Sermon notes:
1. The word Baptism means to dip.
2. Christian baptism does not save you. (Luke 23:39-43; 1 Peter 3:21)
3. Christian baptism is symbolic of what Jesus has done for us through His death and resurrection. (Romans 6:3-7)
4. Christian baptism is a public confession of faith in Jesus. (Matthew 10:32- 33)
5. Christian baptism is an act of obedience.
6. Christian baptism should happen after believing in Jesus. (Matthew 28:18- 20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-38; 10:44-48)
7. Spiritually mature believers don’t under or over emphasize Christian baptism.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Icebreaker:
What is one thing that you have noticed causes division in the Church?
Digging Deeper:
1. In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul is dealing with divisions in the young Corinthian church. Why do you think Paul said what he said in 1 Corinthians 1:13-17?
2. Do you think baptism can be divisive in the church today? What has been your journey in trying to understand this topic?
3. Read Matthew 28:18-20. After Jesus arose from the dead, He told His disciples to go make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Why do you think it is important to Jesus that people get baptized after they become believers?
4. Read Romans 6:3-7. In these verses, how is water baptism a symbol of what Jesus has done for us through His death and resurrection? When you were water baptized what was going on in your mind? How was God speaking to you?
5. Read Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-38, and Acts 10:44-48. In these verses, what should a person do before they are water baptized?
6. In the message on Sunday, Pastor Frank said that spiritually mature believers don’t under or over emphasize Christian baptism. Have you seen people “under” or “over” emphasize Christian baptism? Please share.
7. Can you think of any good reasons why a person would believe in Jesus and yet refuse to be baptized?
Taking it Home:
If you have been water baptized, pray this week for Jesus to help you to remember that special day and all that it means. If you have not been baptized, what’s been keeping you? Pray that God will bring you clarity.
Meditation of the week:
With great simplicity, without pomp, without any considerable novelty or preparation, and without expense, a person is dipped in water. Amid the utterance of some few words, they are moistened, and then rises again, not the much (physically) cleaner. But because of that, the consequent attainment of eternity is esteemed the more incredible. Early Church Father Tertullian 198 AD. (c.198,W), 3.669