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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.