Purpose: This study helps establish that baptism and the faith that prompts it is the link between Christ's sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sins and gift of God's Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11
God's plan to bring salvation to the world culminated in the death, burial and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the "gospel" or good news about Jesus.
Through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is now available. In this study we will look at the Bible's teaching about baptism, a crucial link between Christ's sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sins. '
Acts 2:22-24, 36-41
Jesus was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins.
The response to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is repentance.
“Repent” means to turn around and return to God.
See 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 for difference between worldly sorrow/guilt and godly sorrow that brings about this turning/repentance.
In order to become a Christian, a person must decide to repent and be baptized.
These are the conditions connected to God’s promise to bring us into Christ, to make us one of His people. The benefits of this identity include forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
A person must have faith in Jesus, see their need for a Savior, and decide to live under Jesus’ lordship. They then get baptized for the forgiveness of sins, entrance into God’s Kingdom, and to become one of God’s people.
The first proclamation of the good news of Jesus after his departure. What did Peter instruct those to do who believed the message about Jesus? When do we receive the forgiveness of sins? The Holy Spirit? (More on this later.) Those who accepted this message were baptized, thus they were saved. Let's look at some passages that describe more fully what takes place in baptism...
Romans 6:1-12
Baptism brings about new creation. Through baptism the old life is gone and we have been raised to new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Baptism is not simply about entrance into heaven, it is about living the life He created us to live in Christ right now.
How does this fit into God’s plan for us and His creation?
Cross – Burial – Raised to new life
Person – Baptized – Raised to new life
It is at baptism that we are brought into and clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:26-29). We become a new creation, a Kingdom person, we get a new identity. We get all of the benefits of being a member of God’s family: the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, citizenship in God’s Kingdom, heirship in God’s family, eternal life, etc.! (1 Corinthians 12:13)
In baptism, we are united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection.
The benefits of salvation made available at the cross become real for us when we participate in his death, burial and resurrection. Through baptism, we die to sin and are raised to a new life.
EPHESIANS 1:3-10
An important New Testament teaching: every spiritual blessing from God is found "in Christ." What are some of those blessings listed here? (Sonship, adoption, grace, redemption, forgiveness) So how does a person enter "into Christ"? (Next passage.)
GALATIANS 3:26-29
We are baptized "into Christ." Note that Paul did not consider faith and baptism to be contradictory. Baptism is a tangible expression of faith that places us "in Christ" where salvation occurs.
INFANT BAPTISM? COLOSSIANS 2:11-12
Baptism is an immersion in water (from the Greek baptizo meaning "plunge, dip, immerse" see Acts 8:38-39), but it does not operate "automatically" apart from the faith of the one who is baptized. Can an infant believe? Repent of sin? And what sins need to be forgiven? Ezekiel 18:20: Contrary to the widely held doctrine of "original sin," guilt for sin is not inherited from our parents. We are guilty for our own sins and saved by grace through our own response of faith.
SINNER'S PRAYER? 1 PETER 3:18-21
Some claim that a person needs only to pray a "sinner's prayer" or "ask Jesus into his heart" in order to be saved. This is the predominant view in the evangelical Christian world. However, this is not the message that was preached in the Book of Acts. Everyone was called to repentance, faith and baptism, and as Peter wrote here, "baptism now saves us" by the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
ACTS 22:7-16
After encountering Jesus, repenting, praying, fasting (Acts 9:9-11), being healed, and being called by God, Paul remains in sin. What was left for him to do to have his sins washed away? Why the urgency; what is so pressing about the need for baptism? What remains for you to do or think about before you are ready to be united with Christ in baptism?
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL SCRIPTURES:
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16:16
John 3:3-5
Acts 18:24-26
Ephesians 4:4-6, Ephesians 5:26
Titus 3:3-5
Discussion
How does this fit into God’s plan for us and His creation?
Do you understand the biblical call for and reasons to be baptized?
Do you see your own need for baptism and for the forgiveness of your sins, to receive the Holy Spirit, and to become a Kingdom person?