Discipline #2 - Living in the Power of Baptism

THE SECOND DISCIPLINE  Living in the Power of Baptism 

Notes For Video #3: 

The Bible is Complete! 

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” (Rom. 6:3-6)   TEXT: “But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness’.” (Matt. 3:15)   PRINCIPLE: Jesus’ command to all who receive His lift-gift of salvation is that they be baptized in water; a call to experience a dynamic, not merely to observe a duty. To obey is a point of entrance into a river-like pathway of submission to the Lordship of Christ, committing to pursue discipleship as one “dead to sin but alive to God” (see Rom. 6:11), through the power of the Holy Spirit.    13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. “Then John consented.  16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17, NIV 

When the Lord speaks to you, commit to being a person who will respond.  
1. Water baptism was Jesus ‘Idea.   
2. When Jesus was baptized:   
1. The heavens were ____________________.   
2. The ____________________ came upon Him.   
3. The voice of the __________________ spoke from heaven.   
3. To live as a baptized disciple is to live dead to sin and alive to God.   
1. Baptism is not only an experience, it is a lifestyle.   There is no more fundamental point of declaring “I am a follower of Jesus Christ” than to be baptized in water.   Depth of Meaning:  
1. Baptism and Obedience:  Our mindset: I have submitted myself in obedience to Jesus’ lordship, and this is my lifetime commitment. My will is to His will. Jesus identified this as a fundamental issue in water Baptism. (see Matt. 3:14-15)   
2. Baptism and the Fullness of the Holy Spirit: 

To live the baptized life is to be open to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Peter tells of the promise awaiting us when we come to the waters of Baptism. “Repent and let every one of you be baptized, “he says. And then he adds glorious words of Promise, “and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).   4. Baptism and the Death the Old Man: 

3 “Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”  Romans 6:3-4, NLT  11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”  Romans 8:11, NLT  5. Baptism and the Circumcision of the Heart: 

11 “When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.[a] 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-13, NLT  6. Baptism and Deliverance: 

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,” I Corinthians 10:1-2 

Discussion Questions   1. What does the summons Pastor Al speak about of “living baptism as a lifestyle” mean to you?   2. Why has baptism too often been seen as just a religious ritual to complete rather than a lifestyle to live?   3. What was especially significant to you when you were baptized?  

This week’s S.O.A.P. … Passage:   20” I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20, ESV