be baptized

1. Baptism
●“And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my
Son, whom I love; with you I am well
pleased.’” — Mark 1:11
●Baptism: An Act of Obedience and Faith

2. Introduction
●1. Welcome to our study on baptism.
●2. Baptism is a necessary step of faith for every Christian.
●3. We begin by considering what baptism meant in Jesus’
day.
●4. Then we’ll explore what Jesus did and taught about
baptism.
●5. Further readings: Romans 6:1–14 and Colossians 2:9–
13.

3. The Doctrine of Baptism
●Goals:
●1. Understand how those living in New Testament times
understood baptism.
●2. Explain the significance of John the Baptist’s ministry.
●3. Know the main events in Jesus’ baptism.
●4. Understand that all Christians are called to be baptized.
●5. Respond in obedience to God’s instruction to be
baptized.

4. The Prophecy of a Messenger
●Mark 1:2–3“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will
prepare your way—a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
●Isaiah 40:3“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway
for our God.’”
●This prophecy, written hundreds of years before John’s birth,
foretold the coming of a messenger who would prepare
people’s hearts for the Messiah — fulfilled in John the Baptist.

5. John the Baptist’s Ministry
●Mark 1:4–5
●“John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
●John’s message:
●• Turn from sinful ways
●• Confess sins
●• Follow God’s ways
●Those who believed were baptized in the Jordan River.

6. The Meaning of “Baptized”
The word “baptize” comes from the Greek baptízō (βαπτίζω),
meaning “to immerse, dip, or submerge.”
In the New Testament, baptism symbolized:
• Cleansing from sin
• Repentance and renewal
• Identification with God’s people
●It represents being buried with Christ and raised to new life
(Romans 6:4).
●A visible sign of inward faith and obedience.

7. The Practice of Baptism Before John
• The Jews baptized Gentiles who wanted to join their faith
— a symbol of spiritual cleansing.
• The Essenes, a Jewish religious group, also practiced
baptism.
• Baptism symbolized Spiritual Cleansing and it was an act
of initiation.
Spiritual meaning: cleansing from sin and dedication to
holy living.

8. Who Were the Essenes?
• The Essenes were a devout Jewish sect who lived
mostly near the Dead Sea.
• They practiced daily ritual washings, lived
communally, and followed strict purity laws.
• Some scholars believe John the Baptist was
influenced by their practices—especially their
emphasis on repentance, purity, and immersion in
water.
●They, like John, awaited the coming of the Messiah.

9. John’s Message of Repentance
●Mark 1:5
●5 And there went out unto him all the land of
Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all
baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing
their sins.
●6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and
with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did
eat locusts and wild honey;

10. John’s Message of Repentance
●Mark 1:7–8
“After me comes one more powerful than I… I
baptize you with water, but he will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit.”
●John pointed forward to Jesus Christ.
●His baptism prepared people’s hearts for the
Kingdom of God.

11. The Baptism of Jesus
●Mark 1:9–11
●“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was
baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out
of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit
descending on him like a dove.”
●The baptism of Jesus marked:
The beginning of His ministry
The approval of the Father
The presence of the Holy Spirit.

12. Key Lessons from John the Baptist
● John’s ministry fulfilled prophecy.
●Baptism symbolizes repentance and cleansing.
●True repentance leads to obedience.
●Jesus’ example teaches humility and
submission to God’s will.

13. Reflection
●Acts 2:38
●“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins.”
●Baptism is both a symbol and an act of obedience
—a public declaration that we belong to Christ.