What does the Bible teach?

First Note: We are Saved by Grace For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15 ESV) And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. (1 John 2:3 ESV) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3 ESV)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8 ESV) My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2 ESV) Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve

How Does Baptism fit into Grace? Is it not necessary to obey Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30… ? The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, (Acts 17:30 ESV) …because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10 ESV)

How Does Baptism fit into Grace? Acts 2: forgiveness is an exercise of God’s grace These believed, were cut to the heart, but not forgiven! To receive grace/forgiveness, they had to “repent and be baptized” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “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. (Acts 2:37-38 ESV)

How Does Baptism fit into Grace? Colossians 2: Paul wrote in an age of religious circumcision Christians have a better circumcision with Jesus cutting away sin, i.e., grace Sins were cut away by getting up on the baptism surgery table 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. (Colossians 2:11-12 ESV)

Some Questions about Baptism What if I was baptized as a baby? 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. (Acts 8:12 ESV) Only believers were being baptized. Baptism is always preceded by belief and repentance.

Some Questions about Baptism What if I was baptized as a baby? The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20 ESV) Children are not accountable. Sin is not “inherited.”

Some Questions about Baptism Is sprinkling an acceptable mode of baptism? The definition of baptizo is “immerse” or “submerge”. one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (Ephesians 4:5 ESV) 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. (Romans 6:4 ESV)

Some Questions about Baptism What if I was baptized for a different reason? And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(Acts 19:1-5 ESV) 12 disciples baptized into John’s baptism When they found out they were baptized for the wrong reason… they were re- baptized

Some Questions about Baptism What if I was baptized in the Spirit, not water? for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5 ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV) You were fooled “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11 ESV) Spirit baptism is not in the name of the Lord, it is BY the Lord

New Testament Baptism… Is a burial/immersion in water, Colossians 2:12 Is by the Lord’s authority, Matthew 28:19 Is of a believing penitent, a sinner, Acts 2:37-38 Raises one up a forgiven Christian, Romans 6:4 Is the act of accepting God’s grace, Ephesians 2:8