A Relationship

Builder

Six Lessons

Only 15 Minutes

Each

GOD HAS

A PLAN

FOR YOUBible Study by Donna Maricelli, © 2009

PPT by Richard Tracey, © 2010

Lesson 3

The Importance Of Water Baptism

Applying the Cleanser

“…be baptized, and

wash away thy sins

calling on the name of the Lord…” Acts

22:16

Human Beings were created for spiritual intimacy with God.

God proved his desire for a spiritual relationship with humanity.

Jesus Christ shed His blood and suffered a painful death to reconnect the communion that was severed by sin.

Human beings affirm their desire for spiritual intimacy by:

Confessing Jesus Christ is Lord and died for all sin.

Apologizing to Him for personal sin.

Being water baptized to wash away those sins.

Inviting His Spirit to dwell inside

Repentance and water baptism work as a

combination.“… repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins…” Acts 2:38

Case Studies:

#1- If a speeding citation is paid in full, it is not cleared from the record until the document is stamped: remitted

Christ paid the fine for sin. In water baptism the repentant sinner’s record is cleared.

Case Studies:

#2 – A disobedient child is forgiven for the mud on his new pants. Does the forgiveness clean the pants?

In water baptism the forgiven sin is washed from the soul.

“… Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5

Case Studies:

#3 A criminal can make a personal apology to the victim, receive forgiveness, and begin a relationship.

But he must pay the penalty for the crime. If he receives a pardon, however, then the penalty is taken away.

Case Studies:

#3 Continued – Through repentance and water baptism, sin is forever removed.

Repentance is a personal apology to God for sin.

Water baptism deals with the legal consequences of sin.

How should a believer

be water baptized? As it remits sin, it is important that water baptism be administered as demonstrated in the Bible.

Immersion in Water !“… went up… out of the water.” Matthew 3:16

“…down…into the water.” Acts 8:38

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ

Without exception, all New Testament believers were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

First commandment for water baptism – Acts 2:38-41 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and

be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Samaritans Are Baptized Acts 8:16

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

First religious Gentiles are baptized

in water – Acts 10:48

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. …”

Paul re-baptized John’s followers –

Acts 19:5

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Is water baptismreally important?

Jesus said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved… (Mark 16:16)

“…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

Is water baptismreally important?

Apostle Peter said: “… baptism doth also now save us…” 1st Peter 3:21

It clears the conscience “… baptism… the answer of a good conscience…” 1st Peter 3:21

Is water baptismreally important?

Apostle Paul said – It is an identity with Christ’s burial.

The “dead” or repentant sinner is buried. “… Buried with him by baptism into his death…” Romans 6:3-5

Is water baptismreally important?

Apostle Paul said – It is the covering of Jesus Christ.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Galatians 3:27

When should a believer be water baptized?

In the Bible, it was immediate on conversion. First believers:

“… were baptized… the same day…”

Acts 2:41

When should a believer be water baptized?

Philip preached the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch. They stopped the chariot at the first source of water for baptism. (Acts 8:35-39)

When should a believer be water baptized?

Paul and Silas were in a Philippian jail and the Jailer and his household received the gospel message and the

“…same hour of the night…was baptized…” Acts 16:33

Personal Application “… repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38

Personal Application

Repent: Confess and turn from sin

Be Water Baptized: Sins are washed away

Expect the Holy Spirit Baptism: A prepared heart will be filled

Preparation

Repentance and water baptism prepares your spiritual house for the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

An Acorn must be buried…

For the acorn to explore its created purpose, it must surrender to burial in the appropriate soil.

In Water Baptism

The repentant heart is buried

What is the importance of water baptism?

Discussion Questions

Discuss a new concept you’ve learned from this study.

Discussion Questions

Identify concerns or fears about being baptized in water.

Discussion Questions

When would you like to have your sins washed away?

Discussion Questions

Why wait? “… what doth hinder…?” Acts 8:36

“… why tarriest thou: arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16

Discussion Questions

Let’s pray together

Let us thank Jesus Christ for His love. For dying on the cross to pay the penalty for sin. For his plan to erase our sin permanently from the record. Commit to a deeper relationship with Him by being baptized in His name.

Let’s pray together

“Lord, I want to be covered by you… buried with you: Prepared for the indwelling of your Holy Spirit.”

Reading

Assignment: Jesus is baptized in water as an example (Matthew 3)

Water baptism: a deeper meaning (Romans 6)

Sins are forever remitted (Isaiah 1:18, Jeremiah 31:34, Psalm 103:12)

Looking Ahead:

In the next lesson we will learn about the promise of the Holy Spirit …