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Discipleship: Phase 1: Foundations - Understanding Baptism

Discipleship: Phase 1: Foundations - Understanding Baptism
LINK: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1vkH5yF4AnR38di8qL2cO_cddTvo2hIyH

 What do you think is the meaning of baptism?
It was introduced by John, developed by Jesus, and later the Apostle Paul found more meaning.
Lets look at John the Baptist (Mark 1:4-5):
What was the focus of John’s baptism?
What do you think being baptized in water symbolized for all these people?
Focus: REPENTANCE
Symbolism: BEING WASHED CLEAN
John was preparing people for the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. He warned them of
their need to see how they had drifted away from God and to seek forgiveness for their sin. As people
came, repenting of their sin, they were baptized as a public confession, denouncing their old, sinful way of
life and affirming their new loyalty to God. They were preparing for life under the coming Kingdom of God.
Lets look at Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17):
If Jesus was without sin, why did he choose to get baptized? 
We find 4 points: Affirmation, His mission, submission, and it was a launching point for His life. Should we not experience the same?
JESUS BUILDS ON THE SYMBOLISM
Mark 10:38, 39
"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized
with the baptism I am baptized with?"
"We can," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized
with...”
Luke 12:50
But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
Jesus adds a deeper symbolism to baptism.
What do you think he is really referring to when he talks about the baptism he’ll have to
undergo?
He is referring to his upcoming death.
He will be immersed into death.
Lets look at the Apostle Paul (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12):
Paul talked about being lowered into the water as a symbol of the "death and burial of your old self".
Coming out of the water is a symbol of "rising to new life."
Marriage Example: When a person gets married the old single life instantly dies. They have
become one with another and live their lives in light of that new relationship. Certain things from
their old life no longer play a role in their new life and new relationship. In fact, some of those old
things would be very destructive to the new relationship (dating, spending money however you
wish, going away on the spur of the moment on your own, working long hours at the office, etc.)
This new life has new priorities, new habits, new goals and a new lifestyle.
Check out why the folks in Acts were getting baptized: Acts 2:36-41, Acts 8:34-38, Acts 16:29-34
According to these verses, who should get baptized and when?
Those who have come to a point where they:
 BELIEVE Jesus to have died for them and rose again, offering them forgiveness and new life.
 Confess their sin and REPENT.
People were baptized at the point they placed faith in Jesus Christ and received new life, the point
in time when they died to their old self and received the Holy Spirit.
Summary of symbolism of baptism
WATER: BEING WASHED CLEAN
GOING INTO THE WATER: DEATH AND BURIAL OF YOUR OLD SELF
RISING FROM THE WATER: RISING TO NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
WALKING OUT OF THE WATER: LAUNCHING INTO A NEW LIFE OF MINISTRY AND MISSION
Our prayer is for those whom can take the steps to come to the point of baptism and for those of us who continue to do our best to live out our own baptism. May your Spirit teach us to encourage others in their path towards a decision and to hold one another accountable to our own decision to believe and confess with repentance. May the lives and numbers in our community grow to create such a force for good that no formidable obstacle, evil, or message can deter Your will for our lives. May our resolve to STAND become measured! Our humble prayer acknowledges Your honor, love, and holiness.  May we be found washed clean, may we bury our old selves, and may we RISE AND LAUNCH! In Jesus name
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