III. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth. But He did instruct them to remember His Word, death, suffering, and resurrection. God gave the church visible symbols (called “ordinances”) as reminders of His death: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances that we practice at fxchurch.
Jesus Christ left all believers the command and example to be baptized. It is a uniquely Christian ordinance and should be practiced by all who claim to be followers of Christ.
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED (available PODCAST)
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.” Mark 1:9
“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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matt. 28:19-20
“...many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8
“This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands.” 1 John 2:3
II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?