Things That Unite — One Baptism
Categories: Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on BaptismDate written: February 12th, 2005
Scripture ref: Ephesians 4:1-6
SUBJECT: Unity
TITLE: Things That Unite – One Baptism
PROPOSITION: Baptism unites because 1) It is that which Jesus commanded. 2) It is that which the apostles practiced. 3) It is the point where the new man is created and we are placed into Christ’s body.
Objectives: That each would be able to learn and teach others regarding this critical point of unity.
Aim: That each would understand the uniting factors of baptism.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Ephesians 4:1-6
2. About the Text:
1) We must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
2) In that regard Paul sets forth several things that unite the church as one.
3) One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one Father.
4) And then there is one baptism.
5) Here is the sticking point for most in the denominational world today.
6) The denomination world preaches many baptisms.
a. They preach many methods:
a) Pouring
b) Sprinkling
c) Immersion
b. They preach many types:
a) Baptism by water
b) Baptism by the Holy Spirit
c) Baptism by fire.
d) John’s baptism.
7) But the fact of the matter is that the Bible teaches that so far as concerns the uniting of Christian brothers and sisters together into one body, there is ONLY one baptism.
8) There cannot be many methods.
9) There cannot be many types.
10) There can only be one.
11) And as long as the denominational world refuses to acknowledge this clear Bible truth, there will be division.
12) Jesus doesn’t want His followers to be divided. He prayed for their unity. John 17:20-23.
13) Those who refuse to submit to God’s inspired will in this regard, reject Jesus prayer and relegate true Bible unity to something impossible to attain.
14) But it is not impossible to attain if we follow God.
15) It is only impossible to attain if we prefer the opinion’s of men to God’s.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Baptism unites because…
I. It was that which Jesus commanded.
1. Matthew 28:18-20
1) Part of the great commission.
2) Necessary to becoming a disciple.
2. Mark 16:15, 16
1) The order here is important. This eliminates infant baptism and baptism after salvation.
2) Not concerned about what gets us condemnation, but what gets us salvation.
3. John 3:3-7
1) Jesus makes it clear that without it we cannot enter the kingdom.
2) Context makes it plain that Jesus was speaking of water baptism.
II. It was that which the apostles practiced.
1. Acts 2:38ff
1) Preached initially upon the start of the body of Christ, the church.
2) Upon baptism we have forgiveness of sins.
3) Fulfills God’s promise that those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
4) Those who were baptized were added to the saved.
2. Acts 8:26-40 – Ethiopian nobleman.
1) Predicated upon faith in Christ.
2) Must go down into the water to be baptized.
3) Rejoiced after baptism, not before.
3. Acts 9, 22 – Conversion of Saul
1) Saul called miraculously by Jesus, but not saved on the road.
2) Spent three days fasting.
3) Ananias came to him and baptized him.
4) Paul recounts this in Acts 22:16 where he equates calling upon the name of the Lord with baptism.
III. It is the point at which the new man is created and we are placed into the body.
1. Romans 6:1-11
1) Baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
2) Old man is done away.
3) Raised to walk in new life.
2. Galatians 3:27
1) It is that action by which we become sons of God.
2) It is that action by which we put on Christ.
3) To be in Christ is to be in the body (Rom. 12:5 says we are “one body in Christ.”
3. 1 Corinthians 12:13
1) Baptized into one body.
2) The body is the church. (Col. 1:18 “He is the Head of the body, the church.”)
4. 1 Peter 3:21
1) Baptism saves.
2) Not taking a bath; but the response of a good conscience.
CONCLUSION:
1. Baptism unites believers like nothing else does.
1) To compromise the Bible’s teaching on baptism is to betray Jesus’ prayer for unity in the body.
2) Baptism unites!
3) Let us preach and teach it as if the Lord himself were lighting the very fire beneath our feet.
2. Invitation