Lesson 1.19: The Purpose Of Baptism

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LESSON 1.19 - THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM

Loved ones, what is the purpose of Christian baptism? What does baptism accomplish? Is baptism an outward sign that God has already forgiven our sins? Or does baptism put us into a new relationship with Christ which leads to the forgiveness of sins and other spiritual blessings?

The answers to these important questions are found in the Bible. We cannot depend on the teachings of men. Some religious leaders tell us one thing, and some another. Their teachings often conflict with each other, so we become confused. We don't know what to believe. In this lesson, we will explore the teachings of the New Testament and let the word of God explain the purpose of baptism.

1. Baptism Is For The Forgiveness Of Sins.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:14-36). And, for the first time, people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-41).

When the people learned they had assisted in the crucifixion of Jesus, the Lord and Christ, they cried out, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:36-37). Peter clearly gave them the answer as he stated the purpose of baptism.

Peter replied, "Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then God will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

On that day, about 3,000 people were baptized (Acts 2:41). And those who were baptized were forgiven; that is, they were saved by the blood of Jesus (Mark 16:16; Matthew 26:28).

Do you remember the story of Saul of Tarsus? When we first met Saul, he was an enemy of Christ. He thought Jesus was an impostor who had led people away from God by telling lies. So Saul tried to destroy the Christian movement.

In Jerusalem, a group of Jewish leaders threw large rocks at a Christian man named Stephen until he died. Saul held the coats of the men throwing the stones and thought killing Stephen was a good thing (Acts 7:58-59).

Then, Jesus appeared to Saul in a bright light and told him to go into Damascus where he would be told what to do. Saul was blind and did not eat for three days. Finally, Ananias told him to be baptized and wash his sins away trusting in Jesus to save him (Acts 22:14-16).

Saul had fought against Jesus. He had participated in killing Stephen. He had put followers of Christ in prison. Saul had done some terrible things against God and God's people. When did God forgive him of these things? Saul's sins were forgiven by the blood of Jesus when he was baptized (Revelation 1:5).

2. Baptism Leads To The Gift Of The Holy Spirit.

Let us listen once more to Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. When people asked Peter what they should do, he gave two commands in Acts 2:38: repent, and be baptized. He also attached two promises: forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. God gives remission of sins and His Holy Spirit to all who obey Him (Acts 5:32).

Speaking of the promise of the Holy Spirit, Peter said, "This promise is for you. It is also for your children and for the people who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself" (Acts 2:39).

God knows that we need help as we struggle to live the Christian life. The forces of evil are strong, and we do not have the moral strength to overcome Satan's temptations by our own effort. So God's Spirit enters our bodies at the time of our baptism and gives us power to live holy lives.

3. Baptism Puts Our Sinful Life To Death.

In baptism, we die to sin. In his letter to the Romans, Paul asked, "So do you think we should continue sinning so that God will give us more and more grace? Of course not! Our old sinful life ended. It's dead. So how can we continue living in sin? So did you forget that all of us became part of Christ Jesus when we were baptized? So when we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and took part in his death" (Romans 6:1-5).

Then Paul said, "We know that our old life was put to death on the cross with Christ. This happened so that our sinful selves would have no power over us. Then we would not be slaves to sin. Anyone who has died is made free from sin's control" (Romans 6:6-7).

In what way do we die? In repentance and baptism, our old sinful life ends. We have decided not to live in sin any longer. We have promised God that we would try not to repeat the mistakes we have done in the past. Our old sinful life is dead, and it has been buried in Christ's death.

4. Baptism Leads To New Life

The death of our old sinful self should lead to holy living. If there is no change in our lives after baptism, something is wrong. We should examine ourselves to be sure we have repented and given our lives to Christ in faith.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote, "When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him because of your faith in God's power" (Colossians 2:12).

Then, Paul said, "You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life together with Christ. He forgave all our sins" (Colossians 2:13). When we were baptized, God forgave all our sins and gave us new life.

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wrote, "So when we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and took part in his death. And just as Christ was raised from death by the wonderful power of the Father, so we can now live a new life" (Romans 6:4).

What happens when we are buried with Christ in baptism? God gives us new life together with Christ. He forgives all our sins and gives us His Holy Spirit. Prior to baptism, we are spiritually dead. Spiritual death means separation from God. Following baptism, we are spiritually alive.

In addition to the Spirit-inspired testimony of the Paul, we also have the testimony of Peter who said, "Just like Noah and his family were saved by water, baptism NOW saves us" (1 Peter 3:20-21). Baptism transfers us from death to life. After baptism, we are free from sin's control because our sins are forgiven (Romans 6:6-7).

The apostle John wrote to Christians, "We should live in the light, where God is. If we live in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood sacrifice of Jesus, God's Son, washes away every sin and makes us clean. If we say that we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us" (1 John 1:7-9).

When we are born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5), our sins are washed away, and the Holy Spirit helps us live a new life that is clean, pure, and holy. With the Spirit's help, we become more and more like Jesus. And the blood sacrifice of Jesus keeps us clean (1 John 1:7).

Conclusion

Baptism plays a vital role in God's plan to save us from the power and consequences of sin. First, by faith we accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and put our trust in Him. Then, we surrender our will to Him and change our hearts and lives in repentance.

Then, without delay, we are buried with Him in baptism and are born again of water and the Spirit. At the time of our baptism we are saved (cf. Luke 1:77); that is, our sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Paul said to the Corinthians, "When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our new relationship with Christ gives us hope because the sacrificial death and blood of Jesus keeps on cleansing us of sin (Matthew 26:28).

Baptism is the doorway into Christ (Galatians 3:27) where we receive all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). When we are baptized into Christ, "we are made free (redeemed) by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God's rich grace" (Ephesians 1:7).