1. Basic Bible Christianity
Lesson Seven God works through Holy Baptism

2. Search the Scriptures Why do we need the Bible? Lesson 6
Study Isaiah chapter 55.
What invitation does God extend?
Come, eat, drink
How much does food for the soul cost?
nothing
How do we feed our souls?
Listen to God
Why is our use of God’s Word a pressing, urgent need?
Eventually we will no longer be able to hear his Word.
Why do we need the Bible?
Lesson 6

3. Search the Scriptures Why do we need the Bible? Lesson 6
How does God want us to respond to his Word?
A complete 180-degree turnaround
How does our understanding compare to God’s?
His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
To what does God compare his Word?
Rain and snow that fall from the sky
What will God’s Word always accomplish?
What he desires
Why do we need the Bible?
Lesson 6

4. Search the Scriptures Why do we need the Bible? Lesson 6
What effect does God’s Word have on us?
It causes us to be joyful.
Explain how these verses describe the effect of God’s Word upon you, your life, and your soul.
God’s Word has delivered to us the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus won on the cross.
Why do we need the Bible?
Lesson 6

5. True or false Why do we need the Bible? Lesson 6 F T
The Bible is only one of several divinely inspired “holy books” in circulation today.
The Bible is “inspired” in the sense that, like some other literature, it is inspirational and well-written.
God reveals himself as three persons in one Godhead.
God the Father existed prior to God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, who were created later.
Without the revealed knowledge of the Bible, people cannot know God.
Why do we need the Bible?
Lesson 6
5. True provided “God” means the triune God.

6. True or false Why do we need the Bible? Lesson 6 T F
Nature and our consciences tell us there is a God, but they can’t teach how to be saved.
Contemplating the beauty of nature can help strengthen my faith in Christ as my Savior.
My faith is strengthened when God speaks to me through his Word, the Bible.
If I neglect hearing and reading the Word of God, I deprive my soul of nourishment and starve spiritually.
When reading the Bible, I should use a translation that is as faithful to the original languages as possible.
Why do we need the Bible?
Lesson 6

7. Questions for discussion
If people don’t read the Bible, understand the Bible, and know what the Bible says, where do they get their guidance for living?
Why is ignorance of the Bible such a dangerous thing?
List some practical ways that you can become more acquainted with the Bible and provide regular nourishment for your soul.
Why do we need the Bible?
Lesson 6

8. Basic Bible Christianity
Lesson Seven God works through Holy Baptism

9. God works through Holy Baptism
Opening Devotion
Read Psalm 84.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7

10. God works through Holy Baptism
What’s needed?
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
A good place to begin this lesson is where the last lesson ended. Remember the illustration of the water tower. The water must be distributed through pipes and channels.

11. God works through Holy Baptism
What’s needed?
Acquired by Jesus on the cross
Forgiveness
Salvation
1. God’s Word
Distributed to us through the means of grace
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
The same thing happens with the forgiveness and salvation won by Jesus on the cross.
All people

12. God works through Holy Baptism
Key term
Means of Grace
The means through which God’s grace is distributed to all people.
The tools/instruments/pipelines/channels through which God passes out the forgiveness and salvation won by Jesus on the cross.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7

13. God works through Holy Baptism
Key term
Sacrament
A “sacred act” that is
Instituted by Jesus
Offers the forgiveness of sins U
Sacrament
A “sacred act” that is
Instituted by Jesus.
Offers the forgiveness of sins.
Uses an earthly element.
Sacrament
A “sacred act” that is
Instituted by Jesus O U
Sacrament
A “sacred act” that is I O U
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
The other means God uses to distribute forgiveness and salvation are the sacraments. Like trinity, sacrament is not a word found in the Bible. It’s a word the church has used to describe two very special acts that meet the following criteria: instituted by Jesus, offers the forgiveness of sins, and uses an earthly element.

14. God works through Holy Baptism
Is it a sacrament?
Penance (confession, absolution, satisfaction)
Marriage
Holy orders (ordination)
Extreme unction (last rights)
Confirmation
Baptism
Holy Communion
Penance (confession, absolution, satisfaction)
Marriage
Holy orders (ordination)
Extreme unction (last rights)
Confirmation
Baptism
Holy Communion
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
The Roman Catholic Church has a definition of sacrament that results in them having seven sacraments. However, Baptism and Holy Communion are in a class by themselves and deserve special designation.

15. God works through Holy Baptism
Is it a sacrament?
Discuss: Why are sacraments important? Can’t God simply tell us he loves us? Why do we need physical evidence of God’s plan of salvation?
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
The old saying is that actions speak louder than words. God’s Word is certainly sufficient to convince us that we are forgiven. But in his grace, God offers us more ways than one to receive that forgiveness. The sacraments are truly a blessing.

16. Holy Baptism—what is it?
Matthew 28:19
Matthew 28:19—“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Q: What did Jesus command his disciples to do?
A: Baptize all nations.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
One of the criteria of a sacrament is that it is instituted by Jesus. This is the passage where Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Baptism.

17. Holy Baptism—what is it?
Ephesians 5:25,26
Ephesians 5:25,26—Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.
Q: Two things are required:
A: Water together with God’s Word makes the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
Although it is implicit in the word baptism, this passage tells us clearly what the visible element of Baptism is. It is water. Water plus God’s Word makes Baptism.

18. God works through Holy Baptism
Does it matter?
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
Most people assume that in Jesus’ day they baptized by immersion. Some also assert that immersion is the only valid form of Baptism. In reality, the word baptize simply means “to apply water.”

19. What does God do through Holy Baptism?
Matthew 28:19,20—“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Q: What is the purpose of Baptism?
A: To make disciples
“ make disciples of all nations baptizing them and teaching them . . .”
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
The second criterion of a sacrament is that it offers the forgiveness of sins. This and the following passages make it clear that Baptism does that very thing. Already when he instituted Baptism, Jesus made its purpose very clear—to make disciples of Jesus.

20. What does God do through Holy Baptism?
Acts 2:38—Peter replied, “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 2:38
Acts 2:38—Peter replied, “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.”
Q: What gifts does God give through Baptism?
A: Forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit (faith)
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
Baptism forgives sins and creates faith.

21. What does God do through Holy Baptism?
Titus 3:4,5—When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:4,5—When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Q: What did God cause to happen when you were baptized?
A: Rebirth and renewal
Titus 3:4,5—When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:4,5
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
The word washing tells us that Paul is talking about Baptism. Baptism effects rebirth and renewal. It causes us to be born again as children of God.

22. What does God do through Holy Baptism?
1 Peter 3:21—This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Q: What does Baptism do for us?
A: It saves us.
1 Peter 3:21
1 Peter 3:21—This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Q: What does Baptism do for us?
A: It saves us.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
Peter compares the water in the Sacrament of Baptism to the regular use of water. Just like water washes dirt from the body, Baptism washes dirt from the conscience (soul).

23. God works through Holy Baptism
1 Peter 3:21
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7

24. God works through Holy Baptism
What’s needed?
Acquired by Jesus on the cross
Forgiveness
Salvation
God’s Word
God’s Word
Baptism
Distributed to us through the means of grace
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
These passages make it very clear that Baptism is another channel through which God distributes to all people the forgiveness of sins and salvation won by Jesus on the cross.
All people

25. God works through Holy Baptism
What Baptism isn’t
An outward symbol or ceremony
A sign of obedience
A good work we perform for God
The dedication of our life to God
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7

26. Whom does God want to be baptized?
Matthew 28:19—“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.”
Q: Whom does Jesus tell us to baptize?
A: All nations
Matthew 28:19
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7

27. Whom does God want to be baptized?
Does Jesus limit his instructions on Baptism to any particular race, sex, or age group?
How would you respond: “Where does the Bible command us to baptize infants?”
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
God gives no indication that his command to baptize is limited. The Bible never commands us to baptize infants specifically, but it never commands us to baptize adults, teens, men, women, or any other age group. It simply says “all nations.”

28. Whom does God want to be baptized?
Matthew 28:19—“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.”
Q: Why do we apply Jesus’ command also to infants and children?
A: They are included in “all nations.”
Matthew 28:19
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7

29. Whom does God want to be baptized?
Psalm 51:5
Psalm 51:5—Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Q: Why do we apply Jesus’ command also to infants and children?
A: They are sinful. They need to be saved.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
Maybe the biggest reason some churches don’t baptize infants is because they don’t believe infants need to be saved. But the Bible makes it clear that infants are not “blank slates.” They come into this world dead in sin, children of the devil. The fact that infants sometimes tragically die proves this. Therefore, they need to be saved.

30. Whom does God want to be baptized?
Matthew 18:6—“If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Q: Why do we apply Jesus’ command also to infants and children?
A: They are capable of faith.
Matthew 18:6
Matthew 18:6—“If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
Another argument against infant Baptism is that they are incapable of faith. However, Jesus makes it clear that faith is a condition of the heart that is possible for the youngest of children.

31. Whom does God want to be baptized?
Acts 2:38,39
Acts 2:38,39—Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children.”
Q: Why do we apply Jesus’ command also to infants and children?
A: God promises the blessings of Baptism to them as well.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
The promises of Baptism—faith and forgiveness—are for children as well.

32. How important is Holy Baptism?
Mark 16:16
Mark 16:16—“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Q: What is the connection between faith in Jesus and Baptism?
A: Baptism creates faith in Jesus. It is not the only way that God creates faith in Jesus.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
It is possible to be saved without Baptism. The thief on the cross would be a good example of this. Faith in Jesus as Savior is all that is necessary for salvation. That faith can be created apart from Baptism, namely, through the preaching of the Word.

33. How important is Holy Baptism?
John 3:3-6
John 3:3-6—In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
Q: What importance does Jesus attach to being born again of water and the Spirit (Baptism)?
A: He says no one can enter the kingdom of God without it.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7
At the same time, Jesus gave a very strong warning to all who would reject Baptism. Those who know of Baptism and its blessings and yet reject it cannot enter the kingdom of God.

34. How important is Holy Baptism?
Faith is certainly possible apart from Baptism. Lack of Baptism does not condemn a person; lack of faith does.
For a person who knows about Baptism, knows about its blessings, and rejects it, we would apply Jesus’ strong warning from John chapter 3.
God works through Holy Baptism
Lesson 7

35. Questions about this week’s class? Questions about next week’s class?
What’s on your mind?
Questions about this week’s class? Questions about next week’s class?
While questions are encouraged throughout, some students will always be too reluctant to ask. This is an opportunity at the end of each class for people to submit questions in written form. They can either be about the material just covered or the material that will be covered next week. Those questions can then be addressed during the following week’s class.
Time’s up!!!!