OBS Lecture Day 6: Baptism As Fitting Obedience

Activity: (For each student) Present your simple inductive Bible Study on Chapter 5.

Baptism As Fitting Obedience

Baptism is the complete immersion of a person under water. It is not a sacrament to earn grace. It is obedience to Christ’s command. It does not wash away our sin, otherwise we would have to be baptized every time after we sin. It is a symbol of our spiritual death, burial and resurrection in Christ. It should be done as soon as possible after a person receives
Christ as his savior and Lord.

However, getting people to commit to baptism has been a common problem with most Bible Studies. Many people committed themselves to listen for 8 weeks, but are not ready to follow the Lord to baptism.

Why do people do not commit for Baptism?

1. Most people think that baptism is a form of changing their religion.
2. Many people do not understand the real meaning of baptism, especially when the OBS leader failed to explain the meaning of baptism and its necessity in Christian life.
3. Some people are blinded by Satan and have not really accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
4. Though some people may have actual physical or emotional reasons for delaying baptism, i.e. sickness, waiting for a loved one to be present to witness, etc.,in order to be obedient, they should commit to be baptized as soon as is possible.

Why should a new Christian commit for Baptism?

1. First, it is a commandment of God (Matthew 28:18-20).
2. Jesus was baptized and we need to follow his example.” He did not need to be baptized in order to be cleansed from sin. He was sinless. Nevertheless, he submitted himself to baptism. (Matt. 3:15) In the same way, baptism will not wash away our sins, but we need to be baptized to follow his example.
3. It is the symbol of our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (Romans 6:3-4).
4. It is by baptism that Christians take upon themselves the profession of being a follower of Christ (Acts 2:38).
5. The Bible gives many examples that once a person became a Christian, they were baptized at once. Baptism was never postponed in any examples we have from Scripture. (Mark 1:5, Acts 2:38-41, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:36, Acts 9:18, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:5, Acts 22:16).

Common Questions and Answers on Baptism

1. “Can I be a Christian but not commit to baptism?”
Ans. Yes, you can. Be reminded however, that without any valid reason not to be baptized, your profession of your faith as being a Christian is questionable.

2. “Can I have the baptism next time?”
Ans. Sure you can, but IF there is “NEXT TIME”. So when is the perfect time? It is NOW. Yes, you can, but you should not delay it. The Best time is as soon as possible.

3. “Can a person with a physical handicap be baptized?”
Ans. Definitely yes. The most extreme case that I have experienced so far was a man suffering from a stroke that could no walk. We carried him in his wheel chair into the water at a beach and were able to baptize him there. He was overjoyed to follow the Lord’s example and be baptized.

4. “Is baptism a requirement for salvation?”
Ans. No it is not, but it is fitting as proof of our following and professing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It will be very strange or inconsistent if we profess that we are Christian but do not obey his commandment. The word/title we always use with Jesus’ name is “Lord.” To make Jesus your LORD means you make him your boss. You obey him. If you do agree to be baptized, He is not really your LORD, is he?

5. “Is baptism a change of religion?”
Ans. Literally, it is not, but spiritually yes, it is. It is because before, we were not really a Christian. But now after believing the true Gospel as taught in the Bible, we are. By following our Lord through baptism, we confirm our profession of faith, declaring our allegiance with him. Spiritually speaking, there is a change – a change of allegiance from a dead religion to a living relationship. We have become a child of God.

6. “Is it ok to still go to my OLD CHURCH after baptism?”
Ans. It will still be your choice. But the Bible in the book of Ephesians 2:19-22 (one of our lessons) speaks that we are now a citizen and a part of a family of Christ and not of the world. We should worship God along with “other believers”. The question you must answer is; “Are the people in your former church true Christians?” Remember that being a true Christian is accepting and having a personal relationship with God.

You make Jesus your Lord or boss. And we discover what He says and wants us to do directly from His word, the Bible. It is your decision, your choice if you think you can still worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) in your old church. If not, let us keep on worshipping here in the group we have started. This is how Christians in the Bible first started. They met and worshipped in their own homes. If you would like to visit our church, that is fine too, but I urge you to stay here and worship and grow and learn all that God has for us and wants for us to do for Him.

7. “Can baptism wash away my sins?”
Ans. NO!!! Baptism is a symbol that we are dead to sin and now alive in Christ Jesus. It cannot wash away our sins. It is the blood of Christ that washed away our sins.

Baptism is a picture of death in how a person is lowered into the grave. Then there is the picture of resurrection of when he comes up again. Sprinkling or pouring water over a person does not give this same picture. This is the spiritual truth of what has happened to us. We need to give an accurate picture of this as a witness. And our baptism is a further witness in being a kind of pledge of our allegiance to Christ as our Savior and Lord. We have crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)

8. “What is the shortest definition of Baptism?”
Ans. Obedience. And again, the longer definition of baptism is: Baptism is the complete immersion of a person under water. It is a symbol of our spiritual death, burial and resurrection in Christ.

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