Weird Things Christians Do – Part 1. COMMUNITY REFLECTION CELEBRATION.

Weird Things Christians Do – Part 1


COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

REFLECTIONREFLECTION

CELEBRATIONCELEBRATION

What Is Baptism?What Is

Baptism?

An initiation rite.An initiation rite.

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church…

~ Acts 2:41 (NLT)

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church…

~ Acts 2:41 (NLT)

A public statement.A public statement.A means of accountability.A means of accountability.An outward expression of an inward reality.

An outward expression of an inward reality.

Symbolically, Baptism…

•Identifies me with Christ’s death and resurrection.



For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:4 (NLT)Romans 6:4 (NLT)



•Illustrates my new life as a Christian.




For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead… Then God made you alive with Christ.

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead… Then God made you alive with Christ.

Colossians 2:12-13 (NLT)Colossians 2:12-13 (NLT)




•Represents the cleansing work of God in my life.




•Represents the cleansing work of God in my life.

…People should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

…People should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

Mark 1:4 (NLT)Mark 1:4 (NLT)

Why should I be baptized?Why should I be baptized?

I Should Be Baptized…

•To follow the example set by Jesus.





•Because Christ commands it.




Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them…

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them…

Matthew 28:19 (NLT)Matthew 28:19 (NLT)




•It demonstrates that I really am a believer.




•It demonstrates that I really am a believer.

…all the people who had faith in the Lord were baptized.

…all the people who had faith in the Lord were baptized.

Acts 18:8 (NLT)Acts 18:8 (NLT)

Is it more appropriate to baptize babies or

people old enough to make a faith

decision?

Is it more appropriate to baptize babies or

people old enough to make a faith

decision?

Therefore, go and make disciples… baptizing them…

Therefore, go and make disciples… baptizing them…

Matthew 28:19 (NLT)Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

Biblical Baptism takes place after

a faith commitment.

Biblical Baptism takes place after

a faith commitment.

Does baptism in and of itself

save anybody?

Does baptism in and of itself

save anybody?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Baptism expresses your

salvation, it doesn’t earn it.

Baptism expresses your

salvation, it doesn’t earn it.

What if a person claims to be a

Christian, but refuses to be baptized?

What if a person claims to be a

Christian, but refuses to be baptized?

“Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!”

“Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!”

2 Kings 5:14 (NLT)2 Kings 5:14 (NLT)

Baptism is an act of obedience, and

refusal demonstrates a heart problem.

Baptism is an act of obedience, and

refusal demonstrates a heart problem.

Do I need to be baptized by

immersion, or is sprinkling or pouring

also valid?

Do I need to be baptized by

immersion, or is sprinkling or pouring

also valid?

The Greek word baptizo means “to

immerse or dip under water”.

The Greek word baptizo means “to

immerse or dip under water”.

“Now about baptism: this is how to baptize. Give public instruction on all these points, and then baptize in running water, ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and in the Holy Spirit.’ If you do not have running water, baptize in some other. If

“Now about baptism: this is how to baptize. Give public instruction on all these points, and then baptize in running water, ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and in the Holy Spirit.’ If you do not have running water, baptize in some other. If

The Didache

The Didache

you cannot in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, then pour water on the head three times…”

~ from The Didache(alternate title: The Teaching

of the Twelve Apostles)c. 60-100 AD

you cannot in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, then pour water on the head three times…”

~ from The Didache(alternate title: The Teaching

of the Twelve Apostles)c. 60-100 AD

The Didache

The Didache

When and where should I be baptized?

When and where should I be baptized?

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Acts 8:36-38 (NLT)Acts 8:36-38 (NLT)

You should be baptized in your

church community shortly after

accepting Christ.

You should be baptized in your

church community shortly after

accepting Christ.

Weird Things Christians Do – Part 1. COMMUNITY REFLECTION CELEBRATION.

Documents

Transcript of Weird Things Christians Do – Part 1. COMMUNITY REFLECTION CELEBRATION.