Why should I be Baptized? Luke 3.21-22

Baptism is a special time for us; it's a special moment in the life of the church.  Baptism also reminds us of our own baptism.  My parents were very involved in church.  My dad filled and drained the baptistry.  As a kid I was fascinated by the baptistry.  In summertime as a kid my cousins and I would practice baptizing one another at the pool, playing games and dunking one another.  Baptism is meaningful and it's also unusual.  It's different than anything else you do.  You don't see baptism anywhere else, so what is it and why should someone be baptized?  The baptism of Jesus is in Luke 3 in two verses.  It's actually one sentence in the original language.  As we read Jesus' baptism it's a time to think about our own baptism.  There's some reasons we baptize:

Baptism connects us to believers throughout history.

 Baptism is something we have celebrated as a church for a couple thousand years now.  Millions and possibly billions of people have been baptized.  Last week we looked at how people went out to hear John the Baptist as a way of preparing their hearts for the way of the Lord.  John asked them, "What are you doing here?  Are you serious?"  Many of them said, yes and they were baptized.  We see similarities in our own baptisms. After John baptized, in a moment later, we are introduced to Jesus.  This is why John was born, for this climatic event in his life.  In Acts 2:41 Jesus ascends to Heaven in front of a lot of people.  The disciples are there.  They're asking, 'What comes next?'  Next is what Jesus commanded, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matt. 28:19  The whole story of Acts is time after time of the disciples preaching the Gospel in different places and people respond and are baptized.  It's a new era in the Bible.  We ask the same questions.  

Baptism is a unique experience.  When we're baptized we join with believers over a span of over 2000 years from all walks of life.  In 64AD persecution of the church began under Nero in Rome.  Baptism was a public event; nowhere else do you see a baptism.  It became the symbol of the persecuted church.  In 230AD the church realized they needed a place to meet, so the very first known church building was constructed.  In 381AD Christianity became the state religion in Rome.  It took a few centuries to  go from persecution to the state religion.  Thousands of people were baptized in the 4th century.  In 432AD St. Patrick was sent out to Ireland to convert the heathens.  He baptized them.  In 1214 in London, the Magna Carta was signed, giving rights to clergy to practice religion without government interference.  In 1395 Wycliffe translated the Bible into modern day language so people could read the BIble for themselves.  This precipitated the Reformation.  Protestants and Baptists come from the Reformation.  We can read the Bible ourselves.  Faith is a personal decision, and there's a renewed emphasis on individual choice.  In 1812 Judson stands for sending missionaries all over the world.  In 1855 DL Moody came to faith in Christ.  In 1858 a self-described unruly teen girl gave her life to Christ and was baptized, Lottie Moon.  In 1931, 90 years ago, an agnostic professor in the UK was baptized, C.S. Lewis.  We connect with millions of people who have had different experiences from us.  We all need faith in Jesus.

                        Now when all the people were baptized,   Luke 3.21a (ESV)                                                                                              

            Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.   Acts 2.41 (NLT)                                                                                                                                                                                      

Jesus was baptized.

 Luke tell us about the baptism of Jesus.  Jesus was praying.

            and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,    Luke 3.21b (ESV)

 Prayer is how God reveals Himself to us.  People were getting their hearts ready for the Messiah and Jesus shows up. What surprises John is Jesus asks John to baptize Him.  John baptizes Jesus.  We wonder why Jesus would Jesus be baptized.  Baptism is a public profession of faith.  The act of baptism is an outward symbol that we have given our life to God.  Jesus doesn't need forgiveness of sin. Theologically baptism does not save us.  The reason for baptism isn't for salvation but it symbolizes salvation.  Why would Jesus be baptized?  Jesus did this as a model for us, to show us what He wants us to do.  Jesus was baptized and Jesus says for us to be baptized.  We need good models.  Years ago in VBS, in a preschool class the group was doing a craft using pillows.  The pastor walked in and initiated a pillow fight and totally disrupted the class.  Not all models are good.  John goes off the scene and now Jesus is central.                                                                                                                                                                                        

It is a public sign of our commitment to God.

Baptism is our response; we can demonstrate we have given our lives to God.  How we dress wearing our sports teams on our shirts shows some of our identity.  Baptism shows our identity.  God the Father speaks in verse 22:
                        and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  Luke 3.22 (ESV)

This is public.  Here we have the Father speaking to the Son and and the Holy Spirit descends.  This is why when we do a baptism we baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit.  It's a very simple act; it's it is so significant.  When it says the Spirit was like a dove, honestly, I do not know what that means. I cannot explain this.  I believe those watching that day understood, but today we do not.  This happened and the Father spoke.  He calls Jesus "beloved."  Beloved means unique.  We see this uniqueness in John 3:16 as the same word is used to describe Jesus.  This is God's plan, to send Jesus into the world for you and I.  The Father is pleased to see the Son carrying out His will.  This was public. The birth of Jesus was public.  The ministry of Jesus was public.  Jesus was with an among people.  THe cross was public; the empty tomb was public.  The return of Jesus was public and so was His ascension.  This is why baptism is a public and outward sign.                                                                                                                                                                

            And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes.  Galatians 3.27 (NLT)

As we give ourselves to God, God puts His character in us.  Baptism is outward and symbolizes  what's happened.  Next Sunday our graduates will be in their cap and gowns.  Putting on a cap and gown isn't the accomplishment but it symbolizes the accomplishment of the students, it's a symbol.  Ten years ago after I preached a young married man came forward and his wife didn't understand why he wanted to be baptized.  He had been a believer for years but had never been baptized.  He wanted to be baptized.  Have you publicly expressed your faith in Christ?  If not, please reach out to us.  If you're ready to be baptized, let us know.  We'd love to celebrate that with you.  Today's sermon reminds us of our own baptism.  What was significant about your baptism?  We have our identity in Jesus Christ.    

Sermon by Dr. Scotty Carpenter.  Sermon Notes by Jeni Martin Johnson.