DOING WHAT’S NEXT

• What does the Bible say about what happens after salvation in Jesus? The Bible states that is the next step.
• Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
• Hebrews 4:15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
• John 1:32-34  Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.
• Jesus is a perfect example to us—he was baptized out of to the Father, and so is everyone who is baptized.

1. The heavens were opened. For four hundred years, heaven had been silent. But now, God was on the move.

2. The Spirit descends upon Jesus. The Spirit appeared in the form of a dove so that John would understand that Jesus was the Messiah.

3. There was a voice from heaven declaring, “You are my Son, I’m well pleased with you!” Over 50 times in the New Testament, Jesus is called the Son of God, meaning He shares the exact nature as God—coequal and coeternal.

Baptism is the first step of obedience.

• Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Baptism is a symbol of salvation.

• Our baptism shows that we have inwardly committed our lives to Christ.
• In baptism, you declare that you have died to your old life and are raised in Christ as a new person.
• Romans 6:3-4 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
• Colossians 2:12  For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
• The word baptizo, in Greek, means “to immerse, to submerge, to plunge, to dip. “
• Some have taught over the years that baptism is required for salvation, but this is not true. We are saved by grace, through faith, in Christ alone- not by any work, rite, or ritual.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Baptism is for those who have placed their trust in Jesus.

• That’s the order: first, you accept the message through repentance and faith, then you are baptized.
• When you are baptized, you identify with Jesus (you become a follower of Christ), and you are then welcomed into the family of faith, the church.

Baptism is pleasing to God.

• Matthew 3:16-17  After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
• WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
  1. If you haven’t been baptized yet, I encourage you to give your life to Jesus and get baptized. The next baptism class is on Sunday, November 2 at 12:45 pm upstairs in the Morgan Theater.
  2. If you haven’t been baptized, you need to understand that baptism is your FIRST STEP in obedience.
• Delayed obedience is disobedience. Obedience provides peace in our souls.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I understand that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I cannot fix my situation on my own. I believe You are calling me to have faith. I am being drawn to the truth of the gospel. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sins and believe in You as the only One who can establish an eternal relationship with the living God. I want to be Your child and to live as Your child. In Your name, Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ today please let us know by clicking this link and filling out the form.