Foundations: Baptism - SERMON NOTES

Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study.

Intro: (1) series recap (2) exploring baptism (3) teen who brought luggage to baptism in Malaysia

What is baptism? “external witness of an internal faith”

• Physical immersion: (1) early descriptions (2) Acts 8:36-39 (cf. Mk. 1:10, John 3:23)
• Physical picture: (1) Rom. 6:3-4 (2) OT background — flood, Red Sea, Jonah

Who gets baptized? “those who have professed faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins”

• Jews: (1) Acts 2:40-41 (2) OT background of Acts 2
• Gentiles: (1) Acts 10:44-48 (2) household baptisms (cf. 1 Cor. 16:15-16)

Why get baptized? “NOT to be saved” (cf. Eph. 2:8-9)

• Command from Jesus: (1) Mt. 28:19 (2) Acts 2:38
• Identification with Jesus: (1) Christ himself (cf. Gal. 3:27) (2) church (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13)

Considerations for baptism

• Children: (1) infant baptism — Catholic vs. Protestant, Grace approach (2) age — Grace process
• Church: (1) secondary issue (2) not restricted to clergy (3) ideal within a local church with
  spiritual authorities present (4) required for membership

Conclusion: (1) garden hose — from suicide to baptism (2) app to those baptized, those not