Message Based Curriculm (May 20)

H2O

Gary’s message this week addressed one of the most controversial issues in the Church today – Baptism. The subject of Baptism has caused church splits, family splits, & been a component in the formation of denominations. The most amazing part about this, is that Scripture is very clear about:

• Who should get Baptized
• The method of Baptism
• When a person should get Baptized

As with most things in the Bible, the Church has done a very good job of complicating an issue that is very clear in Scripture.

Read to start:

From the early days of Christianity, water Baptism was used as a public confession of a changed life. Prior to Jesus arriving on the scene, John the Baptist Baptized people in the Jordan River as a public confession of Repentance from sin (See Matthew 3:1-12, & Luke 3:1-3). Even Jesus went to John the Baptist and was water Baptized (See Matthew 3:13-16 & Luke 3:21-22).

Acts 2:37-38 (NIV):

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Commentary on Acts 2:37-38:

Peter calls upon his audience to change their opinion of and attitude toward Jesus and to be Baptized in the name of Jesus as a public acknowledgement that they had accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Baptism in and of itself is not a means of forgiveness and salvation. For the early Church, however, there was no separation between ritual and reality. Coming to Christ and being Baptized were mutually inclusive.

Discussion questions:

Who should be Baptized?

Christ Followers, those who have willfully and deliberately made a decision to repent and place their faith in Jesus and follow Him.

Read:

One of the most disputed areas in the disagreements about Baptism is in the method. Some believe Baptism is as a child by being sprinkled, some believe Baptism is after salvation by being sprinkled, some believe you get Baptized 3 times, some believe you get down in the water, some believe the pastor has to get down in the water with you. There are many different beliefs in the method, but let’s see what the Bible has to say:

Matthew 3:16 (NIV):

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water…

Acts 8:38-39 (NIV):

38…And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he Baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water…

Commentary:

It seems clear from these 2 passages of Scripture that both the Baptism of Jesus and the Baptism of the eunuch were done by immersion. The early Christians were Baptized by immersion, meaning their bodies were in the water, went under the water, and came up out of the water. The Greek word for Baptism – Baptizeo – means to wash, immerse, dip under. The word in and of itself literally means to immerse oneself. At RSC we believe and practice Baptism by immersion.

Discussion question:

What method of Baptism do you subscribe to or were you raised with?

Obviously answers will vary here, but the discussion could be interesting.

Read:

Another hot spot in the Baptism disagreement is timing. Many people were Baptized as infants and young children before they were even able to comprehend who Jesus is or what He has done for them. There is nothing wrong with being Baptized as a young child, but it is simply a nice memory for your family and holds no Biblical backing.

Acts 8:12 (NIV)

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were Baptized, both men and women.

Commentary:

Every instance of Baptism in the New Testament is AFTER someone becomes a follower of Jesus (See Acts 2:41, 10:48, 22:16). Baptism is our way of telling and showing the world that we have chosen to become a follower of Jesus. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward condition.

Discussion question:

When does Scripture teach us a person should get Baptized?

Baptism is the 1^st act of obedience after repenting and placing our faith in Jesus.

Conclusion:

Why do I need to get Baptized?

• Baptism let’s the world know I am a follower of Jesus Christ
• 
  

Colossians 2:12 (NIV):

…having been buried with Him in Baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

• Baptism illustrates my new life as a Christ Follower

Romans 6:4 (NIV):

We were therefore buried with Him through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

• Baptism demonstrates my obedience to Christ

Matthew 28:19 (NIV):

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, Baptizing them…

As humans, we don’t like to be told what to do, but Christ tells us to be Baptized.

HT Leaders:

Ask your group if anyone is getting Baptized next weekend and ask them to share why they have chosen to get Baptized now.