Baptism testifies to that which has already happened in believers; we are buried with Christ and raised from the dead in the Power of God's Holy Spirit.

1. March 27, 2011 Water baptism is a testimony of that which has already happened in a believer’s life. Water Baptism Romans 6 When we are born again as children of God, We are baptized into the body of Christ, By the Holy Ghost .

2. In a spiritual sense, we are crucified with Jesus , and raised from the dead in Him in that moment of salvation. We actually take part in His death , burial , and resurrection . We testify to that spiritual baptism with the act of water baptism . What did we die to ? Look at verses 1-3 .

3. Rom 6 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid . How shall we, that are dead to sin , live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? When we were born as human beings , we were born into a life of sin and depravity. When we were born of the Spirit of God into the family of God , We died to that old life .

4. Sin does not have power over a child of God. We have the power to choose. Sin no longer satisfies or gives the same pleasure it once did. We are dead to sin -- as a way of life .

5. And that is portrayed in the act of Baptism when we are put under the water.

6. But, Jesus didn’t stay dead and in the grave. He’s alive ! And we are alive in Him . Rom 6:4 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 .

7. So, when I lay a person down in that pool of water, it is his testimony : “ I have died to a life of sin and worldly pleasure .”

8. And when I lift one up out of that water, he is saying , “ I am alive unto God, to live a life of righteousness in the Power of God’s Spirit.”

9. Water Baptism doesn't mean anything until a person is born again : Born of the Spirit of God Into the Family of God. These children have all confessed that they are saved from sin , And intend to live for the Lord . They have asked God to save them in the Name of Jesus .

10. John 3 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again , he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

11. To be born again is simply a matter of faith . Ephesians 2 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

12. Jesus died for your sins. God raised Him from the dead.

13. These children have all testified that they are saved and intend to live for the Lord. They are being baptized today to follow Jesus , Not only in water baptism, but throughout their lives.