Sermon Notes

Baptism weekend 2023

ACTS 16:25-34

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer^a]"> called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

'"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'" Acts. 16:31

“And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.” Acts 16:32-33

SERMON IN A SENTENCE:

Baptism is a powerful picture of identity, obedience, and community in the life of a Jesus follower. 

1. WHAT IS BIBLICAL BAPTISM?

Baptism is a public declaration that says: “i am a jesus follower!”

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4

“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41

2. WHAT DOESN’T BAPTISM DO?

BAPTISM DOESN’T SAVE ME. IT’S A TESTIMONY THAT I’VE BEEN SAVED.

“… if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

"'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'" Mark 1:15

3. WHAT DOES BAPTISM DO?

We publicly share about what we truly care about!

So what does baptism do?

1. Baptism shows people you love Jesus.


2. Baptism shows people you belong to a family.

4. WHO NEEDS TO BE BAPTIZED?

Two groups of people who should NOT be baptized:

1. People who do not have a relationship with Jesus

2. People who have already been baptized according to the teaching of the New Testament

Baptism in the New Testament was…

1. After salvation

2. By immersion

3. In community

“So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”—Acts 2:41

TODAY, YOU NEED TO BE BAPTIZED!

1. “I’m not ready…”

2. “I was baptized before…”

3. “I’m afraid of _____________”

4. “I don’t understand why it’s a big deal…”