Today we will be looking at the background to baptism at the time of Jesus.
Why do we have Baptism?
We have baptism because it was commanded by God. It came about because of the ceremonial cleansings of the Old Testament.
Luke 7:30 tells us that the Pharisees rejected John’s counsel to be baptised. By the time John came there was a tradition amongst the Jews relating to cleansing from sin by baptism. Jesus was baptised by John even though He had no sin. He was baptised in fulfilment of the Law.
Is Baptism a requirement of salvation?
Baptism isn’t a requirement of salvation, the thief on the Cross was not baptised, but Jesus told him , :Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Baptism is an emblem of the belief an individual has in God and it is important you know who you are in God, and who God is.
John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
There then came a transition, as Jesus’ ministry grew, His disciples started to baptise.
John 3:23 – John 4:3
John the Baptist was a prophet. He knew who Jesus was. Jesus must increase, and he must decrease. “I’m of the earth and Jesus is from heaven. There’s a transition happening.” You need to realise that your life in God, Christ inside you, is from heaven. It’s not of this world.
We are living in a time of economic changes and challenges and it’s easy to get embroiled in the impossibility of surviving, of finding a job and so on. I want to confirm to you that your life is hid with God. He is not of this earth. He knows what He is doing and He is in control. And when you were baptised, you were signifying to the world that you believe in Jesus Christ and are going God’s way. Your life is hid with God. Realise where you are in God when you see the impossibilities around you. He loves you. You aren’t of this world – you’re just passing through. Your provision is from above, from God.
Newness of Life!
Baptism signifies that you are buried with him and have come out of the waters into newness of life. Please remember where you are in God. He’s your heavenly Father and your provider. God will make a way. He’s making provision for you right now.
Before He left this earth, Jesus talked about baptism:-
Matthew 28:19 - 20
When John the Baptist baptised it was for the remission of the sin. But now, Jesus has died for our sins, and we are to go to all nations baptising them in the name of the Father. John said Jesus would baptise in the Holy Ghost. Jesus was from heaven, John of the earth.
Jesus initiated the concept of baptism. As the church grew, baptism got under way.
Acts 8:35-39
This was after Jesus rose from the dead, after the New Testament church began. The pre-requisite for this man, before he was baptised was that Philip explained Jesus to Him. And he then said, “If you believe with all your heart you may be baptised.”
Acts 19:1-7
These people had been baptised by John. He had come, signifying that Jesus was to come after him. Paul said that baptism was real.
John 1:7
Here we have people who were baptised by John who needed to be sorted out because they hadn’t heard of the Holy Ghost. And they were re-baptised. If you’ve never been baptised as a believer, it’s important you should be baptised, because it is a commandment of God.
Now we get personal...
Romans 6:1- 4
Baptism signifies being buried with Christ. As you go under the water it’s as if you are in the grave as He was. He took into Himself on the Cross all our sin and disease. Baptism is you identifying with Him. But the key point is that we now walk in newness of life. If you’re a believer, you’re sitting here in newness of life. We can walk in that. We’re buried with Him, and comingp up out of the water signifies newness of life. There’s a whole new world for us because we are no longer of this world. The way of a Christian is to take orders from no one but God. He birthed me from above, and I want to do what pleases Him.
I’m walking in newness of life – which is why you don’t need to get worried about the problems of this world. Sure there are problems. But I’m walking in newness of life, and when I was baptised, it was a demonstration of what God has done. It’s His life being worked out inside me. All I have to do is walk in the Spirit. He’s done His work. He has sat down literally at the right hand of God. He doesn’t have to do anything else. He isn’t worried that He hasn’t done enough. He’s done everything for you. If I get caught up with the worries of the world, I need to remember that I’m a Christian. He’s my heavenly Father. He has made provision. He knows the end from the beginning, knows what I have need of. Credit crunch? Not in heaven! That’s not burying my head in the sand – I’m merely reminding you that when He gave His life, so that sin and evil desires would have no sway in you, you were set free to walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:10 – 12
You don’t have to do the right things to make Him bless you. You are risen because of what He has done. I’m buried with Him in baptism, and I’m raised with Him through the faith of the operation of God. Faith originates in Him and He delights in giving faith to you and me. He’s my heavenly Father, my provider. I want to tell others about this, because they may need healing, they may need Him to work inside them.
So many different things are put forward as the solution. Young people are drinking more now. Why? Do you think you should join them? You and I know it doesn’t get anywhere. Hundreds of things are being tried to fill the void, and none of them is fulfilling. You are complete in Him. Nothing can touch you.
Naaman answered the word of God – “Go and wash seven times and your leprosy will go.” He did it, and it worked. Jesus went to the Cross, took our sin, everything which would cause us to go wrong.
Colossians 2:13 - 15
He is seated at the right hand of God. And when He rose from the dead, it was an open display of His triumph. He is in heaven. The job has been done. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, which can hinder you from walking in life, realising your position in Christ. Nothing can hinder His provision for you. So what is the problem? “It’s okay when I’m in here. But during the week it’s difficult.” God is getting hold of your thinking now. So which is the verse which has got hold of you? God has triumphed. He has given you the faith to believe. He has brought you to Himself. He knows the end from the beginning, has prepared your steps for you. God is getting your thinking correct now because He wants it to become part of you.
Be careful how much news you read. Be careful what you set your mind on during the week. Cultivate what is accurate and true. Listen to the Bible on CD. Cultivate the right way of thinking. It’s no good getting our thinking right in here and then throwing it away during the week. Does that mean I should be unaware of what is going on in the world? Of course not! But I need to align my thinking with God’s word. Baptism signifies that I’ll sort out my thinking to be consistent with Him, thinking on the right things. The thinking will be right and baptism is about me showing to the church and the world everything that God means to me. He has given me life. Without Him I wouldn’t be breathing, wouldn’t be thinking in this way, because He has made it possible for me to choose to think the right way. It’s not inevitable that I go wrong. I have the choice. He’s made the way for you and He is giving you the faith and strength.
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