1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,400 Help and understanding we're going to read from the 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:04,720 scriptures first Peter chapter 3. 3 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:09,280 We're going to read from verse 15 to the end, breaking into the 4 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:14,160 chapter first Peter chapter 3 verse 15, 5 00:00:25,390 --> 00:00:33,110 first Peter chapter 3, verse 15. But sanctify the Lord God in 6 00:00:33,110 --> 00:00:38,200 your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man 7 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,520 that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with 8 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:46,640 meekness and fear having a good conscience. 9 00:00:47,480 --> 00:00:52,920 And for as they speak evil of views as of evil doers, they may 10 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,600 be a shame that falsely accuse your false your good 11 00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:00,720 conversation in Christ. For it is better if the will of 12 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:05,840 God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 13 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:10,280 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for 14 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:14,000 the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in 15 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:18,360 the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, but which also He went 16 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:22,160 and preached unto the spirits in prison, but some time were 17 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,040 disobedient. But once the long-suffering of 18 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:26,760 God. We had it in the days of Noah, 19 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,440 while the ark was a preparing for in few. 20 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:33,880 That is to say 8 souls were saved by water. 21 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:40,960 The lake figure were unto even Baptism doth also now save us, 22 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:45,320 not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the 23 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:49,760 answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection 24 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,920 of Jesus Christ, who was gone into heaven, and He was on the 25 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:58,800 right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers be made 26 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,600 subject unto him. Amen. 27 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:04,040 We know the Lord will stamp with his own approval and blessing 28 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:07,640 this reading of His own precious and infallible word. 29 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:16,280 Now this morning my text is taken from first Peter chapter 3 30 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:19,600 verse 21. It reads as follows. 31 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:24,680 The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us, 32 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,720 not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the 33 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:31,320 answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection 34 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:37,360 of Jesus Christ. Now my subject today is entitled 35 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:44,200 The Christian and Why Baptism Matters, and this text is like a 36 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:48,880 springboard text to this particular subject. 37 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:54,320 Now the doctrine of baptism is a most controversial subject. 38 00:02:55,400 --> 00:03:00,120 It is one that is highly divisive and greatly abused, 39 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:04,480 especially within the ranks of the Reformed Christian Church. 40 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,880 You see many professing Christians relegate baptism to a 41 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:12,120 place of unimportance. Doesn't really matter, it's 42 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:16,880 insignificant. Others totally ignore the 43 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:20,880 doctrine altogether. And there are some who 44 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:26,440 foolishly, we could even say wrongly, regard baptism as an 45 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:32,680 absolute necessity, as the entrance into church membership. 46 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:37,080 So you can't come and join this church unless you're baptised. 47 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:42,640 That's what some foolishly say, and then there's others. 48 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:48,160 They go further. They preach that baptism is an 49 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:53,480 indispensable condition for personal salvation. 50 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:59,880 So they equate baptism and personal salvation on the same 51 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:04,440 level. In 1998, Pastor John MacArthur 52 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:09,520 preached A sermon and entitled it Baptism, a Matter of 53 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,760 Obedience. Now, I haven't listened to him, 54 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:16,920 but I've taken an extract during the sermon. 55 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:23,640 He said this, that baptism was not a very popular subject 56 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:25,840 today. That was 27 years ago. 57 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:30,400 It is not of great interest within the evangelical 58 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:32,920 community. It has been years since I've 59 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:36,920 seen any new book written in baptism or any book emphasising 60 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:41,360 baptism or any series of messages emphasising baptism. 61 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:46,840 The interest in baptism has sort of gone away and that is sad to 62 00:04:46,840 --> 00:04:53,840 say in many cases, he added. It's amazing how many people who 63 00:04:53,840 --> 00:04:58,400 proclaim and profess Christ as Lord and Saviour and they have 64 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:06,040 never been properly baptised. Now that was in 1998. 65 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:10,720 Now I have to confess it's been many years since I preached in 66 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,080 this subject. Back then when I did preach on 67 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:17,400 it, and I can't think it's 12, maybe 15 years ago, I preached 2 68 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:22,760 sermons, 1 on believers baptism. And that sermon was following in 69 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,040 the footsteps of men like John Bunyan, William Carey, John 70 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:29,480 Gill, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. And then the following Sunday, 71 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,080 and I'm not sure if I'll do the same this time round, but the 72 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:37,240 following Sunday I preached on the same subject, baptism. 73 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:42,440 And I entitled the message why Presbyterians believe that 74 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:48,440 baptism may be administered to the children of believing 75 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,560 parents. And again, we were following 76 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:54,120 then the tradition of Luther, John Calvin, George Whitfield, 77 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:58,080 Robert Mary Mcsheehan. Now, since then, just 12 or 15 78 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:03,360 years ago, I have not preached any sermon exclusively dealing 79 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:06,440 with the subject of baptism. Now. 80 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,800 Why? Because it is a most 81 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:16,880 controversial, highly divisive, greatly abused doctrine. 82 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:21,880 Listen to me carefully. The Free Presbyterian Church of 83 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:26,280 Ulster in their Articles of faith. 6A State the Free 84 00:06:26,280 --> 00:06:29,080 Presbyterian Church, under Christ the Great Head and King 85 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:36,320 of the Church, realises the bitter controversy reaching 86 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,360 around the ordinance of Christian baptism has divided 87 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:42,560 the Body of Christ, when that the body should have been united 88 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:47,040 in Christian love and Holy Ghost power to stem the onslaughts and 89 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,280 hail inspired assaults of modernism. 90 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,400 Hereby affirm. These members of the Free 91 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:55,600 Presbyterian Church shall have liberty to decide for himself 92 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:59,480 which course to adopt, each member giving due honour and 93 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,960 love to the views held by difference. 94 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:07,960 Brethren, we reject the thought of baptismal regeneration, that 95 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:11,640 baptism makes someone a Christian, and we also reject 96 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:15,920 the thought that baptism is necessary to salvation while 97 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:21,320 believing that every child of God should be baptised. 98 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:25,880 That's article 6A of the Articles of Faith of the Free 99 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:30,120 Presbyterian Church. Now, in light of this, I've been 100 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:32,520 asked. I'm doing it now. 101 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:37,520 I'm going to preach again on this subject and if it's simply 102 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:42,640 entitled it the Christian and why baptism matters. 103 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:46,240 Now, this particular sermon this morning will probably lean 104 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:50,920 heavily on what we're calling properly believers baptism. 105 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:57,680 But where do we start? Well, the best place to start is 106 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:01,640 to go to the Holy Scriptures. So we'll ask a fundamental 107 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:06,160 question. What Seth the Scriptures, what 108 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:10,000 does the Bible teach about the subject of baptism? 109 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,640 How does the Scriptures treat this particular subject? 110 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:16,680 You see the word baptism. Look at our text. 111 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:20,320 Isn't it mentioned there? The like figure were unto even 112 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,200 baptism underlined the word baptism. 113 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:26,520 That's mentioned 23 times in our authorised version. 114 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,640 And here's the last one. So rather than going to the 115 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,280 first one, we're going to the last one. 116 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,919 Here's the last one, mentions baptism, 23 references. 117 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:39,400 That's a lot. Added to that, the word baptise, 118 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:44,360 if we're thinking of the verb, it's mentioned 59 times. 119 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,840 And then we could go even further because we could think 120 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:54,800 of the word baptised, baptised with AD on it. 121 00:08:55,400 --> 00:09:01,120 It's mentioned 51 times. So the word baptism's 23. 122 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:06,880 The word baptised is 59 and the word baptised is 51. 123 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:10,120 That's a lot. So the Bible has a lot to say 124 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:16,240 about this particular subject. Now hopefully I'll get through 125 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,760 this in reasonable time. Listen to me very carefully. 126 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:25,760 Here's the first point, the mention of baptism. 127 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:30,000 Look at our text. The late figure were unto even 128 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:37,440 baptism doth also now save us. Think of the mention of baptism. 129 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:44,400 Why does baptism matter? Baptism matters because there's 130 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:51,840 a principle command to be obeyed, and that principle 131 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:56,080 command to be obeyed is the true basis for baptism. 132 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,480 That is the key. That's the main foundation. 133 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:06,800 And if you want that command, let's go to Matthew chapter 28 134 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,520 and look with me at the verse 19. 135 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:17,240 Here's the Great Commission. The Lord Jesus has been bodily 136 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:21,760 raised from the dead. He's with his band of 11 137 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:26,240 disciples just prior to his ascension up to glory. 138 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:31,280 He's on the Mount of Olivet and here's what he says to them. 139 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:33,400 And these words are known as the Great Commission. 140 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:37,520 If we take in verse 18 and Jesus came and speak unto them, 141 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:41,880 saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and on earth go ye 142 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:44,360 therefore. The word therefore means in 143 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:49,040 light of this and teach all nations. 144 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:56,840 The word teach there means to disciple, baptising them in the 145 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:01,640 name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, 146 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:04,480 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I've commanded 147 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:07,720 you, and though I am with you all way even unto the end of the 148 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,720 world, the word world there means age. 149 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:13,680 Amen. So shall it be. 150 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:21,360 We call Matthew 18, sorry, Matthew 28, verses 18 to 20, the 151 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:25,200 Great Commission or the Christians Charter for 152 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:29,080 evangelism or or the Lord's Manifesto for the Church. 153 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:35,040 But notice at the heart of this here's why baptism matters, 154 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:38,120 because it's the solemn responsibility. 155 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:43,320 It was the duty for the apostles, therefore the pastor, 156 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:48,920 the minister, the elder, the evangelist, to baptise those 157 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:53,000 who've become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ or those 158 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:56,320 who've become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. 159 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:59,960 You see, the Great Commission is not just to go and evangelise. 160 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:03,960 That's an integral part that's acknowledged, but it's only a 161 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:08,840 part. It is also to teach. 162 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:13,160 And I've already said the word teach here in verse 19 means to 163 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:17,040 disciple. It's also about making 164 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:21,240 disciples. Now notice it begins with 165 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:24,720 evangelism, the preaching of the gospel, the call to repent and 166 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:29,160 believe the Gospel. And this evangelism, preaching 167 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:31,440 the gospel, leads to true conversion. 168 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:38,760 Those who've got converted then they're disabled and part of 169 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:45,320 that discipleship is that they are baptised an indoctrinated 170 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:49,760 into the Christian faith. I hope you see that there turn 171 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:53,440 over to the book of Acts. Now Acts chapter 2. 172 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,760 Remember in the day of Pentecost there was 3000 converted. 173 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:07,920 It says Acts chapter 2 verse 41. Follow with me Acts 2 verse 41. 174 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:12,440 Then they that gladly received his word. 175 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:17,320 That's Peter's sermon, by the way, that's the call to repent 176 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,840 and believe. Then they that gladly received 177 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:27,360 his word were baptised, and the same day they were added unto 178 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:30,640 them about 3000 souls. And they continued steadfastly 179 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:33,400 in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of 180 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:40,360 bread and of prayers. The Great Commission required 181 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:46,480 the teaching of baptism to the new converts, and it sort of 182 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:52,840 suggests that their discipleship is not fully complete without 183 00:13:52,840 --> 00:14:00,760 baptism. Now the practise of baptism is 184 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:06,160 based directly to the command of the Lord Jesus to do it. 185 00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:10,520 Note then it's impossible to obey the Great Commission and 186 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:14,800 neglect baptism. It's an integral part of Jesus 187 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:19,080 final command to his disciples. This is in the context of making 188 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:21,760 disciples and I'm teaching them to observe all things that he 189 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:25,160 has commanded. And this fact alone should teach 190 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:30,200 us that that baptism matters, that baptism is important. 191 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:35,200 This was an ordinance for the early Christian Church. 192 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:41,360 It was given by the Lord. It was widely preached in the 193 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:43,040 early church. Let me just give you the 194 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:45,200 references. I would love to turn to every 195 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:48,320 one of them. Acts chapter 2, verse 41. 196 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:54,160 Acts 836 and 39. The conversion of the Ethiopian 197 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:57,560 eunuch. Acts 9 and 18. 198 00:14:59,440 --> 00:15:02,400 Acts 1047 in the House of Cornelius. 199 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:06,760 Acts 16 and 33 in the House of the Philippian gaoler. 200 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:12,360 Acts 18 and 8, The conversion and baptism of Crispus, the 201 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:16,120 leader of the synagogue. Acts 19 and five. 202 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,400 It was expounded by the apostles. 203 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:21,320 Romans chapter 6, verses one to six. 204 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:24,080 Although let me add this, and I want to emphasise this, there's 205 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:28,160 absolutely no water in Romans chapter 6 verses one to six. 206 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:32,920 None whatsoever. Not a drop Colossians 2, it's 207 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:37,960 the same thing. And first Peter 3 and of course 208 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:45,320 it's mentioned here in verse 21. We could add in Hebrews 6 and 209 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:49,480 one here's a command for everyone who becomes the 210 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,960 disciple of Jesus Christ. Now you can't avoid it. 211 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,320 If you're concerned about following the Lord Jesus Christ, 212 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,120 loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, living 213 00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:03,960 in obedience to Him, living in fellowship with Him, wanting to 214 00:16:03,960 --> 00:16:07,080 please Him, then you will be concerned about this command. 215 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,200 Because this is a command about baptism. 216 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:15,000 A man by the name of FB Meyer once said, the word of God is 217 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:19,480 not given to be admired for its beauty or studied for its 218 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,920 detail. It is given to be obeyed. 219 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:30,560 Listen again to the command. Go ye therefore, and teach or 220 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:35,640 disciple all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, 221 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:37,960 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 222 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:43,240 So in the mention of baptism in the last reference, we're 223 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:47,000 thinking about a principal command to be obeyed. 224 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:52,120 Now you think secondly, and I want you to follow through with 225 00:16:52,120 --> 00:17:01,880 me in this, think about the mandate for baptism, why baptism 226 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:10,440 matters. You see, there's a patron to be 227 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:19,680 considered baptisms necessary because baptism is the result of 228 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:24,839 genuine faith in Christ. Now we live in a day and an hour 229 00:17:24,839 --> 00:17:29,360 when thousands, 10s of thousands profess and claim were born 230 00:17:29,360 --> 00:17:32,680 again. We love the Lord Jesus Christ. 231 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,200 We put our hand up on a meeting, we walked a Nile, we signed a 232 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:39,560 card. But very few of those who 233 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:42,440 profess the name of Christ live any differently. 234 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:47,680 They certainly don't live any differently than the rest of the 235 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:51,880 population. They asked him, how do you know 236 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:53,680 you're saved? Well, the preacher told me it 237 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:55,840 was saved. He that believeth hath 238 00:17:55,840 --> 00:18:00,360 everlasting life. Or the The councillor told me, 239 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:04,440 if I just received Christ, that Christ promised eternal life to 240 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:09,160 all who receive him, and I am assured of a home in heaven, and 241 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:13,000 I'm eternally secure in Christ. But are they? 242 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:19,800 Maybe, but how do we know The Lord Jesus said this? 243 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:21,160 By their fruits you shall know them. 244 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:25,320 Paul said if any man be in Christ he's a new creature. 245 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:29,080 Old things have passed away and old things have become new and 246 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:35,280 all things are of God. You see the chief question that 247 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:38,080 has to be asked is this for everyone who professes the name 248 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:41,040 of Christ, cause the Bible says let everyone know names the name 249 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:44,960 of Christ depart from iniquity. You see, the chief question is 250 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:47,840 this, has God changed their heart? 251 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:51,360 Have they got new life in Christ? 252 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:55,240 Has he regenerated them from being spiritually dead to being 253 00:18:55,360 --> 00:18:59,040 spiritually alive in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit? 254 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,880 And there's their genuine evidence of new life in Christ. 255 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:06,240 Let me illustrate. Here's a new baby just born into 256 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:09,640 the family. Baby will be brought home from 257 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:12,080 the hospital. What's going to happen to the 258 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:13,800 baby during the day and at night? 259 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:19,080 We're going to hear what's wrong with the baby, Mummy. 260 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,520 The baby's hungry. The baby needs to be changed. 261 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:27,880 You see the crying of the baby, that's a sign of life in that 262 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:30,160 baby. There's an appetite for milk. 263 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:34,360 That baby wants to be fed. That baby wants to grow. 264 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,960 That's a sign of life. The baby has life. 265 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:44,320 And here's the evidence. The Bible says as newborn babes 266 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:47,520 desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. 267 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:51,040 And if you're a new babe in Christ, whether you're just 268 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:54,760 newly saved, you've been saved for some time, there'll be a 269 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:57,680 love for Christ. There'll be a longing for 270 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:00,520 Christ. You'll want to know him better. 271 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,760 There will be a hatred for sin. There'll be a a love for other 272 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:06,920 believers. I'll tell you something. 273 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:08,520 There'll be a love for the day of God. 274 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:11,600 There'll be a love for the House of God. 275 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,840 There will be a love for the Word of God and the people of 276 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:18,320 God. You, you can't separate that. 277 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,240 You can't divorce that from this new life in Christ. 278 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:29,000 The evidence of new life in Christ will be seen. 279 00:20:29,120 --> 00:20:31,520 There'll be a a change. There'll be a growth. 280 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,160 Yes, there'll be many struggles. Yes, there'll be setbacks. 281 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:37,400 Yes, there'll be bouts of falling into sin and maybe even 282 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:42,200 backsliding, but there'll be an overall progress towards growth 283 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:47,320 in the things of God. Someone has said, I don't know 284 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:54,800 who, no growth, no God. If someone professes that 285 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,760 they're in Christ, but there's no growth in the things of God, 286 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:03,280 then it's a clear evidence that their heart and life has not 287 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,560 been changed. If a person has no desire to 288 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:11,520 obey God, remember the Lord Jesus said in John chapter 14 289 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:19,200 and in the verse 15 If you love me, keep my commandments. 290 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:24,480 And over there in first John and chapter 2 and in verse four and 291 00:21:24,480 --> 00:21:29,240 five listen to the word of God first John chapter 2 verse four 292 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:32,880 and five. He that saith I know him and 293 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:38,720 keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in 294 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:43,040 him, but whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God 295 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:47,520 perfected. Hereby know we that we are in 296 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:52,400 Him. You see, there has to be the 297 00:21:52,400 --> 00:22:00,920 genuineness of 1's faith, and if there is the genuineness of 1 298 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:07,680 faith, the faith that saves us, that faith, of course, in 299 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:12,200 Christ. We confess that faith in Christ 300 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:18,720 through the waters of baptism. Remember what we read in the 301 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:22,800 book of Acts of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts chapter 8. 302 00:22:23,120 --> 00:22:26,000 And we read there in the verse 37. 303 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:30,600 The Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip a question and it was 304 00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:37,560 this, see here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptised? 305 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:40,120 And Philip said, If thou believe us with all thine heart, thou 306 00:22:40,120 --> 00:22:42,200 mayest. And he answered and said, I 307 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,640 believe that Jesus Christ is Son of God. 308 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,520 And he commanded the chariot to stand still. 309 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:52,400 And they went both down into the water, both Philip and the 310 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:56,760 eunuch, and he baptised him. And when they were come out, 311 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:00,720 come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away. 312 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,880 Philip and the eunuch saw him the war, and he went on his way 313 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:07,320 rejoicing. You see, here's the point this 314 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:09,880 morning. There's a close connection 315 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:13,560 between belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and the 316 00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:16,040 subject in the ordinance of baptism. 317 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:21,040 So the idea of an unbaptized believer is foreign to the New 318 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:23,680 Testament. Faith in Jesus Christ alone 319 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:27,440 brings to the individual a knowledge of sins forgiven and 320 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:31,480 and baptism is the outward sign that demonstrates that inward 321 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:36,440 faith in Christ. Study all the passages in the 322 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:40,600 book of Acts and the order is always the same. 323 00:23:41,120 --> 00:23:44,560 Belief in Christ and then baptism. 324 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:48,320 Acts 241. Acts 812. 325 00:23:49,120 --> 00:23:53,600 Acts 836 to 39. Acts 1044 to 48. 326 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:54,480 A. The House of Cornelius. 327 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:58,560 Acts 1630 to 34. The Philippine gaoler. 328 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:02,760 Acts 18 to 8-9. Crispus of the leader of the 329 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:04,200 synagogue. Acts 19. 330 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:06,280 One to five. You see, here's a clear pattern. 331 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:11,080 The pattern is established in the context that those who 332 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:14,480 responded to the word of God, those who heard the gospel, 333 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,280 those who heard the call to repent and believe in Christ, 334 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:21,760 their repentance and belief in Christ was followed by the 335 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:25,040 ordinance of baptism. And baptism therefore, is 336 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:29,280 distinct from true saving faith. Now, let me stress this this 337 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:32,680 morning to couple of minutes. Listen to me very carefully. 338 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,800 Baptism is not the door to church membership. 339 00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:41,920 It is not the door to church membership is the new birth. 340 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:47,440 Being born again of the Spirit of God places a person into the 341 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:51,960 body of Christ. Membership into the universal 342 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:57,400 Church is by the new birth. Remember this was emphasised by 343 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:03,120 the Apostle Peter in Acts chapter 2 and in the verse 47. 344 00:25:03,360 --> 00:25:06,040 It is not membership to the door of the church. 345 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:10,080 It says praising God and having favour with all the people and 346 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:16,040 the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 347 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:19,640 The Lord Jesus said, marvel not that I say unto thee, you must 348 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:21,720 be born again. How do you get into the 349 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:24,440 universal church? How do you get into the body of 350 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:26,920 Christ? You say I want to become a 351 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:30,520 member when you're born again of the Spirit of God and you're 352 00:25:30,520 --> 00:25:35,040 pleased into the body of Christ in in union with him, and then 353 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:39,880 upon that profession of faith, once you're in the, what we call 354 00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:46,760 it the universal church, then you can become a member of the 355 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:50,960 local church. If we asked the Ethiopian 356 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:55,080 eunuch, was he asked by Philip to join a church by the side of 357 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:59,120 the road South of Jerusalem? What about the Philippian gaoler 358 00:25:59,120 --> 00:26:01,320 in Acts 6 in the middle of the night? 359 00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:07,600 You see, in the New Testament, baptism always comes after 360 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:11,920 belief. Baptism comes upon profession of 361 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:14,880 faith. It's not about church 362 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:18,920 membership. It is not the door into the 363 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:23,520 local church. Those assemblies insist upon it. 364 00:26:23,880 --> 00:26:27,760 You can't come and join this church unless you're baptised. 365 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:31,720 I believe they're wrong. I'll tell you something else. 366 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,000 Baptism is not the washing away of sin. 367 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:43,120 If you turn over there to Acts chapter 22, Acts chapter 22 and 368 00:26:43,120 --> 00:26:47,240 look with me at the verse 16 for it seems to suggest this Acts 369 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:53,080 chapter 22 and verse 16. Here's a verse to underline. 370 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:58,160 And thy white tarriest thou arisingly baptised, and wash 371 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:00,720 away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 372 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:04,600 And there's those who point to this here and say, there you 373 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:06,560 have it. It's clear. 374 00:27:06,560 --> 00:27:09,720 It's black and white. Baptism is connected to the 375 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:13,760 washing away of sins. Well, it's not. 376 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:18,400 How do we know that it's not? Well, listen to what Peter said. 377 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:22,080 Listen to our text. The like figure where unto even 378 00:27:22,080 --> 00:27:26,560 baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the 379 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:30,840 filth of the flesh. So that seems to contradict Acts 380 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:39,160 chapter 22 verse 16. How can one have his sins washed 381 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:42,880 away? Here's the answer by calling on 382 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:47,640 the name of the Lord. The word arise is a participle. 383 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:55,280 The words be baptised as a command, there's no and in 384 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:59,080 between, literally it's arising be baptised. 385 00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:05,400 Then comes the second command, wash away your sins, followed by 386 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:12,160 this act of participle calling, calling on who, calling on the 387 00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:15,680 name of the Lord. There's no indication in that 388 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:18,640 text that baptism washes away sin. 389 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,480 What washes away sin? The blood of Jesus Christ 390 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:26,120 cleanseth us from all sin. First John 1:00 and 7:00, and 391 00:28:26,120 --> 00:28:30,600 then in first Peter 3 and 21 he tells us what it's not. 392 00:28:30,600 --> 00:28:33,320 It's not the removal of the filth of the flesh. 393 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:36,680 It's an appeal to God for a good conscience. 394 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:39,480 Here's Peter giving an illustration of salvation. 395 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:43,840 He's comparing Noah's ark and the flood and the waters of 396 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:46,200 baptism. As the waters of divine 397 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:51,360 judgement fell upon the ark, so all the waves of God's wrath 398 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:56,000 fell in Christ and the cross. Christ is a type of the ark. 399 00:28:56,440 --> 00:28:59,840 The ark's a type of Christ. And in the ark, like all who are 400 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:03,320 in Christ, they're saved. They're, they're delivered from 401 00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:06,480 divine judgement and they're brought to a new life and, and, 402 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:11,520 and of a new world open up to them and those in Christ via a 403 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:15,000 personal faith in Christ. They're also delivered from 404 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:18,200 judgement in Christ. They'll never be in hell. 405 00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:23,680 They are raised to a new life. You see Noah and the ark as a 406 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:28,080 graphic illustration of our salvation in Christ. 407 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:31,360 As they entered into the ark, we have to enter into Christ. 408 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:33,000 How? Go through the door. 409 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:35,360 Christ is the door, I'm the door by me. 410 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:39,320 If any man enter in, he shall be saved in Christ. 411 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:42,920 You're saved from wrath, just as they were saved from the bellows 412 00:29:42,920 --> 00:29:47,240 of the wrath of the flood. I want to tell you a third 413 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:49,680 thing. Baptism is not the condition for 414 00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:53,360 salvation. I totally reject baptismal 415 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:55,000 regeneration. It's heresy. 416 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:56,680 Showed us the Free Presbyterian Church. 417 00:29:57,040 --> 00:30:01,040 I heard about a man on the radio preaching recently be baptised 418 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:04,560 in order to be saved. Well that's a lie because the 419 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:08,080 Bible says John 3 and 16. For God so loved the world that 420 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:10,760 He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him 421 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:14,160 should not perish, but have everlasting life. 422 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:20,000 And in John chapter 3 in the verse 18, it was made clear by 423 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:23,480 the Lord Jesus to Nicodemus this following statement. 424 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:26,960 He that believeth that Him is not condemned, but he that 425 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:30,960 believeth not as condemned already, because He had not 426 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:34,520 believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 427 00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:38,960 Baptism is not the ground for salvation. 428 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:42,080 Faith in Christ is the sole requirement. 429 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:47,760 Baptism's not a condition or a necessity for salvation. 430 00:30:47,760 --> 00:30:50,840 Baptism, as I've said, is not the ground for salvation, not 431 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:53,000 the basis. Baptism is the outward 432 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:57,520 confession that was expected to accomplish salvation. 433 00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:05,000 And you see passages like Mark chapter 16 verses 15 to 16, Acts 434 00:31:05,680 --> 00:31:12,920 chapter 2 verse 38, when they're studied, do not teach Baptism is 435 00:31:12,920 --> 00:31:18,320 essential for salvation. The only requirement, the sole 436 00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:22,840 requirement for salvation is faith in Christ. 437 00:31:23,280 --> 00:31:26,520 And if you compare Peter's sermon and Acts 2, and compare 438 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:30,560 Peter's sermon to the House of Cornelius, Acts 10 and 42, he 439 00:31:30,560 --> 00:31:35,360 only mentioned belief. There's no reference to baptism. 440 00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:44,240 It wasn't repent and be baptised, Cornelius, remember, 441 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:49,040 and his whole house believed. They received the Holy Ghost. 442 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:52,320 They speak in tongues, and then they were baptised. 443 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:56,000 Belief in Christ is the only condition for salvation. 444 00:31:57,040 --> 00:32:00,560 Remember in Ephesians 28 and 9. For by grace you see it through 445 00:32:00,560 --> 00:32:02,120 faith, and not not of yourselves. 446 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:04,280 It's the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should 447 00:32:04,280 --> 00:32:06,200 boast. Paul said, For Christ sent me 448 00:32:06,200 --> 00:32:08,760 not to baptise, but to preach the gospel. 449 00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:12,840 And what about the dying thief? He wasn't baptised and yet Jesus 450 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:15,600 said today shall thy be with me in paradise. 451 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:19,680 And if baptism was a necessity for salvation and for to get to 452 00:32:19,680 --> 00:32:22,080 heaven, the Lord Jesus couldn't have said that. 453 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:28,720 So what I'm stressing is this. Here's what baptism's not. 454 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:34,320 It's not the door into the local church for membership. 455 00:32:34,320 --> 00:32:35,960 It's not the washing away of sins. 456 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:40,120 It's not a condition that's necessary for salvation. 457 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:43,760 And that's all part of that mandate for baptism. 458 00:32:44,760 --> 00:32:46,600 Believe and be baptised very quickly. 459 00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:49,640 We're only getting to the Third Point, but bear with me for a 460 00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:53,680 few minutes. The meaning of baptism, you see, 461 00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:58,680 what is the purpose of baptism? What does baptism really mean? 462 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:04,560 Now let me emphasise this. The word baptism represents 463 00:33:04,760 --> 00:33:09,120 identification and that's where Romans 6 comes in. 464 00:33:09,560 --> 00:33:11,360 That's where Colossians 2 comes in. 465 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:16,280 It's identification with Christ in his death, in his suffering, 466 00:33:16,280 --> 00:33:18,560 in his burial and in his resurrection. 467 00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:22,920 First Corinthians 10 and two says all were baptised into 468 00:33:22,920 --> 00:33:25,440 Moses. That's the children of Israel 469 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:28,120 coming up out of Egypt in the cloud and in the sea. 470 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:31,080 What did that mean? Baptised into Moses? 471 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:36,040 That means they they were identified with Moses, they were 472 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:38,680 identified with him in his leadership. 473 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:42,520 And here's the primary meaning, without getting into all the 474 00:33:42,840 --> 00:33:47,040 etymology, of all the forms of baptism in the New Testament. 475 00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:53,080 Primarily it's about identification. 476 00:33:54,560 --> 00:34:01,240 And whenever the proselyte came, say from the Gentile world and 477 00:34:01,240 --> 00:34:06,400 become a member of Judaism, he was identifying with Judaism. 478 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,239 Those that came to John's baptism in the river Jordan and 479 00:34:11,239 --> 00:34:15,360 were baptised of him, identified with John in his ministry. 480 00:34:17,639 --> 00:34:23,239 And those in Christ who are born again with the Holy Ghost, put 481 00:34:23,239 --> 00:34:26,679 into Christ, they're identified with Christ. 482 00:34:27,199 --> 00:34:31,320 Romans 6 is all about identification. 483 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:36,000 Let me just take the trouble to read it out in Romans chapter 6 484 00:34:36,159 --> 00:34:39,000 and verse 6 if you can find the place. 485 00:34:39,239 --> 00:34:44,679 You look at it with me knowing this, that our old man is 486 00:34:44,679 --> 00:34:49,120 crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed. 487 00:34:49,120 --> 00:34:53,679 From henceforth we should not serve sin, for he that is dead 488 00:34:53,679 --> 00:34:56,960 is freed from sin. And we'll link it back up. 489 00:34:57,320 --> 00:34:59,640 Verse 3. Know you not that so many of us 490 00:34:59,640 --> 00:35:04,640 as were baptised into Jesus Christ, not water into Jesus 491 00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:07,880 Christ? We're baptised into His death, 492 00:35:08,320 --> 00:35:11,480 therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death. 493 00:35:11,960 --> 00:35:15,080 That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of 494 00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:18,400 the Father, Even so we also should walk in newness of life. 495 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:21,240 For we have been planted together in the likeness of His 496 00:35:21,240 --> 00:35:23,800 death. We should also be in the 497 00:35:23,800 --> 00:35:29,520 likeness of his resurrection. You see, Christian baptism is 498 00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:34,080 about identification. It's identifying oneself public 499 00:35:34,080 --> 00:35:37,920 with Jesus Christ. The individual is declaring a 500 00:35:37,920 --> 00:35:39,960 message. I'm depending on Jesus Christ 501 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:44,480 alone for salvation, for heaven. And O mindful believer, I belong 502 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:46,960 to Jesus Christ. I'm on his side. 503 00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:53,160 See, baptism by the Holy Spirit, baptism by the regenerating 504 00:35:53,160 --> 00:35:55,800 power of the Holy Ghost. We are placed into Christ where 505 00:35:55,800 --> 00:36:00,000 we're put into union with Christ in a a saving, real union. 506 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:03,080 And, and, and, and, and, and. The individual is identified 507 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:05,480 with Christ and his death on the cross. 508 00:36:06,480 --> 00:36:10,520 We died in him, in his sufferings, in his burial, in 509 00:36:10,520 --> 00:36:14,080 his resurrection and and it's an indication of the end of the old 510 00:36:14,080 --> 00:36:17,920 life. Publicly it shows and indicates 511 00:36:17,920 --> 00:36:20,960 the forgiveness and cleansing of the believer's sins. 512 00:36:21,560 --> 00:36:25,480 It shows that the individual has risen the new life in Christ. 513 00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:27,840 It is evidence of a love for Christ. 514 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:30,600 It declares A testimony to being converted and to the 515 00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:33,320 unconverted. It publicly confesses Christ 516 00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:38,920 when it's a true believer and the individual is baptised. 517 00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:42,560 It's declaring that the old Adam with its fleshly lusts has been 518 00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:46,320 crucified and we've been raised to a new life to the glory of 519 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:48,520 God. He is saying that his or her 520 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:52,640 desire by the power of the Holy Ghost is to walk in the newness 521 00:36:52,640 --> 00:36:55,440 of life. That's the meaning of baptism. 522 00:36:56,760 --> 00:36:59,080 Let me state very quickly and have just a couple more wee 523 00:36:59,080 --> 00:37:01,880 things and we're finished. Think about the members of 524 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:08,160 baptism who are the subjects. Well, only those who exercise 525 00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:12,040 faith in Christ and are repented of their sins and a new life in 526 00:37:12,040 --> 00:37:17,160 Christ should be baptised. And that's the emphasis of the 527 00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:21,040 New Testament. Think about the mode of baptism. 528 00:37:21,920 --> 00:37:25,480 In the early church, baptism was by immersion. 529 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:30,680 Today there's three modes, pouring, dipping, or sprinkling. 530 00:37:31,080 --> 00:37:35,600 But the Greek verb baptizo generally means to dip, to 531 00:37:35,600 --> 00:37:38,200 immerse, to plunge, to sink, to overwhelm. 532 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:42,720 In the Greek New Testament, the word baptizo was simply 533 00:37:42,720 --> 00:37:47,680 transliterated. It wasn't translated, King James 534 00:37:48,560 --> 00:37:54,720 translators just transliterated. It changed baptizo to baptise. 535 00:37:56,880 --> 00:38:00,320 Big debate as to why. Some argue it was because of the 536 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:02,800 practise already in the Church of England that they had 537 00:38:02,800 --> 00:38:06,200 sprinkling and that was popular and they didn't want to change 538 00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:11,240 it. Alfred Eldersheim, he details a 539 00:38:11,240 --> 00:38:14,240 baptism of a proselyte to Judaism and he said it was 540 00:38:14,240 --> 00:38:16,840 always in the 1st century by immersion. 541 00:38:17,680 --> 00:38:21,480 The figure that was used was by immersion because you go down 542 00:38:21,520 --> 00:38:25,040 into the water, you come up out of the water, Down into the 543 00:38:25,040 --> 00:38:30,720 water symbolises A burial. It's it's a baptism unto death, 544 00:38:31,560 --> 00:38:35,560 and then it's a coming up out of the water and you're rising to a 545 00:38:35,560 --> 00:38:38,520 new life. Think of the places in the Bible 546 00:38:38,520 --> 00:38:42,120 connected with baptism. It's interesting that John 547 00:38:42,120 --> 00:38:45,880 Calvin, whenever dealing with John chapter 3, verse 23 about 548 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:50,720 John baptising in Jordan, and we could add in Matthew chapter 3, 549 00:38:50,720 --> 00:38:57,320 verses 13 to 17, Acts 8 and 39. He said that in relation to John 550 00:38:57,320 --> 00:39:01,560 3 and 23, that when John baptised in Jordan, it was the 551 00:39:01,560 --> 00:39:06,840 plunging of the whole body under the water and bringing them up. 552 00:39:07,440 --> 00:39:11,200 Now that was John Calvin who was a Presbyterian, so you can see 553 00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:16,520 the difficulty here. But the mood in the 1st century 554 00:39:17,200 --> 00:39:23,560 was more than likely by if we use the word immersion or some 555 00:39:23,560 --> 00:39:28,120 people want to have a translated depth put into and brought up 556 00:39:28,160 --> 00:39:34,680 out of the manner of baptism is administrated in the name of the 557 00:39:34,680 --> 00:39:37,640 Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Why? 558 00:39:37,960 --> 00:39:42,640 That's the formula because it indicates total allegiance to 559 00:39:42,640 --> 00:39:45,800 all the persons in the Trinity. But if somebody's baptised in 560 00:39:45,800 --> 00:39:48,400 the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as we baptise Brother 561 00:39:48,400 --> 00:39:51,320 David, Dawpin didn't indicate that we were not being 562 00:39:51,320 --> 00:39:54,440 Trinitarian because that formula, been baptised in the 563 00:39:54,440 --> 00:39:58,400 name of the Lord Jesus Christ, is also used by Paul in the New 564 00:39:58,640 --> 00:40:01,680 Testament. But by and large, the manner is 565 00:40:03,600 --> 00:40:08,240 in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the memory of 566 00:40:08,240 --> 00:40:10,640 baptism. We'll finish with this this 567 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:17,480 morning over there in Psalm 19 verse 11, the psalmist said in 568 00:40:17,480 --> 00:40:21,600 the keeping of thy commandments is great reward. 569 00:40:22,440 --> 00:40:29,920 See, baptism is an ordinance, is commanded and appointed by the 570 00:40:29,920 --> 00:40:35,000 Lord, and if it's commanded by him go into all the world and 571 00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:37,800 teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, 572 00:40:37,800 --> 00:40:42,600 the Son of the Holy Spirit, then it ought to be taken seriously. 573 00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:48,720 And when you take something seriously, your father, mother 574 00:40:48,720 --> 00:40:53,080 gives you a command. You go and say tidy your room, 575 00:40:54,600 --> 00:41:01,680 you go and mow the lawn, wash the car, go to the shop and get 576 00:41:01,680 --> 00:41:05,360 something because you have heard that command and followed it 577 00:41:05,360 --> 00:41:08,160 through and did it to the best of your ability. 578 00:41:08,320 --> 00:41:11,560 Then you feel a sense of joy, you feel a sense of happiness, 579 00:41:11,680 --> 00:41:15,120 feel a sense of satisfaction. That's what the psalmist meant. 580 00:41:15,120 --> 00:41:18,440 In the keeping of thy commandments is great reward. 581 00:41:19,440 --> 00:41:23,040 And if we're called to believe as we are, as the ground of 582 00:41:23,040 --> 00:41:27,680 salvation and the evidence of new life in Christ, then is to 583 00:41:27,680 --> 00:41:31,240 follow through in a loving way these commands as evidence of 584 00:41:31,240 --> 00:41:34,040 that new life in Christ. One of those commands is to be 585 00:41:34,040 --> 00:41:37,520 baptised. So I ask this question, if 586 00:41:37,520 --> 00:41:40,840 you're a believer, you love Jesus Christ, you're following 587 00:41:40,840 --> 00:41:49,360 him, have you been baptised? Only you can answer the great 588 00:41:49,360 --> 00:41:55,080 joy, the true source of this command. 589 00:41:55,800 --> 00:41:59,440 That's the memorial of baptism. We'll leave it there for today. 590 00:41:59,440 --> 00:42:02,160 Her time is completely gone, as I knew it would be. 591 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:04,800 And I haven't even touched on the second part. 592 00:42:05,760 --> 00:42:08,800 But perhaps in the will of God we will look at the second part, 593 00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:12,040 which I feel is necessary to see it from the other angle.