Learning Objectives:

·         Understand what the ordinance of baptism is all about.

·         Appreciate baptism as an ordinance that declares our identification and relationship to Jesus as His obedient disciple.

START UP:

Have you obeyed the Lord in the waters of baptism? Why did you choose to be baptized?

Why have you not obeyed the Lord in the waters of baptism?

WORD:

1.       Observe the “making disciples” process in Matthew 28;19-20. Following the process, what is the only pre-requisite to baptism? Why is baptism a command to obey in the “making disciples” process in Matthew 28:19?

2.       Assign members of your GG to read these passages aloud. Allow them to cite observations regarding gospel declaration, baptism and good works.

·         Acts 8:12 

·         Acts 2:41-47 

·         Acts 10:44-48 

·         Acts 16:13-15 

·         Acts 16:31-34

What biblical principles that relate to baptism can one derive from the above verses?  

People were baptized as they responded to the message of the Gospel when the Word was declared to them. This teaches us that baptism only happens when there is a profession of faith in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This profession and identification with Christ is always followed by good works which is the result of one’s obedience to Christ’s commands. 

Identification with Christ in baptism is not salvation. Salvation is received when one declares or professes that he has accepted that Christ died for his sins, that Jesus was buried and raised again on the third day (1Cor.15:3-4). In baptism we identify with Christ in His death (dead to our sins), His burial (buried our sins) and His resurrection (our new life in Christ and the hope of being with Him). This is also the reason why we practice immersion as our mode of baptism.

3.       Read Romans 6:1-14.

·         Paul was exhorting the believers in Rome as to their faith and life in Christ. What was he teaching them in verses 1-2?

·         What do verses 3-5 teach the Romans as to their identification with Christ in Baptism?  How does the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 relate to these verses?

The phrase for “to be baptized unto” (baptizein eis) can also be translated to be baptized in or with respect to. It is used in the sense of being baptized with respect to the name of someone as Christians we are baptized in the name of Jesus.  The ordinance of baptism is focused upon the death of Christ—its meaning and outcome. But Paul here points to the implications of baptism with reference to the Romans’ way of life. 4. Through baptism, therefore, we were buried together with him in respect to his death. “Being buried together” stresses the reality of Christ’s death. Christ died, and the believer really died with him. Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father. This is a comparative clause. The resurrection brought to the Lord Jesus a new manner of life. In a similar way we also should live in newness of life. Since we were identified with Christ  in his death, we are identified with him in his resurrection. For the Saviour, the resurrection meant a new manner of life. We were buried with Christ in order that we, like him, should live in newness of life. ^[1] 

·         Verse 10 teaches the Romans about the implication of Christ’s death towards their own sin and their new life in Christ.  What was the effect of this “once and for all death” in the way they should live their lives for God (vv.8-14)?

As believers in Christ, the Christians in Rome had victory over sin. Thus Paul later said, “do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you obey its evil desires.” As Christians, we have total victory through the death and resurrection of Christ. Our life is not mastered by sin anymore as this has been conquered by Christ.  This is our identification with Him.

·         How can we remember “baptism”as a daily act of worship instead of a one-time act?

PRAYER TIME:

·         All GG members will desire to live victoriously in Christ.

·         GCFers will grow in their love and obedience to Christ in everyday situations.

·         Our lives will be appealing to those who do not know Jesus.

^[1] Pfeiffer, C. F., & Harrison, E. F. (1962). The Wycliffe Bible commentary : New Testament (Ro 6:3). Chicago: Moody Press.