Baptism & the Believer

 NOTE: This information was gathered & accumulated over years, thru reading various material & setting under godly men. I do not take credit for this tool that has helped me, I can only take credit for gathering it together in a way that is beneficial to me & I hope others. I do not wish to plagiarize anyone’s individual work, but I am unable to express proper citation due to gathering various notes & scraps of paper from my own study that I have accumulated over the years. I am grateful for all those who have allowed God to use them to help use become better witnesses to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Romans 6:2-8  How shall we who died to sin still live in it?  ³ Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  ⁵ For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,  ⁶ knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;  ⁷ for he who has died is freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him

What is Baptism?

It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to a believer’s faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper. (Baptist Faith and Message 2000)

The GOSPEL

1 Corinthians 15:3-4   ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

• When a Person Repents & Believes the Gospel 

• And by Faith Believes on Christ Jesus

Ø  Confessing Jesus as Lord & Believing God Raised Him from the Dead

§  They are Saved by Grace thru Faith

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Baptism is a Symbolic Act of Obedience

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

 v  Baptism is a Visual Sermon of Christ’s Death, Burial & Resurrection 

Romans 6:3-4 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

v  Baptism is a Public Profession of Faith.

Baptism does not “save you.” It is an outward expression of an inward change of the heart through faith in Christ Jesus as Lord & Savior. Only your faith in Him brings salvation. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

v  Baptism doesn’t make you a believer—it shows that you already believe.

• You’re Not any more Saved if you do
• You’re Not any less Saved if you don’t
  
  

Who should be Baptized? 

• Every person who has believed on Christ Jesus for the Salvation from Sin

Romans 10:9  If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved 

Acts 2:41 those who had received his word were baptized  

Why should a Believer be Baptized? 

1)     To Follow the example set by Jesus

Mark 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

 

2)     Because Jesus commands that every Believer be Baptized

 

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

3)     It demonstrates that a person is a believer

Acts 18:8 many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 

1 John 2:3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 

 

Why be Baptized by immersion? 

1)     Because Jesus was Baptized that way.

Matthew 3:16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water

2)     Every Baptism in the Bible was by immersion.

Acts 8:38-39 they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water

3)     The word “Baptize” means to “live under water.”

Ø  The Greek word baptizo means “to immerse or dip under water.”

 

When should a Person be Baptized? 

• As soon as they have believed!

Acts 8:35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" [And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.  

There is no reason to delay.

As soon as a person Believes, they can & should be Baptized. 

If you attempt to wait until you are “perfect” or “good enough” you will never get Baptized. 

We don’t get Baptized because we are perfect or good enough. 

We get Baptized because Jesus commanded it.

The Church & the Believer

NOTE: This information was gathered & accumulated over years, thru reading various material & setting under godly men. I do not take credit for this tool that has helped me, I can only take credit for gathering it together in a way that is beneficial to me & I hope others. I do not wish to plagiarize anyone’s individual work, but I am unable to express proper citation due to gathering various notes & scraps of paper from my own study that I have accumulated over the years. I am grateful for all those who have allowed God to use them to help use become better witnesses to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 16:13-18

¹³ Jesus was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" ¹⁴ And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." ¹⁵ Jesus said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." ¹⁷ And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Ekklesia - Church - Assembly - Body - Congregation

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. (Baptist Faith & Message 2000)

·        The Scriptures limit the office of Deacon to Men – 1 Timothy 3:8,12

 How was the Church Created?

Matthew 16:16-18 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona , because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

·        Upon the statement, that Jesus is the “Christ, the son of the living God.”

·        Upon this Truth Jesus built His Church & it’s the only thing Jesus promised to build.

Acts 2:1-4 ¹ When the day of Pentecost had come, [the disciples] were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance        

·        The Church was empowered to serve at its inauguration

·        The Promise of Jesus is fulfilled by the indwelling of all believers by the Holy Spirit.

How does Church Work?

u  Joining the Church

Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

§  The Church is made up of Baptized Believers.

u  Expectations of Church Members

Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

§  Devoted to…Preaching, Teaching & Personal Bible Study

§  Devoted to…Fellowship with other believers, corporately & privately

§  Devoted to…Partake in the Lord’s Supper

§  Devoted to…Prayer, corporately & privately 

The Priority of Church Fellowship is Harmony & Unity.

Ephesians 4:2-3 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,  being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

·        Harmony & Unity for its own sake, is neither

·        Never compromise the Word of God for a make believe peace

Christ is the Head of the Church (the Body of Christ)

Ephesians 1:22-23 [The Father] put all things in subjection under [Jesus’] feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 5:23 Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

Colossians 1:18 [Jesus] is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

·        The Church is a Body---Not a Business!

·        The Church is an Organism---Not an Organization!

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.

Going to Church expresses our obedience to the Great Commandment

Mark 12:28-30 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND    WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'                      

·     How can a believer say “I am fulfilling the Great Commandment,” to Love God,

If If the believer disobeys God’s command to meet with the very thing He promised to build?

Going to Church….

u  Is a testimony of support for God’s Work in the World

Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

u  Enables a Believer to hear in person the Preaching of God’s Word

2 Timothy 4:2-4 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

u  Allows a Believer to partake of the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 

u  Enables the Believer to experience special Blessings from God

1 Corinthians 14:26, 31 When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted

u  Helps to prevent an Unbalanced Life

Ephesians 4:14 we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

u  Shows we Love God’s People

John 13:35  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another

u  Is an indication the Believer is partaking in the promised eternal life

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.

Not Going to Church….

p  Is one indication of not being in God’s family

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.

p  Is willful disobedience to the authority of God

Hebrews 10:24-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

p  Is self-centered and foolish

Proverbs 18:1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

Going to Church does not make you a Christian.

Only a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior brings salvation.

31 Day Reading Challenge to Start 2026

Two chapters a day, can you give God two chapters a day?  This Reading Plan is designed to help you begin the process of daily reading and studying God’s Word.   

As you read, write down any questions you may have and share them with your pastor, Bible study teacher, or mentor. A Reader’s goal is to discover what God is revealing about Himself and about the one who is reading, to include how God expects us to behave in relation to the world and His Church.

If life happens and you miss a day don’t be discouraged, just pick up where you left off. The point is not to force your way through it just to say you did it, but to spend some quality time in God’s Word.  It is better for you if you read a small portion and get much from it than to make up for several days of missed readings and get little if anything from it at all.

            Do you believe what you believe because you’ve been told to? Or do you believe because God showed you in His Word?

Expect God to change you in this process; don’t be surprised at how He confronts you in how you think and what you believe. Remember, His purpose for your life is to be just like His Son, Jesus.

Hebrews 4:12-13

¹² For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Day 1- John 1… Proverbs 1

Day 2- John 2… Proverbs 2

Day 3- John 3… Proverbs 3

Day 4- John 4… Proverbs 4 

Day 5- John 5… Proverbs 5

Day 6- John 6… Proverbs 6

Day 7- John 7… Proverbs 7

Day 8- John 8… Proverbs 8

Day 9- John9… Proverbs 9

Day 10- John 10… Proverbs 10

Day 11- John 11… Proverbs 11

Day 12- John 12… Proverbs 12

Day 13- John 13… Proverbs 13

Day 14- John 14… Proverbs 14

Day 15- John 15… Proverbs 15

Day 16- John 16… Proverbs 16

Day 17- John 17… Proverbs 17

Day 18- John 18… Proverbs 18

Day 19- John 19… Proverbs 19

Day 20- John 20… Proverbs 20

Day 21- John 21… Proverbs 21

Day 22- Ephesians 1… Proverbs 22

Day 23- Ephesians 2… Proverbs 23

Day 24- Ephesians 3… Proverbs 24

Day 25- Ephesians 4… Proverbs 25

Day 26- Ephesians 5… Proverbs 26

Day 27- Ephesians 6… Proverbs 27 

Day 28- Colossians 1… Proverbs 28

Day 29- Colossians 2… Proverbs 29

Day 30- Colossians 3… Proverbs 30

Day 31- Colossians 4… Proverbs 31

The Bible: What it means for the Believer

 NOTE: This information was gathered & accumulated over years, thru reading various material & setting under godly men. I do not take credit for this tool that has helped me, I can only take credit for gathering it together in a way that is beneficial to me & I hope others. I do not wish to plagiarize anyone’s individual work, but I am unable to express proper citation due to gathering various notes & scraps of paper from my own study that I have accumulated over the years. I am grateful for all those who have allowed God to use them to help use become better witnesses to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:4-6  ⁴ For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  ⁵ Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,  ⁶ so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Word:

Read and Obey

The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the only safe and infallible revelation of God to man.  Thus, it is the infallible rule for a believer’s life and practice.
 

How did Jesus view the Scriptures? 

Matthew 4:4  It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, after spending forty days in the wilderness in prayer and fasting, He was confronted by the devil.  Seen to be in a weakened state the devil tempted Jesus three times and each time Jesus defended Himself with the Word of God (Matt 4:1-11). 

How much more do we need the Word of God?

What is a believer to do with God’s Word?

1)     Learn from God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:14-15 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

§  Spend time reading God’s Word and learn God’s expectations for you

§  Let it convince you of His Truth

§  Allow believers to help you in your study of the Bible

§  Its truth aligned with faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior brings Salvation

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

The Authority of the Bible is based in that it is “inspired (God-breathed) by God,” because its authority is God it is inerrant (free from error) and infallible (incapable of error).

Profit from God’s Word

§  For teaching (Doctrine)……………………………..What is right in God’s eyes

§  For reproof (Conviction)…………………………….What is not right in God’s eyes

§  For correction (Discipline)…………………………..How to get it right in God’s eyes

§  For training in righteousness (Discipleship)………How to stay right in God’s eyes

2)     Find purpose in God’s Word 

So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

God has never lowered His standard of perfection in thought or conduct and especially for those who He has bought and paid for with His blood.  God has given us His Word that we might be made complete and fit for His service.  

Why is the Bible Necessary?

§  For knowing the Good News of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:17)

§  For maintaining spiritual life (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

§  For knowing God’s will (Romans 12:2)

Is the Word of God Sufficient?         

A)    Sufficient for life and godliness

2 Peter 1:3-4 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence . For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.        

The Bible is sufficient “pertaining to life and godliness.”  The Bible will not tell you how to change the oil in your car or how to do surgery, but it will guide you through life’s difficult choices and draw you to God’s purpose and expectations for you.  By learning who God is, His character, and expectations we are able (with the help of the Holy Sprit) to become more like Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). 

B)    Sufficient for judging our hearts

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

C)    Sufficient for equipping a believer for God’s work

2 Timothy 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

§  Does not mean “just enough to get by”

§  Means you will have what is necessary to accomplish God’s purpose

Is it enough to just read God’s Word? 

·        Be a doer of the Word            

James 1:22-25 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

A believer is called not only to be a reader and hearer of God’s Word 
but also a doer of His Word. 

·        Judgment comes by the Word of God           

John 12:47-48 ⁴⁷ "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not            come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸ "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings,          has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

·        Refusing to do what God requires is sinful

James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

Luke 11:28

 

 

 

 

 

Two Christmas Reading Plans

Christmas is upon us. 

Do you know the Reason for the Season??

Join me in reading about God's Redemptive plan to Save us from our sin.  Below are two reading plans to ready your heart for Christmas.  Pick one or read both.

The First Reading Plan is focused upon the Prophetic Messianic promises of God to send a Savior to save Humanity.  

The Second Plan takes you through the genealogy of Jesus were you will discover the Grace & Mercy of God to use some of the most unlikely people to bring the Messiah into the World.

You can also find PDF Printable versions Online;

https://mywmbc.org/bible-reading-challenge/

Bible Reading Challenge #1  

Merry Christmas

               The Christmas Season is upon us.  As you prepare for the Season may you forever remember the Reason for the Season...Jesus, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, laid in a manger and destined to die for our sins.

      

       This reading is focused on just a few of the many prophetic Messianic promises found in the Old Testament pointing to the Birth and Ministry of our Lord. As well as a few Messianic promises of His Return for His people.

       May you find hope that God keeps His Word from Eternity Past to Eternity Future

1 Dec      Genesis 3

2 Dec      Genesis 22:1-18

3 Dec      Genesis 49:1-28

4 Dec      Exodus 12

5 Dec      Deuteronomy 18:15-18

6 Dec      2 Samuel 7:12-16

7 Dec      Psalm 2

8 Dec      Isaiah 9:1-7

9 Dec      Isaiah 11

10 Dec     Isaiah 35

11 Dec     Isaiah 40:1-11

12 Dec     Isaiah 42:1-4

13 Dec     Isaiah 52:13àIsaiah 53

14 Dec     Isaiah 61

15 Dec     Jeremiah 31

16 Dec     Micah 5:1-5

17 Dec     Zechariah 9:1-10

18 Dec     Zechariah 12

19 Dec     Psalm 110

20 Dec     Matthew 1:1-17

21 Dec     Luke 1:1-25

22 Dec     Luke 1:26-56

23 Dec     Matthew 1:18-25

24 Dec     Luke 1:57-80

25 Dec     Luke 2:1-40

26 Dec     Matthew 2

27 Dec     Revelation 1:9-20

28 Dec     Revelation 4

29 Dec     Revelation 5

30 Dec     Revelation 19:1-16

31 Dec     Revelation 21 & 22

Bible Reading Challenge #2  

Christmas

                  The Season of Christmas is upon us once more.  As you prepare for the season may you forever remember the reason for the Season...Jesus, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, laid in a manger and destined to die for our sins.  

       The Reading will help you to see the focus of God’s redemptive plan.  Salvation is not relegated to a select few who are pure in their genealogy and their religion, but is open to all humanity and you find no greater evidence of this than in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Himself. 

       Simple and short this plan may be but it is packed with great insight.  As always, let the Lord peak your curiosity read before and long after these passages. Enjoy the discovery of God’s Great Word.

1 Dec      Genesis 16

2 Dec      Genesis 27

3 Dec      Genesis 38

4 Dec      Joshua 2

5 Dec      Joshua 6

6 Dec      Ruth 1

7 Dec      Ruth 2

8 Dec      Ruth 3

9 Dec      Ruth 4

10 Dec     2 Samuel 11

11 Dec     2 Samuel 12

12 Dec     1 Kings 11

13 Dec     1Kings 12

14 Dec     1 Kings 15

15 Dec     2 Kings 8:16-29

16 Dec     2 Kings 15:32-16:4

17 Dec     2 Kings 18

18 Dec     2 Kings 21

19 Dec     2 Kings 22:1-23:3

20 Dec     Matthew 1:1-17

21 Dec     Luke 1:1-25

22 Dec     Luke 1:26-56

23 Dec     Matthew 1:18-25

24 Dec     Luke 1:57-80

25 Dec     Luke 2:1-40

26 Dec     Matthew 2

27 Dec     Revelation 1:9-18

28 Dec     Colossians 1:13-22

29 Dec     Hebrews 4:14-5:1-14

30 Dec     Romans 8

31 Dec     Ephesians 2