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Baptism Sunday

November 1, 2015 Speaker: Gary

Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20

Baptism

1) What is baptism?
The word “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptize” which means “to immerse.”
Acts 8:35-38, Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
What are some observations we can make about baptism in this passage?

2) Why do we baptize people?
Matthew 28:18-20. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Based on what Jesus says here, why should we baptize people? How is baptism related to making disciples?

3) Who do we baptize?
Acts 16:29-33. And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
What do we learn from this text about who can be baptized? What do you think Paul taught about Jesus that the jailer needed to believe to be saved? (See Romans 10:9, for example).

4) What does baptism mean?
What do we learn about the meaning of baptism from these texts – Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13?