Rev. David Holwick ZQ
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
December 29, 1991
Acts 16:22-34
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I. Baptism as the distinctive mark of Baptists.
A. Surprise of observer at last baptism: the candidate disappeared.
1) Didn't realize we were standing in water.
2) Dramatic effect.
B. Almost every other Christian group sprinkles babies.
1) Main practice from third century A.D. on.
2) Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, most Protestants.
C. How baptism of believers came to be practiced again.
1) Anabaptists in 1500's - return to practices of NT church.
a) Infant baptism rejected, only given to believers.
b) Universal response: baptize them permanently.
2) Baptists in 1600's - follow Anabaptists, except for pacifism.
a) Church must be based on New Testament principles only.
b) Dangerous to include infant-sprinkled members.
c) Keep church pure by insisting on profession of faith.
D. Who is correct? Does it make a difference?
1) Not a matter essential to salvation.
2) But important for obedience to God's Word.
II. New Testament teaching.
A. Belief always comes before baptism. Always.
1) Pentecost. "Repent" Acts 2:38,41 (Peter)
2) Lydia. "A believer" Acts 16:14-15
3) Repentance of sins an integral part of event.
B. Magical sacrament?
1) Medieval Christians came up with concept of "holy water."
a) Even those coming to John the Baptist approached it as
"fire insurance." Matt 3:7-8
2) But NT is clear that the act of being washed has no power.
a) The pledge of a good conscience (1 Pet 3) is what matters.
1> Reason we require a testimony.
b) Without genuine faith, any baptism is meaningless.
1> Even if by immersion.
3) Baptism is an ordinance: an order by Jesus. Matt 28:19
a) We do it because he says so.
b) It is a symbolic act that portrays an inner spiritual
experience. (Spirit baptism)
1> The washing away of sins.
2> Our old nature being laid in the tomb with Jesus.
3> Our new nature being resurrected to live for Christ.
III. Infant baptism?
A. Inferred from baptism of households. Acts 16:33
1) Households said to include infants.
2) But in Acts 16:34, family is baptized because they believe.
B. Place of little children.
1) Common superstition: if my child isn't baptized, and
dies, it goes to limbo or even Hell.
a) NT teaching of the innocence of children.
b) "Their angels always behold face of Father." Mt 18:10
2) Bible teaching: dedication is for infants, baptism is
for believers. (Not necessarily adults)
IV. Baptism required for salvation?
A. Church of Christ, group at Billy Graham rally.
1) Against "believe only," include baptism.
B. Not biblical teaching.
1) Thief on cross would be not be in Paradise. Luke 23:42f
2) Mark 16 - belief is critical to salvation/condemnation,
not baptism. Mark 16:16
V. Spiritual meaning of baptism.
A. Drowned to world.
1) Christians should be different from those around us.
2) It grieves God when we are not.
3) Illustration:
George Moran and kayak incident by dam.
B. Clean for God's use.
1) Aim for purity.
C. Total commitment.
1) Jesus' baptism was on cross as well as in Jordan. Mark 10:38
(Luke 12:50)
2) The sufferings of Christians are a form of continual baptism.
D. Where do you stand with Jesus?
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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