Chapter 2
II. Why Should We Be Baptized?
A. To obey the command of Scripture.
1. Matthew 28:19 commands us to, “go ye therefore,” to “teach,” and to, “______________” people.
2. In Acts 2:38, the command is to “repent and be ________________.”
3. When Cornelius and his friends got saved in Acts 10:24,48, Peter then “__________________ them to be baptized” in verse 48.
Note: It is very clear that all believers are commanded to be baptized. So a good reason to be baptized is simply to obey the Lord.
4. John 14:15 says “If ye ________ me” (Jesus), then we should keep His commandments.
5. According to James 1:22-25, we are to be “__________ of the Word, and not hearers only.”
6. James 4:17 states that if we know to do something good, and we do not do it, then we are committing ______.
Illustration: There are many reasons that people give for not being baptized.
Some people are afraid of water.
We can sympathize with their fear, but we often have to do things in life of which we might be afraid. How about children who are afraid of going to the dentist? Would you counsel them to go? Or would it be better to suffer with cavities and aching teeth? It would definitely be better to go to the dentist — despite the fear! Although the thought of getting put under the water may be fearful for some, getting baptized is for his/her own spiritual good. It is the first step of obedience to the Lord, and it will strengthen the person’s spiritual life.
Some people are afraid of crowds.
We can sympathize with their fear, too. But many people are also scared-to-death at their weddings as they stand before a crowd of people. Do they then call off the wedding? No, they go ahead with it anyway. Why? Because they love the person so much, they are willing to face a little time of nervousness. Although people may be nervous about getting baptized in front of a crowd of people, they should still do it out of love for the Lord, and because they are not ashamed of Him.
— Why Should We Be Baptized?
B. To openly confess our faith in Christ.1. Matthew 10:32 says that if we want Jesus to confess us before His Father, then we need to confess Him “before ______.”
2. According to Romans 6:3,4, baptism is a public identification of us with the death, burial, and resurrection of _______________________.
3. Acts 8:12 shows that when the people believed Philip’s preaching about the kingdom of God, and when they believed in the name of Jesus Christ, both the men and the women “were ________________.”
Illustration: If someone has recently had a new grandchild, what will she want to do? Show you a picture!
In the same way, when someone is newly saved, he should want to obey the Lord and show in picture form what has taken place in his heart.
Baptism pictures death to that former life of sin,
and resurrection to a fresh new life lived for Jesus Christ.
REVIEW:
1. The first reason for getting baptized is to obey the ______________ of Scripture.
2. If we know that we should do something, and we do not do it, then we are committing ______.
3. Although some may be nervous about getting baptized in front of a crowd, they should still do it because they love the Lord and are not ______________ of Him.
Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Final Test Liberty Bible Course Directory