's water and it is a picture of a grave! It reminds us that Jesus died and that he rose again and is alive today.

(i) Going into the water - like Jesus' death

(ii) Going under the water - like Jesus' burial

(iii) Rising out of the water - like Jesus' resurrection

In the same way that Jesus didn't stay dead, Julian will come up very quickly - we're not trying to drown him. Coming out of the water is a picture of resurrection. It reminds us of Jesus' resurrection and it reminds us that Julian has already started on his new life with Christ Jesus.

I say started, because baptism does not make a person a Christian. It is a picture for us all to see. This helps us understand a little of the change, from a non-Christian, who does not have a hope in Christ, to a Christian, who has a hope - an eternal hope of being with Jesus in heaven one day and a living daily hope of serving a loving God.

All this may seem very strange. Well the apostle Paul who was a great intellectual - as you will see from his writings - and who was taught by one of the top teachers of his era, admitted that:
"the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God".

That is why I read that passage from the Bible earlier. You see the resurrection of Jesus is the crux of Christianity. The Bible tells us that if Jesus did not rise from the dead then Christians are fools because they are believing something that is not true. Also, Jesus must then be a liar as He said He would rise from the dead after 3 days. Christianity would be false and God not trustworthy. BUT Christians believe Jesus died, was buried and rose again and ascended to heaven where He is now.

WHEN?

So when should a Christian be baptised?

Believer's Baptism takes place after a person becomes a Christian as soon as that person appreciates the significance of being baptised. There is an account in the Bible of someone who was reading part of an OT scroll not knowing what it meant. Philip, the evangelist, met him and was able to explain the parts that the traveller didn't understand. As soon as the traveller did understand, that is believed in what Jesus had done for him, and when he saw some water nearby, stopped the chariot and was baptised immediately.

SUMMARY

To summarise:
WHAT does baptism means - it is a picture or visual aid of a change in Julian's life
WHO should be baptised - those who have a personal faith in God and have made a decision to follow Jesus.
WHY should a Christian be baptised - to obey the Lord's command in the Bible
WHEN should a Christian be baptised - as soon as that person appreciates the significance of being baptised

Now there is nothing mystical or mysterious about baptism and it doesn't make Julian a Christian. He has already become a Christian.

Julian become a Christian some months ago. He now wishes to obey God's command that believers should be baptised. He wants us all to know of the change that has taken place in his life. That is why he is being baptised today.

I suppose in the old days we may have been assembled down on the River Lee. Some churches still have baptisms in the sea. Until recently, baptisms were held in Harpenden's outdoor swimming pool. Where Julian is baptised does not matter, but the reason why he is being baptised is crucial.

John Lower

The Bible knows nothing of '"secret Christians'

Although many Christians throughout the world have to meet in secret today, they are still prepared to share their faith, despite the cost to themselves.

Everyone Jesus called, He called publicly. His disciples and those who followed him were identified with him.

Christians are called to not to badger people, but to give an explanation of what they believe when the opportunity arises. 1Pe 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

When a Christian is baptised by immersion, it is a public declaration of his commitment to his Lord and Saviour. It echoes the words of Martin Luther "Here I stand, I can no other do'

Jesus takes public commitment to Him even further than an optional act such as baptism.
Matthew 10: 32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

In a world where increasingly people are loath to make a commitment and stand for anything. Where politicians and businessmen seek to avoid responsibility. Jesus calls His disciples to nail their colours to the mast.

What does Jesus mean "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."?

What will be the situation where he 'acknowledges us' or 'disowns us'?.

The Bible says that everyone will one day stand before judgement seat of God.

1Pe 4:5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
And everyone will be found guilty of sin. However, when the just judgement of a holy God falls on the Christian, who has accepted Jesus as his Saviour, the Jesus will say to his Father, "This person is covered by my death upon the cross".
"I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven"

Then is the Christian undertaking the act of baptism because it's some sort of rule or tradition of the Christian faith? Or because they've got to!

2 Corinthians Ch5 :14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no-one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

They are compelled by love to do this!

And one day, the love that Jesus has demonstrated for them, in dying for him and paying the price for his sin, will mean that Jesus , "will also acknowledge them before His Father in heaven".

But what about you? Will Jesus say to His Father "He is mine" or "she is mine"

Are you ready to stand before that judgement throne?

Mike Reid