My father-in-law and I take a few minutes to discuss spiritual matters for a few minutes most anytime we are together. I learn so much from these conversations. Thursday was no different. He shared with me a piece of paper that was faded, yellow, covered in tape to repair snags but the message was still clear. He was not sure how old the typed lesson was but I can assure you it is still valuable today! The lesson is entitled Why Be Baptized by J. Pettey Ezell. Reasons for baptism, according to the lesson based on Scripture are:
God commands it: Acts 10:48, we love God: I John 5:3, to be a friend of Christ: John 15:14, the command is from Heaven, and not from man: Matthew 21:25, lest we reject the counsel of God against ourselves: Luke 7:30, because Christ our Exemplar was baptized: Matthew 3:13-17, to fulfill all righteousness: Matthew 3:16, that we may be confessed as God’s children: Matthew 3:16, to be born again: John 3:3-5, to enter the Kingdom: John 3:5, it is made sacred by the names of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Matthew 28:18-20, in order to be saved: Mark 16:15-16, for remission of sins: Acts 2:38, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:38, to wash away sins: Acts 22:16, to get into Christ: Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27, so we too scripturally rejoice: Acts 8:35-39, 16:30-34, to be buried in Christ: Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, to be raised with Christ: Romans 6:4-5, Colossians 2:12, 3:1, to walk in newness of life: Romans 6:4, to be a new creature: II Corinthians 5:17, to be united with Christ : Romans 6:5, to obey the form of doctrine: Romans 6:17, to be made free from sin: Romans 6:17, to become God’s children by faith: Galatians 3:26-27, to put on Christ: Galatians 3:27, to get into one body: I Corinthians 12:13, to demonstrate baptism now saves us: I Peter 3:21, to have a good conscience toward God: I Peter 3:21.
Jesus made the decision to die for sin, so man decides to die to sin (he repents). Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb, so-in the waters of baptism-the repenting person dies to sin and is buried with Christ. Jesus was raised up from the grave, so is the one being baptized raised up from the grave of water. Jesus was raised to die no more, so the one being baptized now rises to live a new life.
