Baptism in the Bible

Here is the outline from my message this morning that I delivered in our LifeGroup.

Baptism

Matthew 3:1-3, 11
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

What is baptism? The actual act of baptism is when a Christian takes another new Christian who has accepted Christ as savior and does like John the Baptist did, immersing a person in water symbolizing burying the old self and coming up from the water a new person.

The Greek word for Baptism is Bapto. The example of taking a cloth and totally immersing it in bleach and then into a dye therefore cleansing it and changing it is given.

When should someone be baptized? Nowhere in the bible are infants baptised and the following scriptures clearly tie in the act of believing being followed by the act of baptism:

Acts 2:38-41 The first converts believed and were baptised that day adding 3000 people to the Christ movement.
Acts 8:36-38 Philip was witnessing to the Eunuch who felt compelled to be baptised immediately so he was baptised in what was likely someone's drinking pond.
Acts 9:18 Saul(Paul) when he got his sight back was baptised that day.
Act 10:47-48 Peter was preaching to Gentiles who were baptised that day.
Acts 16:31-33 The Jailer and his family believed and that day were baptised immediately.

What about infant baptism? Nowhere in the bible are babies or children baptised.
400 BC-Augustine came up with the idea of "original sin" which said that since Adam sinned he passed on sin to everyone else. Parents then wanted to "protect" their children and since there were worries about dunking babies they were merely sprinkled. I personally disagree with infant baptism since I feel that the act of accepting who Christ is as your savior and then being baptised as an act of obedience are inseperable. I also feel that baptism does not save you and is not necessary for salvation, but it is important to do.

Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

What did John’s baptisms symbolize? the act of repentence
What does our baptism symbolize? the visual acceptance of believing in Christ and our act of repentence
Why did Jesus get baptized?
+ to be righteous and fulfill scriptures
+ to identify with humanity's sinfulness
+ to be an example to followers
+ it announced his ministry

What was the result of Jesus’ baptism? Heaven opened up, the Spirit of God came down, God was pleased.

John was hesitant to baptise Jesus because he knew Jesus was SINLESS and didn't need to be baptised AND that Jesus was very superior to John since he was God's son.