RESTORATION CHURCH
Pre-Encounter Worksheet
Session Seven
Water Baptism
A First Step In Obedience
Why Should I Be Baptized?
To follow the example set by ____________.
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river. Mark 1:9
Because Christ ______________ it.
Jesus said, “God then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptized them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:19-20
It demonstrates that I really am a ________________.
…many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized.
Acts 18:8
We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands.
I John 2:3
What is the Meaning of Baptism?
It illustrates Christ’s _____________ and resurrection.
Christ died for our sins… He was buried… and He rose again.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ. Colossians 2:12
It illustrates my ____________________ as a Christian.
When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
By our baptism then we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that Just as Christ was raised from the dead… so also we may live a new life!
Romans 6:4
Baptism doesn’t make you a believer – it shows that you already___________. Baptism does not “save” you- only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
It illustrates our _____________ to the sins nature.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into Christ Jesus were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised fro the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin –
Romans 6:1-4,6
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:11-12
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
Why Be Baptized by Immersion?
Because __________ was baptized that way.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.
Matthew 3:16
Every baptism in the _________________ was by immersion.
…then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water… Acts 8:38-39
The word “baptize” means “to _______________ water.”
The Greek word “baptize” means to “immerse or dip under water.”
It Best Symbolizes a Burial and Resurrection!
The founders of denominations agree:
Martin Luther: I would have those who are to be baptized to be entirely
immersed, as the word imports and the mystery signifies.
John Calvin: The word “baptize” signifies to immerse. It is certain that
immersion was the practice of the ancient church.
John Wesley: Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion
according to the custom of the first church.
Who Should Be Baptized?
Every person who has ________________ in Christ.
Those who believed and accepted his message were baptized…
Acts 2:41
Simon himself believed and was baptized…
Acts 8:13
But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News… and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:12
At Restoration Church, we wait until our children have come under the dealings of God, and have experienced conviction of sin so that they make their decision to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them.
Some churches practice a “baptism of confirmation” for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed.
This is different from the baptism talked about in the Bible, which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.
When Should I Be Baptized?
As soon as you have believed.
Those who believed…were baptized… that day. Acts 2:41
Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about
Jesus. And they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the
man said, “Look, here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?”
Philip said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So they went
down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:35-38
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect,” you will never feel “good enough.”
Can my family be baptized together? Yes! If each family member understands fully the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptized at the same time. It is a wonderful expression of commitment. However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay your baptism while waiting on other family members to accept Christ, particularly children. This puts an undue pressure on them, and delays your obedience.
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