I. Baptism is an Act of Obedience to the Great Commission

Matt 28:18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

19  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 "teaching them to obey all things that I have commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

II. Baptism doesn’t Save from the Penalty of Sin (Justification-Forgiveness)

Eph 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;

it is the gift of God, 9  not of works, lest anyone should boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight...22  even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26  to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Eph 1:3  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (1 Cor  12:13)

III. Baptism Does Save From the Power of Sin (Sanctification-Holiness)

Rom 6:3  do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 6  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.11  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A. Baptism is a Pledge to live with a Pure Conscience

1. Baptism Saves by pledging a Pure Conscience

1Pt 3:21... which now saves us----baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer/pledge of a good conscience toward God) 4:1 Therefore,since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

2. Baptism is a Picture of Death to Desire

Rm 6:4  we were buried with Him through baptism into death...as Christ raised... we also should walk in newness of life.

Lk 9:23  Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

1Tim 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

B. A Pure Conscience requires Exercise and Death (Rom 12:1-2)

Acts 24:16  "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

1Pe 2:19  For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

Rom 6:5  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Could someone who was not baptized get into heaven? Is the ritual (getting wet) important? Why? (Mt 3:15)

2. Could someone who was baptized  (immersed into the power of the Triune God) continue to live a sinful life?

3. Is God more pleased with someone who makes sacrifices to please Him than he is with someone who just lives to please themselves?

4. What’s the significance of being baptized into the name of each member of the Triune God?

5. How has being baptized made a difference in your life?