Jesus performed many miracles, wonders, & signs; we have a good number of them recorded in the Bible. He turned water into wine, fed 20,000+ with 2 fish & 5 loaves, healed the leper, gave sight to the blind, led the lame to walk, voice to the mute, drove demons from the possessed, & raised the dead to life – and many, many more. But before all the miracles; before the Sermon on the Mount; before the temptation in the desert, He did something else that He also expects of those who receive the call to “FOLLOW ME”.

Jesus didn’t NEED to be baptized – but He wanted to leave us with an example to follow. Jesus tells John that His baptism is “fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness”. Jesus is baptized as a symbol of giving His will up to His Father and the beginning of His earthly ministry. Today, as we continue our series “NOW WHAT…WHAT NOW?”, we’re going to take a look at baptism — what it is and what it means to Jesus & for the Christ-follower. C’mon in, the water’s fine…A Li’l Dip’ll Do Ya’

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“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” Hebrews 10:14 (NRSV)

“It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process” Hebrews 10:14 (MSG)

Outward ________ will be reflective of our inward ______

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized” Mark 1:9 (ESV)

BAPTISM DOES NOT ______ YOU

The act of baptism is an expression of ______ and ____________, not the means of salvation

“…baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 3:21 (NLT)

BAPTISM IS NOT ____________ OR ____________ TRUE FAITH RESULTS IN ____________ “

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented” Matthew 3:13-15 (NIV)

***IF BAPTISM WAS IMPORTANT TO JESUS, IT SHOULD BE IMPORTANT TO US***

Baptism takes you from the point of salvation to the point of _____________ “

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; …” Acts 2:38

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” Acts 2:42

“All those who had believed were together and had all things in common” Acts 2:44

ARTICLE XII: Baptism We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement and incorporation into the Body of Christ. Baptism is a means of grace proclaiming faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. It is to be administered to believers indicating their full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness. As participants in the new covenant, young children and the morally innocent may be baptized upon request of parents or guardians. The church shall give assurance of Christian training. Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. (Matthew 3:1-7; 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48; 16:29-34; 19:1-6; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:18-22) (MANUAL 2017-21, Church of the Nazarene, Articles of Faith)

Baptism Scripture References:
Acts 2:38 Acts 8:12, 36-38
Acts 10:44, 47-48 (17-48)
Acts 16:33 (25-34) [Philippi jailer]
Acts 19:5 (1-7) [The Holy Spirit & Baptism]
Acts 22:16 (1-16)
Galatians 3:27 (1-[23-29]) [Law, Grace. Faith] (Not an exhaustive list)