WHY WATER BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT
We hope today’s message was encouraging and helpful. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a Bible/sermon group study. Enjoy!
Scriptures: Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 16:25-34; Romans 6:1-8; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:9-14; 1 Corinthians 12:13; and 2 Corinthians 5:15
Notes:
I want to teach the importance of water baptism; today, we have 33 people signed up for baptism. In the past two years, there has been an awakening on college and university campuses around the nation. God is moving among the young, and they are responding. Thousands of students are getting baptized, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, and more.
According to Barna’s latest data, 66 percent of all U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today. That marks a 12-percentage-point increase since 2021, when commitment levels reached their lowest in more than three decades of Barna tracking
This shift is not only statistically significant—it may be the clearest indication of meaningful spiritual renewal in the United States. Commitment to Jesus was lowest in 2021 and 2022, when it bottomed out at 54 percent. Since then, the research shows a steady, year-over-year increase in the key indicator.
Among the biggest drivers of the Jesus resurgence are younger generations—particularly Gen Z and Millennials. This is a significant change from previous Barna tracking, which showed Elders and Boomers as more committed Christians than younger generations.
Demographically, the biggest drivers of this spiritual resurgence are younger generations—particularly Gen Z and Millennials. Among Gen Z men, commitment to Jesus jumped 22 percentage points between 2021 and 2025. Millennial men saw a similar spike of 18 percentage points. While women also showed growth, it was more modest (around 8–13 percentage points).
Notably, the largest increases are coming from people outside the Church. Among those who do not attend church or who have distanced themselves from religious identity, the personal connection to Jesus is increasing. Non-Christians saw a 10-percentage point increase in commitment, while practicing Christians remained flat.
This dramatic rise suggests a renewed spiritual interest in Jesus himself. While church attendance and formal religious affiliation have declined or plateaued in recent years, Jesus remains relevant to many—perhaps more than ever.https://www.barna.com/trends/jesus-commitment/
https://www.barna.com/research/belief-in-jesus-rises/
The Baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3:13-17
In our scripture, we see Jesus embracing the journey and participating in one of two ordinances He would later command the church to practice (the other is communion).
Side note: I love this scripture because we get to see the Trinity all in one moment.
If a Christian means to be Christ-like, then we should follow in Christ’s footsteps and be water baptized, too.
The Command to Baptize - Matthew 28:18-20
After Jesus died and rose again, before ascending into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God, Jesus commanded the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We see in this scripture that water baptism is part of the disciple-making process…one of the steps in reaching unbelievers with the gospel and then baptizing them to publicly identify as a follower of Christ.
Water Baptism Follows Salvation in Christ - Acts 16:25-34
We are not saved by water baptism. We are saved by faith, belief in what Christ has done for us.
Water Baptism is for believers in Christ. It is after professing faith in Christ that one would then be baptized.
Water Baptism is not how one is saved. Greg Laurie, Pastor of Harvest church said it well, Water baptism is not an act of salvation, but an act of obedience.
But why do we water baptize, and what is the spiritual significance of this physical experience?
The Spiritual Implications of Water Baptism - Romans 6:1-8
Water baptism is a physical demonstration of a spiritual and inward transformation.
You are saved by faith in Christ, but water baptism is a physical demonstration that symbolizes the washing away of sin, though it's important to note that it's not the water itself that cleanses, but rather God's forgiveness through Christ's blood. The water applied in baptism is the outward and visible sign of the inward “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21).
Water Baptism identifies the believer as united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
I love communion and water baptism because it’s two tangible ordinances or sacraments given to the church. We physically participate in something Jesus did and commanded us to do. Of course, we can do a lot of things physically that Jesus did, like evangelism. But water baptism sticks out to me because you are called to physically and publicly surrender yourself to the process of going under water… a process that makes a clear statement…I am a follower of Christ.
V. 6-7: We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
In death and burial means we agree that our old life and way of thinking was sinful and was crucified and died with Christ. This means there’s an end to the dominion of sin and your old life. View water baptism as a death blow, a serious reckoning of your old life.
Death has a finality to it, and we certainly want the control of sin to die in our lives. The only thing that should be resurrected is the new you that is saved and sanctified, set apart as holy in Christ. There needs to be an end to our old life at salvation and baptism. We shouldn’t run back to our old lives and try living them again. Baptism is where we leave the old life behind for good.
In baptism, we die with Christ, our old sinful nature, no longer alive and able to easily entangle us anymore. The old me crucified and in the grave, and through Christ we receive new life.
Water Baptism identifies our Resurrection and New Life in Christ
V. 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Colossians 2:12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
As we go into the water and are fully immersed, we share in the death and burial of Christ. But as we come out of the water, we share the resurrected and new life in Christ!
Those of us who have believed in Christ for salvation and those who have been water baptized…How's our hearts, how's our living, and how are we using them? We should think, live, and love differently than the way we did before Christ.
Your new life in Christ means a life influenced by the presence, power, and purpose of Christ. What I mean is our lives should be marked and look like the peace, the joy, the love, and the humility of Christ. Our identity, way of living, and purpose should be motivated and resemble the life of Christ. We should behave like Christ and be concerned with matters Christ was concerned with…God, others, and kingdom work. We should be influencers of Christ in culture more than being influenced and hindered by culture. No longer I who live, but Christ in me!!
Water Baptism is giving your whole self completely to God.
Romans 6:9-14
Physically, we give ourselves to complete immersion in the water to show we are serious about this.
Be dead to sin but alive to God. To be dead to sin is to be unresponsive to sin. To be alive to God is to be receptive to God and His desires. Presenting your whole life to the will and work of God in and through your life will help you remain dead to your old life. Physically, we give our whole lives and hearts to be instruments of Godliness instead of giving our lives to be instruments of worldliness. You should have an appetite for what is Godly now that you are no longer slaves to your sinful flesh. This new appetite for Godliness and His will is what you give yourself to wholeheartedly. A healthy preoccupation and a fulfilled heart, rather than an empty void.
Water Baptism is identifying yourself with the family of God
1 Corinthians 12:13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
You're not alone. You belong and are surrounded by the family of God.
Water Baptism Is A Next Step, Not The Final Step
2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Surround yourself with other followers of Christ here at church.
Be faithful to attend church.
Be faithful to reading the Bible. Start in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and then Acts.
Pray, talk to God. You can talk to Him all day.
Give your heart and mind to Godly things, and give your life to do Godly things.
Say no to your old ways of thinking and living, and keep putting on the new creation in Christ that you are.
Discussion:
What is one thing from the message that resonated with you?
In your own words, how would you describe the significance of water baptism?
Why is water baptism not how one is saved, even though it’s immediately following your salvation journey?
Do you remember when you were water baptized…how did this step impact your walk and faith at that time?
Reflecting on Romans 6:1-8, what does it mean to be “crucified with Christ,” and why is that important?
Why is it important to stay plugged into the church and the spiritual disciplines (Bible reading, prayer, etc.) after baptism?
What additional notes did you make during the sermon?
What can we pray for regarding the sermon? Do you have any prayer needs?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!