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Galatians 1:13-24 The Story of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9) A unique background His work against the church His time learning the truth His first trip to Jerusalem, then to Tarsus

Welcome! Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM www.SunsetchurchofChrist.net

Psalm 107:11 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing. Hymns Invitation Red Songbook - Supplemental

The Debate About Baptism

The Great Debate Few “don’t believe” in baptism The debate: 1) What is baptism? 2) Which one is the right baptism? 3) Is it merely a symbol or something more? Very few people don’t believe in baptism. Most people say it is important, but just what it is and how it is important is what is contested.

1. What is Baptism? "He who believes and is baptized will be saved….” Mark 16:16 Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists and other Reformed denominations, Methodists and some Nazarenes, and the Moravian Church also practice infant baptism. About 80% of Americans identify as Christian. and about 25% of Americans alone identify as Catholic. This means somewhere between 1/3 and ½ of people who were “baptized” may have been baptized (or believe) in this manner: sprinkled as a baby.

1. What is Baptism? “…Baptism: not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God…” 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism responds to belief Without belief it is not baptism  

1. What is Baptism? “…And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.…” Acts 8:38 Baptism = Immerse Pouring is not baptism  Additional to the last statistic, both Catholics and many protestants practice “baptism” by pouring or sprinkling

2. Other Baptisms? Holy Spirit Baptism – John 1:33 Baptism by Fire – Matthew 3:11 Baptism by Water – Acts 10:47 Baptism of John – Mark 1:4 Baptism of Moses – 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 Acts 10:47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?“ Mt 3:11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

2. Other Baptisms? one baptism Holy Spirit Baptism Baptism by Fire Baptism by Water Baptism of John Baptism of Moses There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism Ephesians 4:4-5

2. Other Baptisms? Holy Spirit Baptism Baptism by Fire Baptism by Water Baptism of John Baptism of Moses Which ONE remains? or Which ones have ended? Ac 1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5 "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.“ Lu 3:16 John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Ac 19:3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.“

2. Other Baptisms? Holy Spirit Baptism Baptism by Fire Baptism by Water Baptism of John Baptism of Moses Acts 1:4-5 w/ Acts 2 Ac 1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5 "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.“ Lu 3:16 John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Ac 19:3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.“

2. Other Baptisms? Holy Spirit Baptism Baptism by Fire Baptism by Water Baptism of John Baptism of Moses Acts 1:4-5 w/ Acts 2 Acts 1:4-5 w/ Luke 3:16 Lu 3:16 John answered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Mt 3:11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire

2. Other Baptisms? Holy Spirit Baptism Baptism by Fire Baptism by Water Baptism of John Baptism of Moses Acts 1:4-5 w/ Acts 2 Acts 1:4-5 w/ Luke 3:16 Acts 19:3 Ac 19:3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.“

2. Other Baptisms? Holy Spirit Baptism Baptism by Fire Baptism by Water Baptism of John Baptism of Moses Acts 1:4-5 w/ Acts 2 Acts 1:4-5 w/ Luke 3:16 Acts 19:3 Hebrews 8:13 Heb 8:13 When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

Baptism of Water INTO Christ remains 2. Other Baptisms? Holy Spirit Baptism Baptism by Fire Baptism by Water Baptism of John Baptism of Moses ONLY the Baptism of Water INTO Christ remains Acts 2:38, 8:36, 10:47, Hebrews 10:22, 1 Peter 3:20-21 Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Which of these statements reflects the Word of God? 3. What Does Baptism Do? “An outward sign of an inward grace” One is saved and THEN baptized “A sacrament of the church” A sign of church membership “Baptism now saves you” The moment of your salvation  Which of these statements correctly refeclts

What Does Baptism Do? Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 3:21 “An outward sign of an inward grace” One is saved and THEN baptized “A sacrament of the church” A sign of church membership “Baptism now saves you” The moment of your salvation  

3. What Does Baptism Do? - One is baptized and then saved He who believes and is baptized will be saved - Baptism is the moment sin is removed Be baptized, and wash away your sins - Baptism is where Christ’s work is done We were buried with Him through baptism  Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3

3. What Does Baptism Do? Baptism now saves you! In Acts individuals were saved when baptized: The Eunuch in Acts 8 Cornelius in Acts 10 Lydia and the Jailer in Acts 16 Paul in Acts 22  

3. What Does Baptism Do? Baptism now saves you! In Acts groups were saved when baptized: The people of Jerusalem in Acts 2 The Samaritans in Acts 8 The Corinthians in Acts 18 The Ephesians in Acts 19  

Baptism Saves AND : Baptism = sins washed away (Acts 22:16) Baptism = being born again (John 3:3) Baptism = receiving the gift of God (Acts 2:38) Baptism = effecting the death of Jesus (Rom. 6:3) Baptism = the first resurrection (Rev. 20:6) Baptism = being sanctified and justified (1 Cor. 6:11) Baptism = putting on Christ (Gal. 3:27) Baptism = being put into the church (1 Cor. 12:13)  Re 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

The Great Baptism Debate Most people don’t understand baptism Immersion into Christ for eternal life Immersion into water for salvation Misunderstandings will cost many their souls Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5

Reading the Word of God He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned Mark 16:16 1. What do you read?

Reading the Word of God He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned Mark 16:16 2. How would you reflect?

Reading the Word of God He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned Mark 16:16 3. What would you record?

Reading the Word of God He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned Mark 16:16 4. How will you respond?