WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.859 If I haven't said good morning to you yet, good morning. 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:06.940 Please take your copy of God's Word and join me in Matthew chapter 16. 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:14.240 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:51.120 As our church is growing and as our elders have suggested to the church a change in the way we gather, the details of which I will labor to inform you of via Slack if you weren't at last week's members' meeting, we think it's important for us to think biblically about the ordinances of the church. 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:59.359 The word ordinance comes from the Latin ordinare, which means to put in order. 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:10.019 God gave to the church two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, also often called communion. 00:01:11.019 --> 00:01:16.620 But what are these two ordinances putting in order? 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:24.120 Aren't they merely some religious experience that we add on to our faith? 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:28.240 No, in fact, they put something in order. 00:01:29.100 --> 00:01:36.340 So let me ask you to join me in Matthew chapter 16 beginning in verse 13 and we'll consider what that is. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:43.900 Here we read Matthew 16 verse 13 and following. 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:53.960 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, who do people say the Son of Man is? 00:01:54.780 --> 00:02:00.260 And they said, some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:04.620 He said to them, but who do you say that I am? 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:07.280 Simon Peter replied. 00:02:08.540 --> 00:02:11.439 The evidence that this is of the Lord is that he got something right. 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:16.560 He says, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:02:17.359 --> 00:02:25.479 And Jesus answered him, blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:28.599 And I tell you, you are Peter. 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:37.439 And on this rock, and it's not the point of today, but let me tell you that the rock he's referring to is himself and the truth concerning himself. 00:02:37.439 --> 00:02:45.800 On this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:49.939 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:56.579 Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 00:02:56.580 --> 00:02:57.080 Right? 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:07.000 So, following this great declaration, right, you are the Christ, this truth about who Jesus is and all that he would accomplish for us people. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:09.240 He says he's going to build his church. 00:03:09.380 --> 00:03:11.160 The gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:03:11.160 --> 00:03:11.960 It is a sure thing. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:13.840 The church will be built. 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:16.080 And then he says, I will give you. 00:03:16.420 --> 00:03:18.380 I believe he's referring to the church. 00:03:18.700 --> 00:03:20.780 The keys of the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:27.860 Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:40.960 And this text, there's so much to unpack from it, but it begs the question, what are the keys of the kingdom of heaven that do this binding and loosing work? 00:03:41.060 --> 00:03:42.740 What is he talking about? 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:47.460 And what is the binding and the loosing? 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:50.800 Well, we are not left without an answer. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:52.640 We just have to read on. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:54.939 So, turn over to Matthew chapter 18. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:07.920 Beginning in verse 15, here we find our classic church discipline text. 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:15.439 There's a process by which Jesus tells us to see somebody repent or out of the life of the church. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:17.740 And it's a four-step process. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:19.719 So, follow along with me. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:21.519 And you'll see why it matters. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:23.500 Verse 15 and following. 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:28.819 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:30.240 Step one. 00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:34.199 If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:36.699 If he repents, praise God. 00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:38.300 Verse 16. 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:41.040 But if he does not listen, step two. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:48.120 Take one or two others along with you that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 00:04:49.400 --> 00:04:51.900 Here we hope for repentance, right? 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:53.780 A listening to. 00:04:54.960 --> 00:04:57.240 But verse 17 gives us a third step. 00:04:57.240 --> 00:05:02.460 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:10.739 And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:11.259 Right? 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:13.399 So, the church is a collected witness. 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:14.839 A local church. 00:05:15.159 --> 00:05:19.500 Ones that could actually sit and hear this charge being brought. 00:05:19.719 --> 00:05:23.240 And the church itself says, this is sinful. 00:05:23.359 --> 00:05:24.839 This thing that you are doing. 00:05:24.919 --> 00:05:28.779 And he is still unwilling to repent. 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:33.119 He is to be as a Gentile and a tax collector. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:38.239 An outsider to God's people from Jesus' time. 00:05:39.179 --> 00:05:41.779 Then he says, here's the key. 00:05:42.359 --> 00:05:46.879 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:52.099 And whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:59.280 Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 00:05:59.400 --> 00:06:05.740 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. 00:06:06.080 --> 00:06:06.280 Right? 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.720 Not just a tripe we tack on to a prayer. 00:06:08.820 --> 00:06:14.520 He's talking about the careful, weighty process of discipline. 00:06:14.960 --> 00:06:15.040 Right? 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:18.379 Discipling people into obedience with Christ. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:26.019 And if they are unwilling, they show themselves to not be Christians and should be put out of the church. 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:33.699 So what are the keys of the kingdom of heaven that do this binding and loosing work? 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:42.479 It is the authority of the church expressed in the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:50.399 Now, this is a point which I will develop further next week when we talk about, you guessed it, the Lord's Supper. 00:06:50.719 --> 00:06:56.919 I'm going to spend a little bit more time on that, of them being ordinances of the church. 00:06:56.920 --> 00:07:01.480 But we're going to think about that some today as we think about the ordinance of baptism. 00:07:02.520 --> 00:07:05.080 So what is this binding and loosing? 00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:11.000 It is marking off who is part of the church and who isn't part of the church. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:15.060 Now, beloved, this is a weighty matter. 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:20.480 It is to be handled under the authority of our great God who gave us a book to govern us. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:28.959 And it is to be handled with great care for the good of people and the purity of the church to the glory of Christ. 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:31.540 This is not a light thing. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:36.340 Unfortunately, it has been handled lightly in the American church. 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:42.560 The last decades have wreaked havoc around these ordinances. 00:07:43.299 --> 00:07:46.560 Things like spontaneous baptism. 00:07:47.299 --> 00:07:51.339 I stand wholeheartedly against where somebody raises their hand and gets dunked. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.379 May it never be. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:56.659 This matters greatly. 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:03.199 Rightly administering ordinances is a primary work of the church. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:09.639 It's how we declare as we baptize somebody that their profession of faith is credible. 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:13.959 Yes, we believe this individual is in fact a Christian. 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:16.959 This declaration they're making is true. 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:21.439 By the Lord's Supper, it's how we keep people in the church. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:25.199 We believe their profession is still true. 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:31.860 Rightly administering ordinances is a primary work of the church. 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:39.300 And as congregationalists, we, all of us, better be sure that we get this right. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:44.840 Today we're going to consider, as I said, the ordinance of baptism. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:47.680 And we will do so from various texts. 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:50.440 And I'm going to encourage you to join me in those texts. 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:51.879 So I won't ask you to turn. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:52.820 Just get your fingers ready. 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:54.279 Do some flipping. 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:55.320 I want you to see it. 00:08:55.320 --> 00:09:02.540 But before we do, first I would like to read to you from the 1689 London Baptist Confession. 00:09:03.400 --> 00:09:07.800 The 1689 Confession, also known as the Second London Baptist Confession, 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:11.520 is possibly the finest of all the Baptist confessions. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:16.920 It has been widely adhered to by all of the founders of the Southern Baptist Convention, 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:23.959 either personally expressed agreement with it, or they pastored churches that did so. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:30.759 The 1689 is the very founding of the denomination that we are part of. 00:09:31.979 --> 00:09:35.059 Tragically, I doubt the same could be said of the SBC today. 00:09:35.179 --> 00:09:39.479 But it can be said of our church and of your pastors. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:47.279 An excerpt from a modern English printing of the 1689 London Baptist Confession goes as follows. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:47.659 Quote, 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:51.860 A confession is a tried and true teaching tool. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:57.480 It lays out the faith in a clear, systematic way and shows the connections among doctrines. 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:01.420 It also serves as a standard by which teaching in the church can be measured. 00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:07.560 An overseer must be able to give instruction in sound doctrine, Titus 1.9. 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:13.259 And a deacon must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, 1 Timothy 3.9. 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:20.479 Hearing an officer merely quote the Bible does not tell us whether he understands the overall teaching of Scripture on a subject. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:26.079 A confession gives us a tool for evaluating his understanding and teaching in summary form. 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:31.139 A confession is a restatement of the word for a particular purpose. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:36.659 In this case, to summarize the overall teaching of that word on various topics. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:46.819 To the degree that it expresses the doctrines of Scripture accurately, it is an expression of the word just as accurate preaching is said to be an expression of the word. 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:49.599 That's 2 Timothy 4.2. 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:51.839 So confessions serve us well. 00:10:52.039 --> 00:11:01.679 We have a recitation each Sunday morning, which is usually a catechism or a Heidelberg confession this morning we were working on together. 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:10.159 So this is Article 29 on baptism from the 1689 London Baptist Confession. 00:11:10.359 --> 00:11:16.299 It has four sections, which will be the four points for our sermon this morning. 00:11:16.579 --> 00:11:19.919 I don't expect you to get all these down, but you can try if you would like. 00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:25.740 So number one, this is Article or Section 1 of Article 29 on baptism. 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:33.240 Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament ordained by Jesus Christ. 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:52.500 To those baptized is a sign of their fellowship with him in his death and resurrection, of their being grafted into, united with him, of remission of sins, and of submitting themselves to God through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of life. 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:58.700 This is what this sign, this ordinance, pictures for us. 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:02.279 It's a symbol of a spiritual reality that has happened. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:09.679 If the individual declares it in being baptized, and we declare it of them in baptizing them. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:11.659 A couple of texts. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:12.460 Ready? 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:15.419 Romans chapter 6, verse 3 through 5. 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:22.719 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:33.079 We were buried, therefore, with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 00:12:33.599 --> 00:12:41.059 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:44.799 Is Paul arguing that baptism itself is salvific? 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.799 Of course not. 00:12:46.439 --> 00:12:51.759 He's not saying we are literally made dead and literally made alive in the ordinance of baptism. 00:12:52.219 --> 00:13:01.359 What he is saying is that we have spiritually been dead and are now made alive, and baptism pictures this for us. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:05.259 It puts on display the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:09.519 Another text, Colossians 2 and verse 12. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.279 There Paul writes, 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:21.159 Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God who raised him from the dead. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:21.539 Right? 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:24.539 How is it that we are buried and raised? 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:26.519 It's through faith. 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:30.139 It's a spiritual thing that has happened in the life of a Christian. 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:32.939 Galatians 3, 27. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:39.899 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:40.159 Right? 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:42.639 We are now clothed in his righteousness. 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:43.059 Right? 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:46.899 As a spiritual reality for us. 00:13:46.899 --> 00:14:04.539 Mark records for us in Mark chapter 1 and verse 4 that John the Baptist, or if you prefer the baptizer, appeared baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:13.480 Once again, the baptism itself did not forgive sins, but it was a sign of a repentant, a penitent heart. 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:21.460 In fact, baptism became so synonymous with repentance that it is used interchangeably in the scripture with this term. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:28.539 In Acts chapter 22 and verse 16, here Paul is speaking in Jerusalem and he says, 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:30.560 And now why do you wait? 00:14:31.300 --> 00:14:34.800 Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.379 Call on his name. 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:45.059 And in Ephesians chapter 4, verse 4 and following, here Paul is calling for unity in the church at Ephesus. 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.439 And here he says, 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:52.379 There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:55.519 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:59.460 I'll suggest to you, he's expressing that there's faith and repentance. 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.879 It's a single thing. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:06.800 One God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:12.280 So baptism pictures this spiritual reality, this thing that has taken place. 00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:15.420 I hope that that's not a challenge to your thinking. 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:22.960 But I hope that you're seeing that it's a significant thing that an individual does and the church does together. 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:29.519 Laying a confidence on a person that they are, in fact, in the faith. 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:33.120 Second section. 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:34.840 So point two. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:46.920 Those who personally profess repentance toward God and faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ are the only proper subjects of this ordinance. 00:15:48.300 --> 00:15:52.800 If you've missed it, so far here, we are Baptists. 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:56.000 This church is a Baptist church. 00:15:56.080 --> 00:16:03.320 Apart from our denominational affiliation, which we hold very open-handedly, in our closed fist, we are Baptists. 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.900 We are Baptists by conviction. 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:07.540 We believe it's what the scripture teaches. 00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:11.379 Specifically, we are Credo Baptists. 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:14.040 We believe in Credo Baptism. 00:16:15.160 --> 00:16:19.600 Credo prefix is from the Latin, which simply means I believe. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:23.139 Or Believer's Baptism. 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:29.639 And it could be said of a Credo Baptist that they are Believer's Baptism-only Baptists. 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:34.060 This is the only place in which we believe baptism belongs. 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:42.659 The baptism of a person, the proper subject of this ordinance, those who have expressed faith and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:45.399 A credible profession of faith. 00:16:47.719 --> 00:16:52.279 The opposite of this, maybe that's too strong of a word, maybe not the opposite, 00:16:53.279 --> 00:17:00.759 but the thing that we are pressing against as a practice in the church is what's called Paedo Baptism, or Paedo, some will say. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:04.519 I just like the way Paedo sounds better, and I've heard it pronounced that way, so I'm going to say it that way. 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:10.480 The prefix here is derived from the Greek pais, which just means child. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:15.819 So you have here child baptism or infant baptism. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:25.420 Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, many denominations that came out of the Reformation just as we did, 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:28.379 are Paedo Baptists. 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:30.240 We are not. 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:36.200 Now, it is not my intention to denigrate any practitioner of Paedo Baptism. 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:40.360 Some of the aforementioned denominations do so merely for tradition's sake. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.020 That I would condemn. 00:17:42.540 --> 00:17:47.460 But many do so out of an earnest desire to please the Lord by being faithful to his word. 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:49.060 So I just want you to hear very carefully. 00:17:50.020 --> 00:17:58.300 I think many people participate in the practice of Paedo Baptism with sincerity and desire to please the Lord and be faithful to his word. 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:04.280 I don't doubt this, but I and we are Paedo Baptists for a reason. 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:08.140 It's not primary doctrine, but it's certainly secondary. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:11.180 We as a church need to agree on this. 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:14.660 We are Paedo Baptists for a reason. 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:18.580 And so we must discuss why we are not Paedo Baptists. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:22.440 Because to be clear, all Paedo Baptists believe in believer's baptism. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:32.799 That is to say that they believe that if a person was not baptized as an infant, comes to faith in Christ as an adult, then they should be baptized. 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:40.420 We could have some debate about the mode, but they would say that somebody who was never baptized, who comes to faith, should then be baptized. 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:43.220 Which is believer's baptism. 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:47.920 Which is why I stated that we are Paedo Baptists only. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:52.900 The distinguishing factor is whether or not a child should be baptized. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:57.180 Just allow me to share with you why I think not. 00:18:57.180 --> 00:19:00.980 You know when I ask permission, I'm just trying to get your mind to think. 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:03.580 Clearly I'm the one talking right now. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:06.920 But I don't think any of you would go, no. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:10.360 But open your mind for a minute and just listen. 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:10.640 Okay. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:11.500 Reason number one. 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:17.120 Paedo Baptism confuses the sufficiency of scripture. 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:20.079 Confuses the sufficiency of scripture. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:24.539 One of the cries of the Reformation was sola scriptura. 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:24.979 Right? 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.479 The Bible alone. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.899 Not tradition. 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:28.879 The scripture. 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:31.099 What does the scripture teach? 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:31.659 Right? 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:36.279 This comes classically from a text like 2 Timothy chapter 3, verse 16 and 17. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:36.679 Right? 00:19:36.739 --> 00:19:39.500 Paul there says, all scripture breathed out by God. 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.639 He is its very source. 00:19:40.719 --> 00:19:41.439 He is its author. 00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:45.419 And it's profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:50.640 That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:58.100 Certainly the formation of and the continuation of a church is a good work. 00:19:58.180 --> 00:20:01.300 And so the Bible is sufficient for the tax. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:03.440 We don't need extra biblical literature. 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.960 Can be helpful. 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:05.420 Right? 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.160 Can help us think. 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:07.300 Can guide us to the scripture. 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.519 But we don't need it. 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:12.019 The Bible itself is sufficient. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:12.560 Right? 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:15.340 All a group of Christians needs to start a church. 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:17.440 It's God's word and his spirit. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.019 They can come together and they can study it. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.259 Right? 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:26.920 They can read this text and have it lead them in the truth for how they are to order themselves as a church. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:32.560 The regulative principle of worship was defined by John Calvin as follows. 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:40.740 God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by his word. 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:42.740 God's word and it was understood. 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:46.920 And it was understood that it needed to be sanctioned by command or example. 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:52.559 And that it needed to be deduced by good and necessary consequence. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.420 Right? 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:57.759 If it wasn't clear, it needed to be deduced by good and necessary consequence. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:00.519 An example of this would be the doctrine of the Trinity. 00:21:01.320 --> 00:21:02.960 Good and necessary consequence. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:07.779 We see it taught all over the place in the scripture. 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:13.079 And we must be able to bring to this plain reason or logic. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:26.980 If you need a seminary degree, if you need 90 plus hours of master's level education to understand how it is we're meant to baptize people, we might need to take a step back, stop and think. 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:29.419 What does the scripture say? 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:33.199 What has it clearly commanded us to do? 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:33.859 Right? 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:40.939 And I know I might be rubbing some feathers the wrong way, but I think paedo-baptism confuses the sufficiency of scripture. 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:50.000 I'm not sure you'd hand this text to somebody who had no knowledge of church history and they would arrive at the conclusion that we should baptize infants. 00:21:51.439 --> 00:21:57.399 Secondly, paedo-baptism confuses the nature of the church. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:02.319 We believe in a believer's church. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:04.679 Ephesians chapter 5, verse 25. 00:22:04.939 --> 00:22:10.639 There it says, Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:16.500 How do we know that somebody is of the church, right? 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:25.500 They make a credible profession of faith and we agree with them that they are in fact a Christian through the ordinance of baptism. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:25.960 Right? 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:31.440 We picture the gospel together and we say, yes, with the kind of frail confidence we can have. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:35.900 As far as we can tell, we believe that you are in Christ. 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:41.640 This has been dramatically confused with the baptism of children. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:48.960 We are part of a denomination that pumps child evangelism and baptism. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.320 And hear me. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.860 I love children. 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:52.460 Right? 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:54.240 We've got some kids around here. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.759 And I love every one of them. 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:59.060 We preach the gospel to our children all the time. 00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:02.220 We invite them to follow Jesus all the time. 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:14.099 I got an email one time from our denomination promoting Vacation Bible School saying that children after they turn eight are 80% less likely to respond to a gospel invitation. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:17.579 And the promotion was, so get in there and get it done. 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:23.099 You know what else kids stop believing in at the age of eight? 00:23:24.419 --> 00:23:25.179 Santa Claus. 00:23:26.699 --> 00:23:28.559 Something's flipping in their brains, right? 00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:31.240 Becoming less gullible, perhaps? 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.720 I don't know. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:40.339 But let us be careful about who we put under the water lest we give false assurance. 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:49.259 The statistics right now are as high as 80% of professing children when they go off to college renounce their faith. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.679 80%. 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:56.859 Oh, we should think carefully about how we administer the ordinances. 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:59.319 We need to be so, so careful. 00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:07.419 Interestingly, historically, the Baptist position was to have children wait until they were 18 to be baptized. 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:13.259 Our church has no official policy, and I'm not telling you that that's where we're headed as a church. 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:23.100 What I am saying is I think that historic Baptists were much, much more careful than we have been to our shame. 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:32.800 Every New Testament reference concerning the universal church or the local church is always speaking of those in the faith, 00:24:32.800 --> 00:24:36.340 whether past, present, or future. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:39.059 Baptism marks out. 00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:44.559 It's the welcoming ordinance who we believe is, in fact, a Christian. 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:48.720 And this is a serious and weighty matter. 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:54.959 So, I think, and paedo-baptism confuses the nature of the church. 00:24:55.199 --> 00:24:57.439 As paedo-baptists use language like, 00:24:57.679 --> 00:24:59.539 it's the sign of covenant promise. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:03.299 We're not saying that the child is saved, but it's a sign of covenant promise, 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:05.639 which, to my mind, says, well, then you're guaranteeing, 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:07.700 because when my God makes a promise, he keeps it. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.079 What do we do with that language? 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:14.859 I find it confusing, and I have read far and wide, 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:16.639 and I have talked to many paedo-baptists, 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.859 and I always leave confused. 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:21.619 I always leave confused about exactly what they believe to be true 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:24.059 about the nature of the church. 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:27.960 And so, I would suggest we just avoid it altogether. 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:35.460 Thirdly, paedo-baptism confuses the meaning of believer's baptism. 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:40.460 And we have expressed already that the proper person to receive baptism 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:44.079 is those who have professed faith in Christ. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:47.579 And there's a bunch of texts that we see this occurring in. 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:53.899 The argument is often that none of these people could have parents who believed in Christ, 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:57.199 and therefore, this nullifies the argument altogether. 00:25:57.399 --> 00:26:01.619 But I think that the scripture is inspired, that the structure is important, 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.319 and so we should be careful at this point. 00:26:03.439 --> 00:26:04.460 Mark 16, 16. 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:08.159 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.720 but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.159 Believes and is baptized. 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.879 Acts 22, verse 41. 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:19.620 So those who received his word, received his word, believed, were baptized. 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:23.160 And there were out of that day about 3,000 souls. 00:26:24.060 --> 00:26:24.840 Acts 8, 12. 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:28.840 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God 00:26:28.840 --> 00:26:31.720 and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized. 00:26:32.260 --> 00:26:33.780 Both men and women. 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:35.820 Again, belief that precedes the baptism. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.400 Acts 18, 8. 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:40.800 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:43.540 Believed, he believed, with his household. 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:46.980 And many of the Corinthians heard Paul and they were baptized. 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.220 They believed and were baptized. 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:54.880 Now, again, we see this pattern over and over and over again in the New Testament text. 00:26:55.060 --> 00:26:59.620 So what then are we saying is true of children who are being baptized, 00:26:59.760 --> 00:27:02.220 that they will have a future belief? 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.640 It's confusing. 00:27:03.820 --> 00:27:05.660 I'm just not sure. 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:09.759 I also want you to note an argument from silence, 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:15.060 which I will caution you to not make many arguments from silence. 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:17.440 I'm going to caution you not to do the thing that I'm about to do. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:20.519 But I think in this case, it's really telling. 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:22.980 So turn with me to Acts chapter 15. 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:26.440 If you haven't already been flipping, which I haven't heard a lot of flipping, 00:27:26.540 --> 00:27:28.340 but if you haven't and you would like to, 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:30.039 I would invite you to join me in Acts 15. 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.220 Thank you. 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.179 Thank you. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:50.200 Beginning in verse 1. 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:55.120 It's often known as the Jerusalem Council. 00:27:56.380 --> 00:28:00.240 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:06.519 unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:11.220 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:14.900 Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:17.700 to the apostles and the elders about this question. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:21.100 So being sent on their way by the church, 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:23.080 they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:26.259 describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.960 and brought great joy to all the brothers. 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:30.400 When they came to Jerusalem, 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:33.059 they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:35.539 and they declared all that God had done with them. 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:38.880 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.920 rose up and said, 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:45.480 it is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:51.620 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:54.660 So there's a question that's repeated twice. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:58.360 Paul and Barnabas have been in debate with these men already 00:28:58.360 --> 00:29:02.700 about whether or not you must be circumcised in order to be saved. 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.360 That's what the question is at hand. 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:06.880 Not only is it happening in the place they were, 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:09.380 it also happens in Jerusalem as well. 00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:12.160 And a council is convened, right? 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:15.800 There's a question and there is a council. 00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.860 And if you read further, 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:23.680 this council determines that it is not necessary for a Gentile to be circumcised 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:26.240 in order to be saved. 00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:30.900 But they do determine to instruct the Gentile believers, right? 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.920 There is a response. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.920 They just don't say, nope, that's not true. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:38.360 But they do write a letter and they send a letter. 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:40.340 And there they instruct them. 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:42.100 This is verse 20 of Acts 15. 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:47.160 To abstain from the things polluted by idols and from sexual immorality 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:51.160 and from what has been strangled and from blood. 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:51.980 Right? 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:54.500 We're not going to get into all of those things this morning 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.940 because the point I'm trying to make to you, 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:59.940 we are not arguing that a person needs to be baptized to be saved. 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.900 But why? 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:05.519 At this crucial juncture in the life of the New Testament church, 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:10.620 the church is now expanding out to Gentile peoples. 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:14.759 Circumcision now, work of the law, no longer necessary, 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.640 not a thing that should be done. 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:20.640 This important question has been raised about the nature of circumcision. 00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:24.180 A council has been called, a letter written and dispersed. 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:29.220 Do they mention nothing of baptism's correlation with circumcision? 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:32.200 They say nothing about it. 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:33.380 Right? 00:30:33.620 --> 00:30:36.080 I think, had they brought it up, 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:39.779 Luke would have very carefully jotted down everything they had to say 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.620 about the connection between the two 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:45.080 and the way in which this letter would have been crafted carefully 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:48.019 to explain why it mattered so much. 00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:51.059 All of the trees that have been felled writing books 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.680 about why paedo-baptism is biblical 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:55.000 would have had to be written at this time 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.619 so that the church would understand 00:30:56.619 --> 00:31:00.000 the change of this sign of the covenant. 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:04.619 Could it be instead that it was so simple 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:08.039 and that people were believing in being baptized 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:11.000 as a sign of repentance by the church 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:13.599 and so they had no need to draw a connection 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:15.440 between the two? 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:18.080 I think so. 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.180 I think so. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:25.180 So, paedo-baptism confuses the meaning of believer's baptism. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.000 Okay. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.980 We're back to our statement of faith. 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.720 Thirdly, and these go really fast. 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:35.720 The third section, Article 29, 1689 Confession, 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:39.960 the outward element to be used in this ordinance is water 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:42.319 in which the individual is to be baptized 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:44.700 in the name of the Father and of the Son 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:46.420 and of the Holy Spirit. 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:49.640 You see many examples in the Bible concerning water. 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:51.539 This is where baptism is happening. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.819 Acts chapter 8 and verse 38. 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:56.720 And he commanded the chariot to stop 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:58.640 and they both went down into the water, 00:31:58.640 --> 00:32:00.819 Philip and the eunuch, 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:02.400 and he baptized him. 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:05.319 Go down into the water. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:08.160 And, of course, the rest of that is deriving the language 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:09.600 from Matthew chapter 28, 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:11.079 the Great Commission, 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:14.339 where we're commanded as disciples to go, 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:16.759 as churches, baptizing people, 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.600 converted people, 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:19.620 in the name of the Father and of the Son 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.980 and of the Holy Spirit, 00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:23.220 Trinitarian baptism. 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:24.079 Okay. 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:25.819 So the outward element to be used in this ordinance 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:27.559 is water. 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:30.039 Fourth section, 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:34.559 immersion or dipping of the person in water 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.359 is necessary for this ordinance 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:38.339 to be administered properly. 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:41.379 Now, the Greek word that's used to baptize, 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.559 baptizo, means, 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:45.659 you're going to like it both in biblical language 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:47.480 and in extra-biblical literature, 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.019 to dunk, 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:51.519 to dunk repeatedly, 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.440 or 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.740 to drown. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:59.099 I have yet to see somebody drown 00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:01.759 from water being sprinkled upon them. 00:33:03.120 --> 00:33:04.259 Now, I want you to know, too, 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:04.839 I guess, 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:06.319 I'm less concerned about mode. 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.339 I do think it's important, 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.740 but I'm less concerned about it 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.920 than I am about timing, 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:11.099 the timeline of it. 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.779 But all the same, 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:14.019 it's proper. 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:15.859 If it's a picture we're given, 00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:17.920 it's supposed to help us see something, 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.539 then I believe the way we do it 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.400 matters. 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:22.460 So Matthew chapter 3, 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:24.180 verse 16, 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.259 records for us that 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.800 when Jesus was baptized, 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.800 immediately he went 00:33:27.800 --> 00:33:30.120 up from the water. 00:33:30.280 --> 00:33:31.980 He went down into the water 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:33.180 and he comes up 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:34.720 from the water. 00:33:34.800 --> 00:33:37.220 Like, our Lord displays for us 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:38.660 the mode of baptism 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:40.640 in the only reasonable way. 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:42.900 A person looks dead, 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.820 having been buried, 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:45.440 and then raises again 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:47.180 to life. 00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:48.240 And it's in that text 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.400 that we see the heavens open 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.500 and the Spirit of God 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:52.140 descending like a dove 00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:53.340 and resting on him 00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:53.740 and saying, 00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.420 well done, 00:33:55.280 --> 00:33:56.680 my good and faithful servant. 00:33:56.780 --> 00:33:57.740 Oh, you're my beloved son, 00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:58.720 and you I am well pleased. 00:33:59.540 --> 00:34:00.180 Acts chapter 8, 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:00.880 verse 36. 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:03.540 This is the precursor 00:34:03.540 --> 00:34:05.019 to the verse that I read 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.740 with the eunuch. 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:07.680 As they're going along the road, 00:34:07.780 --> 00:34:09.079 Philip has been evangelizing. 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.480 They're going along the road. 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.420 They came to some water, 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.760 and the eunuch said, 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.400 see, 00:34:14.680 --> 00:34:15.800 here is water. 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:18.019 He is traveling back 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:19.480 to Ethiopia from Jerusalem. 00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:21.080 He would have had water 00:34:21.080 --> 00:34:22.480 with him in his chariot. 00:34:23.080 --> 00:34:23.660 He would not have been 00:34:23.660 --> 00:34:24.440 without water 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:26.460 on a journey across the desert. 00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:27.320 But he says, 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:27.780 see, 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.980 here is water. 00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:30.620 What prevents me 00:34:30.620 --> 00:34:32.160 from being baptized? 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:34.380 And in this case, 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.039 right, 00:34:35.600 --> 00:34:36.180 Philip would say, 00:34:36.240 --> 00:34:36.519 nothing, 00:34:36.640 --> 00:34:37.560 you're the only convert 00:34:37.560 --> 00:34:38.620 going back to Ethiopia. 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:39.580 We better baptize you 00:34:39.580 --> 00:34:40.500 so that you can go back 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.500 and baptize others. 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:44.639 If the eunuch was here 00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.659 in Dahlonega, 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:47.260 and we were down by the river, 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:47.599 I'd say, 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.039 well, 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.619 we need to go meet 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.179 with the church. 00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:51.320 That's what's preventing you. 00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.460 But in this case, 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:54.639 he's this odd man 00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:55.639 headed back 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.699 as the only convert 00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:58.239 to a place 00:34:58.239 --> 00:34:58.960 where we understand 00:34:58.960 --> 00:34:59.539 from history 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.800 a church was established 00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:02.199 there in Ethiopia 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.139 in the first century. 00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:05.420 John chapter 3, 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.079 verse 23. 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.239 Again, 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:07.559 John, 00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.460 the baptizer, 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.619 also was baptizing 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:11.000 at Anon near Salim 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.900 because water 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:15.099 was plentiful there 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.539 and people were coming 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:19.079 and they were being baptized. 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.460 So, 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:25.539 we baptize by immersion. 00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:28.539 Not just as some religious act, 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:29.139 some right, 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.599 some thing that we go to, 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:31.900 but because it's an authority 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.619 that's been given 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:34.099 to the church. 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:34.840 It's an opportunity 00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:35.559 for an individual 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.159 to proclaim 00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:37.240 that they place faith in Christ. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.039 It's an opportunity 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.759 for the church to say, 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.019 yes, 00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:41.659 we believe this is true. 00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:43.779 Baptism should accompany 00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:45.259 membership in the church. 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:47.619 We want those within 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:49.500 and those outside the church 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:50.980 to see a clear picture 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.759 of the gospel 00:35:51.759 --> 00:35:53.759 of Jesus Christ. 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:55.679 We believe 00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:57.159 that the scripture teaches this 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:59.739 and it does so reasonably. 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.420 And this is why 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.800 we do what we do 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:04.000 and it's why we do 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.340 what we do 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:05.199 in the way we do 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.380 what we do. 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.420 to the praise 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:08.539 of Christ. 00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.559 Let's pray.