R485 Baptism

God has an encouraging word for you and me today.

The Bible-based preaching of Dr. Don Wilton on today's edition of The Encouraging Word and start our Bible study in Matthew chapter 3 adjustable mama doctored on what you know we're here to pray with you anytime that 866-899-WORD 866-899-WORD 9673, and we would love to connect. Please take your Bibles this morning and turn with me to the gospel of Matthew chapter 3 the gospel of Matthew. In chapter 3, I want to make an announcement to you this morning as we worship together. Every occasion we come together as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ as followers of the Lord God speaks to us through his word.

God speaks to us when we have our private devotions and quiet times.

He speaks to us through Smyrna discipleship groups speaks to us in times when we have devotions, whether on the athletic field goal with my being God certainly speaks to us every time we come to church together. So this morning is no exception. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to I want you to watch me. I want everybody to look at me as I'm about to say something to you about weeks ago.

God put something in my heart this morning. I'm going to be sharing with you from God's word related to the subject of God has put in my heart I shared this with ministerial team and we have prayed about it, God has spoken to us.

This is not something you haven't heard before. You've heard of this, but I am going to say this to you again to say to you that this morning you are going to have to Onset God yes or no is not going to be any may be easier to do you data have to say yes Lord, I have done this or no I haven't. Yes, I understand your word on low land.

I'm not going to do it no matter what you say it's very clear.

The issue that we going to deal with this morning is something that comes from the heart of God. It is a timeless truth in a changing and you cannot change this and for every person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ. But God teaches us this morning is something that I believe with all my heart because of where it comes from that God has written these things just for you and me going to be speaking to you about this issue of baptism is a lot of confusion in the road today.

There is a lot of confusion and there a lot of churches that quote unquote is an indifferent grace. What is the way in which to participate in what God has perfect us very clearly in his word. I'm going to read to you for passages of Scripture. The first is going to be in John's Gospel chapter 3 in verse 13 follow along with me. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John and Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John trying to determine him saying I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me. So Jesus replied. D.

So now John, for it is proper for us to do this in order to fulfill all righteousness.

Then John can't seem to not watch verse 16. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went he came out of the and at that moment, heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him and a voice from heaven said this is my beloved son, whom I love, and with him. I'm really pleased doctored with me to the book of acts chapter 2 book of acts chapter 2, I love to hear all those pages turning everyone currently with me. Ask chapter 2 I'm going to read just two verses verse 38 in verse 41, United notice, by the way, in verse 37 that there was a congregation of people just like you and me. A crowd gathered around him and Peter and John were preaching and talking about the Lord and these people lost the same kind of questions that we lost today.

As you can see, what shall we do, what shall we do what we do about these things.

Well, listen to what Peter said in verse 38 Peter replied reprint and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit… Of verse 41, those who accepted his message were baptized about 3000 were added to their number that now go with me to ask chapter 8 turnover the page. Couple of pages to your right. Acts chapter 8 Magnus encounter yet about Philip God's servant, Philip and a man by the name of the Ethiopian eunuch and some of you might remember the story that God by his Spirit told Philip to go and speak to this man that he was coming down the interstate and God said to the Foster City listen Philip I want you to go and speak to this man driving down the interstate in in his chariot. I want you to him about me and so Philip closes and opens the Scriptures to him and look what happened. Verse 36 as they traveled along the road, they came to some literature.

Evidently there was a pond there. There was a river there. There was a lake. There was a body.

How do we know it was about the realtor not just a problem. I'm going to show you because the Bible says both of these men got down and went into the both of them happened as they travel along the road, they came to some literature and the eunuch said, look, there is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized the divergence to stop the chariot then goes Philip and the unit went down into the realtor and Philip baptized incredible story pallets, turnover acts, chapter 16, turn right again your Bibles. Take a right turn acts chapter 16 verse 29. Again, a wonderful story here in God's word about Silas that ended up in prison. Well yeah they were imprisoned.

God spoke and God. And what happened in that prison had an indelible oppression upon those who would keeping them prisoners on the jailer himself. Verse 29 the jailer cleared for Linux Rothstein and he filled, trembling before Berlin.

Silas he didn't break the mountain officers must I do to be so they replied, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you really say you and your household folks says what happens when people follow Jesus Christ. The people come to know the Lord's will, what happened in verse 32. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to others in his house at our the ninth of jailer proclaim and wash their wounds and immediately he and his family were baptized, not folks. There are two issues that we going to do with this morning. Number one we going to discover that the Bible teaches believers baptism. In other words, baptism. According to Scripture is only for people who have been saved who have received Jesus Christ into their hearts and lives. It's not for people who have not done so you must have given your life to Jesus Christ baptized prior to having trusted Jesus Christ. Baptism is invalid because you weren't baptized as a believer. The second issue we going to deal with, and most importantly this morning.

Perhaps it is this whole issue of baptism and what I want to do today is very simple. I'm going to ask further questions number one what is baptism what is baptism. Number two will be baptized.

Number three should be baptized and when should you and I be baptized so let's look at that together from God's word this morning and I know that the Lord is going to speak to our hearts. And I know that he's going to speak to your heart.

Number one. What is baptism, though that's a very important question if I was to hold up a sheet of paper be at a blank sheet of paper this morning and I was to hold up the sheet of paper and it had a picture on it you would be able to tell me what is on that picture would say to me more pasta.

There are trees they people their motor car driving down the road there is a swimming pool business,Whatever is in that picture you are able to show me that picture listen to me carefully. The Bible teaches us that baptism is God's way of giving to us. I sure of himself, not what is in the picture.

Baptism what is in the picture baptism. When people are baptized tonight and they stepped into the baptistery and the realtor is usually about waist high comes up to about my waist and when people step into that baptistery.

They are immediately beginning to deep show. I sure Jesus Christ did in terms of three things.

First of all of Jesus upon the cross, and as they stand there in the baptistery with a pasta. They are standing they in public I just like Jesus hung on the cross. Just as he stood before mankind and so the first picture that we see in baptism is Jesus upon the cross. And as Jesus was on the cross he died, not folks. Jesus didn't sort of guy.

I remember the governor of Louisiana back in the early 80s, Satan went on public television and said that that Jesus was nothing more than Jesus taking a nap. He swooned. Jesus didn't swooned up on the cross, Jesus died completely Jesus to die completely. Why, in order that he might take upon himself the sin of the board and that an myosin might die with him.

That's why in heaven. People died because of the sin of Adam in Christ Jesus made alive. So the beginning point of baptism is picture that is being painted is a picture of Jesus hanging up on the cross and died the second part of that picture is the burial of the Lord Jesus Christ. Number one is the number two is burial now when Jesus died. The Scriptures tell us that he was taken from the cross and he was put into the grave and the stone was rolled over the folks of Richter is about waist high and when I take someone who is being baptized. A person has already trusted Jesus Christ I say to them to have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Yes I have.

It is upon you a public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus that are not baptized into the name of the father and the son and of the Holy Ghost Monday to talk about that in a minute and then I say as I type them. I say very with Jesus in an folks, as the Scripture teaches that person under the not set up on the realtor, not some thoughts to put them on the infective routing Scripture zone truly means to redeem us completely.

Now, why does the Bible teach that we as Disciples of Christ need to be the most concretely because it's a picture. Remember the picture is the complete Jesus Christ the son of God.

Jesus didn't say I didn't have different nose sticking out in life. He didn't have thought of him by and another even have a small nothing was dead he was and when we go we think not just someone gossiping for and someone taking a break from humanity. We are depicting the complete closing in their life. Those who have trusted him to practice. He said, and to mow Jesus Christ. You and I to ourselves.

We concretely meet soon we got to late notice of our lives completely to be buried in the. And that's exactly what Jesus to completely give you know that we stand ready is an understanding friend at the other end of 866-899-WORD to pray with you maybe pray for you as you as we all have to release something so that we can make room for what God with the place in her hands.

Next, 866899673 is a number to call or email us at online@tewonline.org while you're there, be sure and sign up for the daily Encouraging Word email from Dr. Don is a blessing lens every day about 6 o'clock and you can sign up online today. If you have it with the next day or so. That's online@twonline.org. Now back to today's great teaching with Dr. Don Wilton folks to the Lord Jesus Christ and the grave. He didn't remember that Easter Sunday morning on the third day he rose from the grave and that's the third part of this picture it's the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. What would happen if I lift somebody under the realtor we know exactly what would happen they would know well is Jesus relief under the grave. Was he lift on the Jesus Christ is alive worship a living Savior not being cited, he's alive, and he lives in our hearts and so is this beautiful picture baptism Jesus in debt and raised in newness of life.

That's what baptism is number to be baptized, while you and I need to be baptized. Let me give you a couple of nonsense to their number one because the Bible teaches it. I don't have time this morning and the time available to go through these passages. There are many you can go through the possible epistles. One of my favorite passages is in first Peter chapter 3 that talks about baptism in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to the church at Corinth about baptism he speaks, he spoke to many people about baptism, but the Bible teaches that the Bible says we must repent and be baptized Jesus said we need to be baptized number two Jesus demonstrated that folks on grade Oscar question this morning is that anyone who thinks of Jesus have to be baptized that Jesus needed to be baptized. He was the son of God. So why did Jesus baptized there are two reasons in Scripture why Jesus was baptized.

Number one was in bed to demonstrate the hand of God upon the son of God. When Jesus was tries used his baptism as a public demonstration. This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. It was a confirmation to John the Baptist that this indeed was the son of God. That was the first reason for his baptism, but the second reason why Jesus got baptized by motion was that Jesus was rented to demonstrate to us what he expects those of us who are fellows of the Lord Jesus Christ and what Jesus did right throughout his ministry, Jesus went public, using his life as the primary example demonstrate what he expects of us and folks listen to me watch me.

Jesus could get baptized, you can count me in bed. That puts it beyond number three. Jesus not only demonstrated Jesus come on. It is an express from Montevallo, Jesus Christ. You remember the great commission the end of the gospel of Matthew. Remember what Jesus said. Jesus said going will preach and teach and baptize and low I am with you always, even to the end of the day and what he say about baptism baptized in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.

Some of you might have wondered when I baptize say to people trusted Jesus Christ yes I have relatives upon whom the public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus that I'm not privilege to baptize you in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.

Why do we do that because the Bible tells us to, we just following the word of God. So folks, why do I need to be baptized. Number one. The Bible teaches it. Jesus demonstrated Jesus commanded number. Because we it's just a simple as that. You know, just like our children all over the room or they start asking those questions. Why do we need to do that right when it why do we need to be back all why do we need to be back by 12 o'clock if not, we can't do anything. Why do we cry, we go there and eventually parents become exasperated. My site because one has a crooked letter. That's why you can't make it straight. You know when you get to that point I christened Melanie. You can look forward to that.

I promise you it's coming you can call me exactly David is cute is he is he gonna write you today. I need to cite one by Dead Sea is she that line in the sand because one is a crooked letter and you can't make it straight. What you basically cite you children's because I'm daddy good and if you don't group is gonna be public execution. That's why folks listen to me.

God loves us so much but you know something we get baptized because Jesus said God's word commands. And there comes a time in life folks when it's not a matter of my personal preference.

I have people say to me from time to time. Think I'll go join this church of Asia doesn't matter whether or not they practice and believe believers baptism climbed. I'm just going to ignore this. It doesn't matter it's not important folks, it's not something that you just sweep on people jumping around from one church to another teaches. It's not a matter of just joining the church. Does God teach us.

Jesus tells us very clearly on some of these things. Number five we testify through. That's another good reason to be baptized, testifies to listen to me folks and my is the case and the moment about public confession of faith public confession of faith is not when we were down the that's an announcement that Mike we've given our hearts to the Lord.

We want to give our hearts to the Jesus Christ. But the place about public confession of faith is when we stand in the history and we publicly and apologetically identify with the burial and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ because he commanded it, and because he demonstrated it, and because he expected of those of us who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

It's not open to discussion.

See law Soviet signed, sealed and delivered. It doesn't even require a deacons meeting to discuss this. That's what Jesus was saying, this is not something we do because we are a Baptist Church is not something that we do because the deacons decided to do this or the pasta decided to do this is something that is done because God said so why do I need to be baptized. Well, it's ask another question, how should we be baptized if we tried to discover what baptism is and why we should be baptized. How should we be baptized.

Well, the Bible says there are three important things. Number one, we need to be baptized by immersion folks every passage in Scripture that talks about baptism talks about baptism by immersion there. Listen to me listen to me there is no the zoom in Scripture folks talking to a man when I was little I was sprinkled that is not baptism.

The Bible teaches infant baptism.

It is in Scripture cannot be lysed into Christ you is because you are in Christ is and if you please get it because you already have a ticket to heaven. You don't get baptized in order to get some to be forgiven, baptized in obedience because you are saved and because given you listening this morning. That's what the word teaches. The Bible says when you get baptize. It is believers baptism by immersion. They went down into the Jesus went down into the remote folks it it is something to me when I see these pictures of Jesus standing in the Jordan River meeting on the bank and John the Baptist with a handful of China trying to sprinkle with Ronnie's face that he is not a corrective action Jesus baptism was. It is baptism by emotion. There is no other baptism in Scripture.

Number two. We need to be baptized before the people we need to be baptized before the people.

Baptism is not a private institution. Baptism is a public profession. What includes a picture nobody can see it. What good is a light if nobody can experience it, and what Jesus says I want you to stand publicly and display my picture of me in the people served by motion by the people and for by the pasta. Yes, you lost or has a very rarely play in baptism folks. I take baptism very seriously in this church because I'm the only one qualified baptized but right thing on Scripture when people were baptized God.

God's servants' ministry of the church the organization together with the person who had believed in Jesus Christ and he is pleased. He wasn't administering baptism because you don't administer them as a prayer, like a sacrament is that one in some to take place and is God's mouthpiece during the very expression of baptism by immersion before the people by the pasta by the minister by that person, Jesus Christ, was qualified to baptize you so there's one more question. Women should we be baptized when well the Bible is clear on the spokes. These passages I read to you this morning, and many others.

In Scripture, the Bible says that as soon as you've given your life to Jesus Christ. You need to be baptized but powerful teaching today. Not a baptism but the thing that comes before that the very first step, long before baptism saying yes to Jesus Christ. If you done I pray that you would know were here to talk with you to pray with you our phone numbers 866-899-WORD and anytime day or night.

Would love to pray with you about what God's doing in your life. That's 866-8967, 300 radical keyboard keyboard meet us online@ourwebsitecdwonline.org TW online.org or the phone number 866-899-WORD 96734 get away. Our pastor is come back in the studio to share something that's not just preaching and teaching something directly from his heart. Are you ready to give you a heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why don't you pray this prayer with me right now. Dear God, I know that Arneson and I know that Jesus died for me on the cross today. I repainted my sin and by faith I receive you into my Jesus and I my friend. I welcome you today into the family of God.

This is exciting news. If you display loan with the pastor moments ago to give your life to Christ, all hell would like to rejoice with you to celebrate with you to send you some free resources and whether that's the first time, decision, or perhaps you have dedicated your life today. Dr. Wilson has wonderful resources. He wants you to have for free if you call that 866-899-WORD would you consider connecting us. You can write and connect with me at 866-899-9673 if you get that 866-899-9673 that wraps up a wonderful week broadcast to contest or from Encouraging Word we have exciting things taking place over the weekend as well. Have a blessed week in and join us again for more Encouraging Word Dr. Don Wilton