John the Baptist’s “Baptism of Repentance” prepared the heart of the individual to receive the “Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins” offered in the name of Jesus Christ alone (Acts 2:38, 4:12). True repentance (willingness to turn from sin, a change of heart as well as mind) always precedes true conversion. None of us have been baptized by John the Baptist to prepare our hearts to receive Christ, however, each of us have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to repent or turn from our sin, in order to receive the forgiveness that is offered through Jesus Christ.

When a person is baptized, he or she is demonstrating two things:

1. Jesus did come, die, was buried, and on the 3rd day rose again, for the forgiveness of sins

Meaning: Jesus gave His life, so I may live. Jesus paid the unobtainable debt I owed by giving His life, and He arose again, conquering sin and death, freeing us from the penalty of sin and offering us forgiveness and life.

Romans 6:3-7 "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin."

2. I no longer want to live for myself, but for Him Who died for me

Meaning: I want to lay down my life, my sin, my desires, my wants, in order to serve my Savior and Master. Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

IN SHORT: Why should you be baptized? A) To Obey God B) Publicly Testify to the World:

1. Your sins have been forgiven in Christ "Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” - Acts 2:38

2. You are a New Creation in Christ "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

“This, of course, is a very shortened description of “Baptism” and the reasons why each believer should be baptized. This handout was given to those who desired to be baptized after hearing the sermon series on baptism. Soon you should be able to listen to this series on the website. God Bless!” – Pastor Dan