1. FAITH BASICS: WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE & WHY
BAPTISM IS THE MOMENT WE ARE SAVED
(Part 1)

2. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “SAVED” & “LOST”
Ephesians 2:1 & 5 – “Dead” in our sins vs. “alive” in Christ
Question: When does that change take place?

3. “DOES IT MATTER?” In marriage? Signing a contract for a house?
Taking an oath of office?
How could it NOT matter!?

4. MANY CONFLICTING ANSWERS!
“When you believe in Jesus”
“When you believe & repent”
“When you say ‘The Sinner’s Prayer’”
“When you have a ‘personal experience’ of Christ”
“When you join a church & make a profession of faith”
Problem: Scripture says NONE of these! This isn’t what people were told in New Testament times.

5. “WHAT WERE THEY TOLD?” Compare Matt 28:18-20 & Acts 2:36-41
Hearing story of Jesus, conviction re His identity, recognition of sins led them to repent & be baptized
Acts 2:41 – Believing & being convicted isn’t the end of the story
Clarification: “Baptize” = a transliteration (not a “translation”) of Grk bapto – to dip or immerse; other practices came as result of changes in theology & practice, but not found in the NT
So, “Repent & be baptized” = “Repent & be immersed”

6. “WHAT WERE THEY TOLD?” (2)
Acts 8: “Preaching Jesus” included how to accept Jesus in baptism. (Notice: He didn’t wait!)
Acts 10: Spirit had already come; still, “commanded” to be baptized
Acts 16: Lydia “opened her heart” to the gospel; resulted in being baptized
Acts 16: Jailer & household were “baptized at once” when they heard & believed
Acts 18:8 – Crispus & household “believed & were baptized”
Acts 22:16 – “Rise & be baptized, & wash your sins away”

7. THE REAL QUESTION:
Not, “Why should I be baptized, since I already believe?”
But, “Why do so many who say they believe not want to be baptized?”
Usually b/c of religious tradition.
Don’t let that stand in your way of believing and obeying the gospel!