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Baptism Explained (Romans 6:1-4)

Dennis R. Wiles, August 26, 2012
Part of the Deepening Our Roots series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

Baptism Explained
Romans 6:1-4

TEXT: Romans 6:1-4

Baptismal Texts: Matthew 28:16-20; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17; 12:13; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 2:9-12; 1 Peter 3:21

We believe BAPTISM IS A SIGN OF DISCIPLESHIP! Baptism is for believers only. Each believer is to be immersed in water as an act of obedience and humility. It symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It also is a sign of the new life each believer has discovered in Jesus. It is a requirement to be a member of our church.
-Core Beliefs, FBC Arlington

Baptism is controversial!

The interpretation of the meaning of baptism is linked to the doctrines of salvation and ecclesiology.

Historically, the intersection between belief and baptism has been the central point of disagreement among Christian theologians:
-fides aliena: faith of others
-ecclesia triumphans: the triumphant church in glory
-fides infusa: faith is infused by baptism
-fides infantium: Luther’s view

Modes of Baptism
Aspersion – sprinkling
Affusion – pouring
Immersion – submerging

Sacramental View – baptism is a means of God’s grace
Baptismal Regeneration – baptism accomplishes salvation or it is necessary for salvation
Covenantal View – baptism replaces circumcision of the Old Covenant as the sign of the New Covenant

Historically, Baptists have rejected the sacramental view, the covenantal view of baptism and the idea of baptismal regeneration. We have embraced the symbolic view that we believe is taught in the New Testament.

Baptism Explained
1. Baptism signifies the believer’s union with Jesus Christ.
2. Baptism signifies the believer’s cleansing by Jesus Christ.
3. Baptism signifies the believer’s entry into the New Covenantal Community – the Church.
4. Baptism is a public confession of the believer’s faith in the Triune God of the Bible.
5. Baptism is a testimony to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
6. Baptism signifies the believer’s new life in Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:1-4

6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV)