Introduction:With today’s message we come to the first T in BAPTISTS. It is a letter that will have two messages devoted to it. Why? Because the T stands for the Biblical Baptist distinctive - Two Ordinances - Believer’s Baptism and The Lord’s Table. Today’s message will focus on the first of those two ordinances - Believer’s Baptism.

What is meant when I say that Baptism and the Lord’s Table are Ordinances? Well, ordinance means "an authoritative rule, law, decree or command" and in the Christian context it means "a symbolic act or ceremony commanded (ordained) by Christ." Baptist do not refer to baptism as a sacrament. The word "sacrament" means "a visible sign that symbolizes or confers inward grace." It is a word that is often used to mean a ritual that creates or improves one’s relationship with Christ. But the Bible clearly teaches that salvation comes by faith in Christ and not by rituals or ceremonies. Therefore, Baptists use the term "ordinance," rather than "sacrament," because it more accurately describes the nature of the Biblical ceremony of baptism.

If you were to take a poll in which you asked: "What belief or practice makes Baptists unique?" , probably the majority of responses would be related to baptism. Yes, baptism is very much a part of who we are as Biblical Baptists, but it is not the only unique mark of Baptists. Baptists do believe that the Bible contains very clear teachings concerning baptism and they differ from what many other churches teach and believe.

It should be evident from the title of the message who Baptists believe should be the only ones baptized - believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. This distinctive of believer’s baptism came to a head during the Reformation when some believers began teaching and practicing believer’s baptism only. This was totally opposed to the state religions of that day and even of our day. Just about everyone else saw no problem in baptizing infants (pedobaptists), and baptizing people into the membership of their church whether or not they had placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Those who took the position that only true believers should be baptized were given the derisive name "Anabaptists" But is this distinctive belief supported by the Word of God? It certainly is, and that is where my message will begin today.

I. WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE FOR BELIEVER’S BAPTISM?

A. The precedent of John the Baptist
1. The first instance of baptism in the New Testament is that conducted by John the Baptist. His ministry is recorded in each of the Gospels.

2. Luke 3:3-18 contains a description of his ministry urging repentance and baptism. Verse 8 speaks of his requirement of repentance before he would permit baptism, "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance ..." The context indicates that there had to be a conscious, willful spiritual decision made before baptism was allowed.

3. The baptism by John the Baptist was a symbolic expression of the faith candidates had exercised in changing their lives and drawing close to God. This example is a precedent for Christian believer's baptism after John.

B. The pronouncement of Jesus Christ Himself

1. Christ commanded the New Testament church to preach the gospel in all the world. His command is repeated in all four of the Gospels and also in the book of Acts. Two of the accounts include statements regarding baptism. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them ..."
Mark 16:15-16 says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

2. In each of these cases, faith, belief or acceptance of the gospel is indicated before baptism is administered. Teaching or disciple making is required before baptism in Matthew's account and believing is required before baptism in Mark's account. Don’t misunderstand what Mark wrote (He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved) to mean that a person has to be baptized to be fully saved. That is not what Jesus was teaching. If it was He changed His mind when He told the thief on the cross next to Him who placed his faith and trust in Jesus that day, that he would be with Him in Paradise. That thief was not baptized but Jesus told him he had eternal life. In fact, the second half of Mark 16:16 makes it clear that if a person did not believe they were condemned. It doesn’t say that if they believed and were not baptized that they are condemned.

3. Clearly, the command of Christ Himself requires that baptism be administered only after the candidate has believed or accepted Christ.

C. The practice of the New Testament church
The book of Acts records the spread of the gospel, its acceptance and the practice of baptism. In each case of baptism, it was preceded by the preaching of the message of the gospel and an appeal for a spiritual decision, and decisions for Christ being made. Here are some examples:
Acts 2:41 says, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized"
Acts 8:12 says, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized ..."
Acts 8:36-37 says,"... the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered, I believe ..."
Acts 18:8 says, "... and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."
These and the other instances of Christian baptism unmistakably show that the New Testament practice was to baptize believer's only.

D. The picture of baptism in the New Testament
A reference to the symbolism of baptism in the New Testament also supports the view that this ordinance is for believer's only. Romans 6:3-5 teaches that baptism (immersion in water) pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The candidate identifies with Christ's work on the cross in spiritual and literal baptism. Verse 4 says,"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Such an identification could only be possible if the candidate were also a believer.

II. HOW SHOULD A BELIEVER BE BAPTIZED?

1. The word for "baptize" in the original Greek is baptizo. That Greek word means "to dip, to sink, to submerge or to immerse." This word was used in many everyday contexts, such as, dyeing cloth by dipping it into the dye, drawing water by dipping a cup into it, or even of sinking ships.

2. Our English word "baptize" is not a translation of the Greek but simply a transliteration. If our English translations would be accurate they would translate this Greek word as immerse or submerge. Why didn’t they? When the KJV translation of the scriptures was first put out in 1611 the translators didn’t want to ruffle too many feathers in the various religious camps of England then, including King James I, so they simply transliterated the word and allowed the readers to read into the word what they wanted.

3. Note these New Testament examples of baptisms and you will understand that Biblical baptism is by immersion or to dip under the water.
Mark 1:10 (Jesus’ baptism at the hands of John the Baptist) - And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: John 3:23 - And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. Acts 8:38 - And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

4. It is clear from these three passages of scripture that a large amount of water existed in each case. This, along with the meaning of the word "baptize" lets us know that when John the Baptist was baptizing and when the early church baptized believers in Jesus Christ, it was done in a place where there was much water so that the person could be put completely under the water. As we saw under the symbolism of baptism, being placed completely under the waters of baptism picture our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

III. WHY SHOULD A BELIEVER BE BAPTIZED?

A. It is an act of obedience to Christ’s command

1. His command by example--Matthew 3:15
2. His command by word -- Matthew 28:19,20

To be in complete obedience to the Lord, a believer must be baptized after they have come to know the Lord as their Saviour. There may be some here today who were sprinkled as an infant or were even baptized by immersion sometime in the past, but since that time you have come to know the Lord as your personal Saviour. Based upon God’s Word, you need to be baptized again - scripturally baptized. Just because there has been a baptism in the past doesn’t make it scriptural. It must take place after you were saved, not before. Remember, that is what the Word of God teaches.

B. As a testimony to the world

Matthew 10:32 says, Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Baptism has always been an open testimony to all around us of the commitment we have made to the Lord and He has made to us. We are His now and His alone. Though in our country being known as a Christian doesn’t carry much of a stiff price, it still does in some places of the world. Being baptized lets everyone around that new believer know that they are now a Christian.

C. As a means of blessing
Whenever God’s people obey the direct commands of God for them, He showers them with blessings. When those same people decide to live outside of God’s clearly expressed will that is declared in the Word of God, then they should not expect any blessings from God, and will most certainly know His discipline in their life.

Conclusion:
1. Is there one here today who has been trusting in their infant sprinkling or some other form of baptism for your salvation? The Bible is very clear that true salvation from God has nothing to do with our works, but everything to do with His grace. This is what Ephesians 2:8,9 say, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Trusting in one’s baptism for salvation spells "Do"; Salvation by grace alone is spelled "Done".

I beseech you to not walk out of this church today if you are trusting a baptism for your salvation. It has not saved your soul nor will it ever. You need to place your faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. He has already paid the price for all your sins. Accept and believe that today. Titus 3:5 teaches the same thing that Ephesians 2:8,9 teaches, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

2. Maybe you are here today as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ but have never been scripturally baptized after coming to know the Lord as your Saviour. Again, based on the clear statement of God’s Word, I would encourage you to as soon as possible, follow the Lord into the water of baptism and do it right.

3. Maybe there is a believer here today who was baptized as an infant or child, and you may have trusted that for your salvation until the Lord, through His Word, taught you otherwise and you were gloriously saved. But you have never been rebaptized since you were saved, and maybe had not given it much thought, but today the Lord has convicted you of your disobedience to Him. Make a decision to follow the Lord in the waters of baptism.