FAITH BASICS: WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE & WHY BAPTISM IS THE MOMENT WE ARE SAVED (Part 1)

THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “SAVED” & “LOST” Ephesians 2:1 & 5 – “Dead” in our sins vs. “alive” in Christ Question: When does that change take place?

“DOES IT MATTER?” In marriage? Signing a contract for a house? Taking an oath of office? How could it NOT matter!?

MANY CONFLICTING ANSWERS! “When you believe in Jesus” “When you believe & repent” “When you say ‘The Sinner’s Prayer’” “When you have a ‘personal experience’ of Christ” “When you join a church & make a profession of faith” Problem: Scripture says NONE of these! This isn’t what people were told in New Testament times.

“WHAT WERE THEY TOLD?” Compare Matt 28:18-20 & Acts 2:36-41 Hearing story of Jesus, conviction re His identity, recognition of sins led them to repent & be baptized Acts 2:41 – Believing & being convicted isn’t the end of the story Clarification: “Baptize” = a transliteration (not a “translation”) of Grk bapto – to dip or immerse; other practices came as result of changes in theology & practice, but not found in the NT So, “Repent & be baptized” = “Repent & be immersed”

“WHAT WERE THEY TOLD?” (2) Acts 8:35-36. “Preaching Jesus” included how to accept Jesus in baptism. (Notice: He didn’t wait!) Acts 10:44-48. Spirit had already come; still, “commanded” to be baptized Acts 16:14-45. Lydia “opened her heart” to the gospel; resulted in being baptized Acts 16:30-33. Jailer & household were “baptized at once” when they heard & believed Acts 18:8 – Crispus & household “believed & were baptized” Acts 22:16 – “Rise & be baptized, & wash your sins away”

THE REAL QUESTION: Not, “Why should I be baptized, since I already believe?” But, “Why do so many who say they believe not want to be baptized?” Usually b/c of religious tradition. Don’t let that stand in your way of believing and obeying the gospel!