“Baptizing them…” Matthew 28: Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Romans 6:3-7 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For z one who has died has been set free from sin. United with Christ

Romans 6:3-7 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For z one who has died has been set free from sin. United with Christ in his death

Romans 6:3-7 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For z one who has died has been set free from sin. United with Christ in his resurrection

Romans 6: Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. United with Christ in his resurrection

Four views on baptism Paedobaptism (pais in Greek means child) Credobaptism (in Latin, “credo” means “I believe”)

Four views on baptism Paedobaptism (pais in Greek means child) 1.Catholic View 2.Lutheran View 3.Reformed/Presbyterian View Credobaptism (in Latin, “credo” means “I believe”) 4.Baptist View

#1 - Catholic View “Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptized within the first few weeks.” (Code of Canon Law, canon 867)

#1 - Catholic View Infant baptism is the sacrament through which grace and salvation are conferred to the baptized. Infant baptism most clearly displays the unmerited favor of God, free from human effort.

#2 - Lutheran View Infant baptism creates a real, yet unexpressed, faith in the heart of the child. Later this faith must publicly professed through the practice of confirmation (aka affirmation of baptism). Nevertheless, baptism is one of the means of grace by which God ultimately brings faith, forgiveness, and salvation to the infant.

#2 - Lutheran View Acts 2: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

#3 – Reformed/ Presbyterian View Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. This view sees an analogous relationship between circumcision in the old covenant of Israel and baptism in the new covenant of grace with Christ. Since infants of believers are born into this covenant community, baptism should be administered as the outward sign of their inclusion.

#3 – Reformed/ Presbyterian View Colossians 2:11-12 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Romans 2: For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

#4 – Baptist View Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s saving work. This view, also referred to as believer’s baptism, holds that baptism should be subsequent to faith as symbolic of the believer’s union with Christ.

#4 – Baptist View Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Because you haven’t been baptized previously Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Because you haven’t been baptized previously Because Jesus commanded it Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Because you haven’t been baptized previously Because Jesus commanded it Because you don’t have to Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Because you haven’t been baptized previously Because Jesus commanded it Because you don’t have to Because you believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Because you haven’t been baptized previously Because Jesus commanded it Because you don’t have to Because you believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection Because you’ve united yourself to Christ Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Because you haven’t been baptized previously Because Jesus commanded it Because you don’t have to Because you believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection Because you’ve united yourself to Christ Because you want to express your faith to the church Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Because you haven’t been baptized previously Because Jesus commanded it Because you don’t have to Because you believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection Because you’ve united yourself to Christ Because you want to express your faith to the church Because you want to “preach” Jesus Several reasons to consider being baptized today

Three encouragements for the church

Give witness and celebration to those who are being baptized Three encouragements for the church

Give witness and celebration to those who are being baptized Consider afresh how you’ve died with Christ and been raised with him Three encouragements for the church

Give witness and celebration to those who are being baptized Consider afresh how you’ve died with Christ and been raised with him Receive afresh his grace through the taking of communion Three encouragements for the church

Let’s celebrate!!