All About Baptism

Clay Smith JFBC
Do I Really Need to Be Baptized? Seven Questions.
Acts 2:36-41

Hymns:
It's So Sweet To trust in Jesus
Amazing Grace
Jesus Paid It All

Before baptism: the first part is accepting Jesus as Lord, repenting from sin and self. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, having our sins forgiven.

v 41 it's for everyone, both Jew and Gentiles…3000 in one day.

1. What is the meaning of baptism? Christian baptism is the emersion of a believer in water express saving faith in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

2. Why Should I Be Baptized? Baptism is an act of obedience that testifies to the believer's genuine faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Jesus Christ.

Jesus himself was baptized. He walked 60 miles to be baptised. Baptism is the public declaration of your faith. No need to be baptized a second time.

Romans 6

Baptism should be a public celebration.

3. Who should be baptized? Anyone who gives a believable professional of faith in Jesus Christ and is committing to following His ways as a part of His church.

You don't have to be perfect to be baptized. There should be visible evidence of God working in your life, so no babies. Want to see in kids the knowledge of what sin in, and the need of a Savior. Better to wait than to rush. Every child is different.

4. Where should I be baptized?
Baptism should take place within the context of the local church, if possible.

As a Baptist church, baptism is an ordinance like the Lord's Supper, not a sacrament. It's not just about you and Jesus, but also connecting with the body of Christ. Best to wait after salvation, with exceptions - like the Lord's Supper for shutins

5. When should I be baptized? Soon after one is both saved, and committed to being a disciple of Jesus

Mark 16:16

Would be damaging to baptizing someone who isn't a believer. Would cause this to think they were a Christian when they really weren't

6. How should I be baptized? By emersion. Baptism means to dunk. There are exceptions, like for someone bedridden.
Acts 8:38-39

Who should do the baptizing? Like the great commission says, all should go out, so any Christian could baptize. It's an ordinance, not a sacrament - which should be preformed by a pastor.

7. What is my next step? This is for everyone to decide for themselves.

Brian Fox

Sunday School Notes
Psalm 110 a psalm of David
Genesis 14:13 - Melchizedek was king of Salem (Jerusalem), a priest. He blessed Abram, who submitted to the king and gave him a tenth of his goods.

Psalm 110:1 - A good reminder in these times of conflict that the world is God's footstool.

What does verse one mean? We don't know. Is David talking about God's son Jesus? How did he know?

Hebrews 6:20 Jesus is a high priest.

7:1-3 was Melchizedek a heavenly being? Pre-incarnate? Probably not, but he was like the Son of God. Not the point.

v 4-8 Abraham was blessed by the King. The Levitical priesthood was not enough. Another priest was needed.

v 23 Melchizedek was a great man, but some of the words were figurative. The point is to ask: was he a type of Christ? Yes. He was an Old Testament figure who pointed toward Jesus. Like Moses. Like David taking on Goliath. A foreshadowing of He is to come.

Psalm 110:4 Jesus is forever our priest. His priesthood is…

1. Superior to the law.
2. Sufficient to save "It is finished".
3. Satisfactory. God's wrath has been satisfied.
4. Ceaseless, it continues even right now - seated at the right hand of God.

Three responses, for when we understand Jesus' priesthood…
1. Should result in worship.
2. Should reinforce in our minds how Jesus is the only way to salvation. No one else did what Jesus accomplished.
3. May this news refuel our zeal to share this news with others.

Approx 25 in Sunday School.

Johnson Ferry is a good church, but could certainly improve in the erasable marker department.