Sermon notes July 27th, 2025

BAPTISM SUNDAY

“We don’t simply get baptized because He did. We’re baptized into Him and He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit”.

Matthew 28:19-20 is often considered the best scripture for baptism, as it contains the Great Commission where Jesus instructs his followers to baptize new believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Other significant verses include Romans 6:3-4, which links baptism to the believer's death and resurrection with Christ, and Acts 2:38, where Peter instructs believers to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. 

Matthew 28:19-20                                       New King James Version

19   Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

20   teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen

• This verse establishes the importance of baptism as a command from Jesus. It highlights the Trinitarian (a person who believes in the doctrine of the Trinity). aspect of baptism, emphasizing that believers are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Romans 6:3-4                                               New King James Version

3   Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 

4   Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life

• This passage emphasizes the symbolic meaning of baptism as a representation of the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. It suggests that through baptism, believers are united with Christ in his death and resurrection, symbolizing a new life in Him

Acts 2:38                                                        New King James Version

38   Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

• This verse connects baptism with repentance and the forgiveness of sins. It encourages believers to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s answer was that they should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because of the remission of sins. First, they were to repent, acknowledging their guilt, and taking sides with God against themselves.
• Then they were to be baptized for (or unto) the remission of their sins. At first glance, this verse seems to teach salvation by baptism, and many people insist that this is precisely what it does mean. Such an interpretation is impossible for the following reasons:

1. There are dozens of NT passages, salvation comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12; John 3:16, John 6:47; Acts 16:31; Rom.10:9, for examples). No verse or two could conceivably contradict such overwhelming testimony.
2. The thief on the cross had the assurance of salvation apart from baptism (Luke 23:43).
3. The Savior is not stated to have baptized anyone, a strange omission if baptism is essential to salvation.
4. The Apostle Paul was thankful that he baptized only a few of the Corinthians—a strange cause for thankfulness if baptism has saving merit (1 Cor. 1:14–16).

We are Baptized as an outward demonstration of what has already happened on the inside. We have received the Holy Spirit having believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior. The "gifts of the Holy Spirit" refer to special abilities or graces given by God to believers for the purpose of building up the Church and serving others. There are different lists in the Bible and interpretations, but common examples include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. 

• These gifts are available to whom seeks them and the Holy Spirit who gives them, but remember they’re for growing the kingdom of God and serving others.

Ephesians 1:13-14                                      New King James Version

13   In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 

14   who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Why Do We Believe It’s Important                                               to Dedicate Our Children?

While the Bible doesn't explicitly outline a ritual called "baby dedication", it does showcase examples of parents presenting their children to God for blessing and guidance. These examples, along with biblical verses emphasizing the importance of raising children in faith, form the basis for the practice of baby dedication in many Christian traditions. How Baby Dedication is Practiced Today:

• Many Protestant churches today practice baby dedication as a way for parents to publicly commit to raising their children in the Christian faith. This practice acknowledges God's sovereignty over their child's life and expresses the parents' desire to partner with God in their child's spiritual development. It's not a sacrament or a guarantee of salvation, but rather a public declaration of faith and a commitment to nurturing a child's relationship with God and a Church participating and helping the parents in this. I can’t think of anything more important.

In the Old Testament, Hannah is best known as the mother of the prophet Samuel. She was one of Elkanah's two wives, and despite being barren, she prayed fervently for a son and vowed to dedicate him to God's service. God answered her prayer, and after Samuel was weaned, Hannah fulfilled her vow by taking him to the temple in Shiloh to be raised by the priest Eli. Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1-2 highlights themes of faith, prayer, and dedication to God.

 

1 Samuel 1:12-17                                       New King James Version

12   And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 

• Eli the old priest

13   Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, Eli thought she was drunk. 

• Eli, saw Hannah’s lips moving and supposed her to be drunk. But as soon as she had explained her actions, he perceived her seriousness, blessed her, and sent her on her way in peace. Hannah was concerned about her physical barrenness. We should mourn our spiritual barrenness.

14   So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”

15   But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 

16   Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”

17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”

• God granted her prayer gave her a son she named Samuel.

1 Samuel 1:24-28                                        New King James Version

24   Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. 

25   Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 

26   And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 

27   For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 

28   Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.

• When Hannah’s prayer was answered, she named her baby Samuel (heard of God or "Name of God."), because he was from the LORD. When Samuel was weaned, she took him … to the house of the LORD and lent him to the LORD in a once-for-all act of dedication. From the outset the boy assisted the priests and ministered before the Lord. The last phrase in verse 28 includes Samuel: He was a worshipper, although very young, because his life was devoted to the service of the LORD.

Please don’t drop off your kids and ask me to raise them. But is the same way Hanna trusted God, we are going to do the same and trusting God for the spiritual growth of our children. We are making a commitment with God to do our best to raise our children under the presents of God.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7                                       New King James Version

6    “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 

7   You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Psalm 127:3                                                 New King James Version

3   Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,                                                     The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Proverbs 22:6                                                 New King James Version

6   Train up a child in the way he should go,                                                              And when he is old he will not depart from it.

• Of course we have the story of Simeon getting to see the Salvation of the World in Baby Jesus.

 

Simeon was one of the godly remnants of Jews who was waiting for the coming of the Messiah. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Christ or Anointed One. 

 

 

Luke 2:29-35                                              New King James Version

29   “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,                         According to Your word;

30   For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31   Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32   A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,                                                         And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33   And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 

34   Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 

35   (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

• After this initial outburst of praise to God for the Messiah, Simeon blessed the parents, then spoke prophetically to Mary. The prophecy consisted of four parts:

1. This Child was destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel. Those who were arrogant, unrepentant, and unbelieving would fall and be punished. Those who humbled themselves, repented of their sins, and received the Lord Jesus would rise and be blessed.
2. The Child was destined … for a sign which will be spoken against. There was a special significance connected with the Person of Christ. His very presence on earth proved a tremendous rebuke to sin and unholiness and thus brought out the bitter animosity of the human heart.
3. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also. Simeon was here predicting the grief which would flood Mary’s heart when she would witness the crucifixion of her Son (John 19:25).
4. … that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. The way in which a person reacts to the Savior is a test of his inward motives and affections.