Welcome back. I hope you have enjoyed your day thus far. As we get closer to Christmas, I thought it would be great to share a missionary tool I received years ago. The message of this booklet is timeless. Its message of hope never changes. The North American Missions Board put this booklet together. Today, I would like to share the information in hopes you benefit from it the way I did.
Step 2 from “Beginning Steps For New Believers”
Publicly declare your faith.
1. Jesus wants new believers to declare their faith in him publicly. Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
Most churches provide opportunities after the worship services, for people to make public their commitments to Jesus. If you have not publicly declared your faith, you should do so at the next public worship service you attend. Upon making this commitment, you should be baptized.
2. Baptism is an act of obedience that declares one’s faith.
A test of whether a person is a true follower of Jesus is their obedience to Jesus’ commands.
1 John 2:3, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.”
3. Jesus commanded baptism.
Matthew 28:19-20, “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This was not a suggestion or an option for his followers. If we are not baptized, we are disobedient. Jesus set the example by being baptized. (Matthew 3:13-17)
4. In the New Testament, new believers were baptized. Read Acts 2:37-38, 41-47). The verses clearly indicate that new believers followed Jesus by being baptized.
5. Baptism expresses your love for Jesus.
“21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:21
6. Baptism pictures two things:
a. What Jesus did for you – He died for your sins, was buried, and came back to life. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
b. What has happened to you – You died to an old way of life and have been raised to live a new life in Jesus. (Romans 6:3-4)
The Bible teaches that the method of baptism was immersion (completely placing a person underwater and immediately bringing him or her back up). Immersion is the only form of baptism that adequately pictures this meaning.
REVIEW
Scripture reveals that baptism involves four things:
- The right person – a believer
- The right reasons – obedience and declaration of your new faith
- The right method – immersion
- The right authority – a local New Testament church
The essentials of baptism are:
- Believe in Jesus for salvation.
- Make your commitment public.
- Request to be baptized by immersion.
You’re doing great, don’t stop now.
Disclaimer: The above material was taken from the book titled “Beginning Steps – A Growth Guide For New Believers” published by the North American Mission Board.
This little booklet was so helpful to me. I hope it helps you as well.
Join me tomorrow as we look at Step 3. I can’t wait!
Blessings!
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