The First Step of Obedience
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thank You for calling us not only to believe in Christ but also to follow Him in obedience. As we study Your Word today, help us understand the meaning and importance of baptism. Give us willing hearts to obey You and boldly identify ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Primary Text
Romans 6:3-4
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were 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.”
Introduction
After a person trusts in Jesus Christ and is born again, what comes next?
One of the first acts of obedience in the Christian life is baptism.
Baptism does not save a person. Salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
However, baptism is a God-ordained step of obedience that publicly identifies a believer with Christ and His gospel.
Throughout the New Testament, those who believed in Christ were baptized as a testimony of their faith.
What Is Baptism?
Baptism is the outward declaration of an inward reality.
It is a public testimony that a person has trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Baptism symbolizes:
- Union with Christ
- Death to the old life
- Burial of the old life
- Resurrection to new life in Christ
It is a visible picture of the gospel.