Introduction:

1. Baptism is a prominent Bible theme. Its many facets are discussed.

2. Despite the claim of some that it is unimportant and unnecessary, the Bible declares that when "obeyed from the heart" (Rom. 6:17) many blessings accompany baptism.

A. One's sins are remitted. Acts 2:38.

B. One is saved. Mark 16:16.

C. One is added to the church. Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13.

D. One enters Christ. Gal. 3:27.

3. But though very important and necessary, there are some things baptism will not do. It was not designed by our Lord to accomplish some things.

4. In this lesson we will focus on some of them.

 

I. BAPTISM DOES NOT CHANGE THE HEART.

1. One man said, "I was baptized and it didn't do me any good; I was just as bad afterward, as before." He expected too much of baptism.

2. The "heart" must be changed before baptism. The heart is..

A. The intellect which BELIEVES (Rom. 10:10); REASONS (MK. 2:8); THINKS (Gen. 6:5).

B. The emotions with which we LOVE (MT. 22:37); TRUST (Prov. 3:5); DESIRE (Rom. 10:1).

C. The will with which we INTEND (Heb. 4:12); PURPOSE (2 Cor. 9:7); OBEY (Rom. 6:17).

3. Baptism does not change these. Faith and repentance change the heart.

 

II. BAPTISM DOES NOT REMOVE TEMPTATION.

1. Jesus was tempted immediately following his baptism. MT. 4:1-11.

2. All Christians suffer temptation. Jas. 1: 2, 3, 12-15; 1 Cor. 10:13.

3. Satan begins to tempt earnestly following baptism. Eph. 6:11.

 

III. BAPTISM DOES NOT MAKE ONE SINLESS.

1. No one is without sin. Rom. 3:23; 1 Jno. 1:8-10; Gal. 2:11.

2. Holy Spirit baptism did not make recipient sinless.

 

IV. BAPTISM DOES NOT GUARANTEE ETERNAL SALVATION.

1. Though some believe "Once saved, always saved," the Bible does not teach it.

After one becomes a Christian, he can:

A. "Be overtaken in a fault and need restoring." Gal. 6:1.

B. "Sin and be in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, and perish." Acts 8:18-23.

C. "Return to weak and beggarly elements of world." Gal. 4:9.

D. "Turn from the Holy Commandment...." 2 Pet. 2:20-22.

E. "Look back and become unfit for kingdom." Luke 9:62.

 

2. While some do not believe it, they live as though they did. Baptism is their last positive action.

3. Baptism is not the end of obedience, but the beginning of "Walking a new life in Christ." Rom. 6:4; Col. 3:1-3.

4. The "Crown of life" is for the "Faithful unto death." Rev. 2:10.

 

Conclusion: Baptism is essential; you cannot be saved without it! But baptism "alone" will not save any more than faith "alone." -Preaching from the Past, A Collection of Sermon Outlines by Jess W. Nutter, p. 26.

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