Welcome to the Sunnyside Church of Christ. ~~~~~ August 22, 2010 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We use only what is found in the Bible as our guide. If you have any questions, please ask at the end of our service. Feel free to open your Bible and follow along with this lesson.

Welcome to the Sunnyside Church of Christ. ~~~~~ August 22, 2010 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our topic: Why I Believe in Baptism ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We use only what is found in the Bible as our guide. If you have any questions, please ask at the end of our service. Feel free to open your Bible and follow along with this lesson.

We know the gospel:  contains the good news of salvation.  Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  is God’s power of salvation.  Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Baptism is commanded...  by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  by Jesus in Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Baptism is commanded  Peter preached at Pentecost in Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ~~ ~~ ~~  Philip preached to the Samaritans in Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Baptism is commanded  Philip taught the eunuch in Acts 8:36-38 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Baptism is commanded  by Peter to Cornelius in Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.  by Ananias to Saul in Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Baptism brings blessings We have the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ Blood. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Baptism brings blessings  As a Christian, we have the Holy Spirit to assist us. ~~~~ Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. ~~~~ Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

Baptism brings blessings  John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ~~~~~  Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Baptism brings blessings Romans 6:3-7 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Baptism brings blessings  Baptism is a work of God to which we must submit. Colossians 2:12-13 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Baptism saves us…  1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ ~~~~  Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

In the first gospel sermon In Acts 2:36-38 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. In Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Have you been baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins? Read the words of Ananias to Saul. Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

GOD’S Instructions are clear. Hear - Romans 10:17 Believe - Mark 16:16 Repent of Sin - Luke 13:3 Confess CHRIST - Romans 10:9-10 Be Baptized - Acts 2:37-38; Mark 16:16 Continue in faith until death – Revelation 2:10

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Please take a seat for our announcements. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ The Bible Study on Wednesday (7pm) will be at Highland House Assisted Living. Please bring your Bible and a guest. I intend to meet you there! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~