Seven “If” Statements “If” is rarely alone “If you do that, I’ll…”“If you do that, I’ll…” “If I was…then…”“If I was…then…”

Seven “If” Statements 1,522 times in NIVUK Bible Genesis 18 – AbrahamGenesis 18 – Abraham “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” – 2Chronicles 7:14 (NIVUK) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” – 1John 1:9 (NIVUK)

Seven “If” Statements Circular argument Over 500 people saw Jesus after the ResurrectionOver 500 people saw Jesus after the Resurrection “If there is no resurrection then our faith is useless”“If there is no resurrection then our faith is useless” – 1Corinthians 15:15 (NIVUK) “…everything you’ve staked your life on is smoke and mirrors”“…everything you’ve staked your life on is smoke and mirrors” – 1Corinthians 15:15 (Message)

Why is the Resurrection relevant? Baptism in water is part of the normal experience of being a ChristianBaptism in water is part of the normal experience of being a Christian Baptism in water is part of the normal experience of being a Christian – not an optional extraBaptism in water is part of the normal experience of being a Christian – not an optional extra A matter of faith and obedienceA matter of faith and obedience

The Importance of Baptism Identifies us with JesusIdentifies us with Jesus Associates us with His death and resurrectionAssociates us with His death and resurrection “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his” “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his” – Romans 6:3-5 (NIVUK)

The Importance of Baptism Identifies us with JesusIdentifies us with Jesus Associates us with His death and resurrectionAssociates us with His death and resurrection A symbolic re-enactmentA symbolic re-enactment “And when you were baptised, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death” “And when you were baptised, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death” – Colossians 2:12 (CEV) Good NewsGood News “You will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. It is the same as the mighty power he used to raise Christ from death and put him at his right side in the heavenly places “You will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. It is the same as the mighty power he used to raise Christ from death and put him at his right side in the heavenly places – Ephesians 1:19-20 (ERV)