The Importance of Baptism

I.  What is baptism?

Baptism is the   of our  in Christ.

Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Baptism is to be .

Mark 10:38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

When Jesus died he was overwhelmed with death, so we could be    overwhelmed with life.

Baptism is to be by God.

Acts 2:38-41 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words, he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

When you are baptized into Christ, you become His, spiritually and mentally.  

You say ‘I belong now’.  You are His.

Baptism is to be the old way of .

Romans 6:2-3 How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory o the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

II. Why should I be baptized?

You should be baptized to   the example set by Christ.

Mark 1:19 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river.

You should be baptized because Christ it.

Mark 28:19-20 ‘Jesus said, Go then, to all the people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, son and the Holy Spirit…’

You should be baptized because it I really am a .

1 John 2:3-6 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked

We are baptized to follow His example, because Jesus commands it. Being baptized does not make you a believer, you were a believer when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of you salvation and believed in him.

Acts 18:8 ”…many of the people who heard Him believed and were baptized.

III. Why Be Baptized by Immersion?

Jesus was Baptised by full .

Matthew 3:16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,[a] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him

Every Baptism in The Bible was by .

Acts 8:38-39 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

It best symbolizes a , and .

Romans 6:5-11 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

The greek definition of Baptism, “Baptizo" means: .

IV. Who should be baptized?

.

Acts 18:8 …many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

Notes Section:

Part 1: Is there a God?

Acts 17

Origin: 1. How did I get here?

Morality: 2. What is right and wrong?

Meaning: 3. Why am I here?

Destiny: 4. Where am I going?

Part 2: Is The Bible Reliable?

Big Questions:

Origin: 1. How can we trust the Bible says today what was originally written thousands of years ago?

Author: 2. Who wrote the Bible?

Subject: 3. Who is the entire Bible about?

Prophecy: 4. What is the “5th” Gospel?

Part 3: Is Jesus The Only Way?

Christianity isn't about what I need to do but what God has done for me! 

Big Questions:

Origin: 1. Who says that Jesus is the only way?

Purpose: 2. Why did Jesus come? Liar, Lunatic or Lord?

 Meaning: 3. How can I know the way to Heaven?

  Now what?: 4. What is the main point of Christianity?

Part 4: Why Are We Not Catholic?

Big Questions: 

Why do we not pray to Mary or the Saints? 

Is there a Purgatory or just Heaven and Hell? 

Are the Sacraments required for salvation?

Do you do confirmation? How do I become a member?

Why can’t I baptize my child (baby) ? 

If I get divorced can I still come to Waters? 

Is the Pope the head of the church? 

If there are no priests who do I confess my sins to for forgiveness? 

Why is communion not done every week?

Are Catholics considered Christians? 

Do you practice Lent at Waters Church? 

WHO WE ARE

Waters church is built to ,  , and into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

We are here for those that are . Matthew 28:19-20

WHAT WE BELIEVE

The core beliefs of Waters Church are:

1. Salvation through Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
2. The Bible is the Inspired of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV), 2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV)
3. The Trinity     1 John 5:7-8 (ESV), 2 Cor 13:14 (NLT), John 14:26 (ESV)
4. The Command of and The Matthew 28:19 (ESV), Matthew 19:32-33 (ESV)

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

These core beliefs are the driving force behind three simple yet fundamental elements to our weekend experience:

= How we talk to God. Matthew 6:9-13 ( ESV)
= How we glorify  God   Psalm 150 (ESV)
= How we know God. 2 Peter 1:20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

HOW WE CONNECT AND GROW

1. Baptism

Baptism is a personal .  Galatians 3:27-29 (ESV)
Baptism is an opportunity for .  Acts 8:35-38 (ESV)
Baptism uses your for God’s .  Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
Baptism is The of our new identity in Christ!  Acts 2:41 9 (ESV)

2. Life Groups

We are Life Groups. Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
We are   Life Groups.  Acts 2:44 (ESV)
We are in Life Groups. Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
  happens in Life Groups!

3. Serving

Why we serve: because .  Matthew 20:26-28 ( ESV)
Who we serve: . 1 Peter 4:8-11 (ESV)
When we serve: . Matthew 26:39-44 (ESV)

4. Reading

Reading The Bible us. Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
Reading The Bible us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Reading The Bible us. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
A great way to study The Bible is with .

5. Giving

Tithing is an that reflects an . Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
The value of the tithe is not determined by the , but by the by which it is given. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)
Generosity is not a , it is an from God to show that our trust is truly in Him. Luke 6:38 ( ESV) 1 John 3:17 (ESV)

Tip: If you don’t think you can afford to tithe consider taking  .

Next steps: Get Baptized, Join a Life Group, Start Serving.  Go to Starting Point, Financial Peace University.

Ways to serve: Waters Kids, Ignite Kids, Activate Youth, & Elevate Youth Ministries; Cafe, Guest Services, Info Central, Production Team, Parking Team, Security, and more!

 Ways to give: Right here on waterschurch.guide (scroll all the way to the bottom to the "Give" section). The giving kiosk at your campus (if provided).

MOBILE GIVING

Text the gift amount to your campus's giving number.

(For example, $25 to 508-809-4384)

508-809-4384 North Attleboro 
401-356-3040 Woonsocket Campus

Notes Section: