I. Marriage is a simple step that will change your life.

A. It’s a public declaration that you have committed your life to another person. This is the reason they are called vows.

B. Marriage is supposed to be a sign of a relationship. In marriage it is the closest there is — "These two shall be one flesh."

C. The length of the ceremony has nothing to do with it.

II. Baptism is a simple step that can change your life.

A. It is a public declaration that you have committed your life to Christ.

1. Isaiah 54:4, 5

2. By what process does a person take His name, as in a wedding ceremony? Galatians 3:27.

3. Today, there are many different types of baptism. The Scripture says there is only one.

a. Some of the different types of baptism today are:

[1] Triune immersion
[2] Sprinkling
[3] Affusion
[4] Baptism by phone
[5] Baptism by mail
[6] Holy Spirit Only
[7] Waterless Baptism
[8] Immersion
[9] By desire
[10] Laying on of hands
[11] Few drops oil
[11] pinch of salt

b. Ephesians 4:4, 5

B. Christ’s example in baptism.

1. Mark 1:9-11

a. Went down into the water. Came up out of the water.

b. The word baptism is a Greek word "baptizo", which literally means to "submerge" or "dip".

c. If not immersed, not baptized.

2. The place where John the Baptist baptized gives us a clue about what baptism required. John 3:23.

3. Did the disciples follow Christ’s example of baptism? Acts 8:35-39

4. If the disciples or apostles had wanted to change the ceremony of baptism, what would have happened? Galatians 1:8, 9

C. When did the change in baptism come about and for what reason.

1. For centuries after Jesus’ death, baptism was practiced by immersion.

a. Leaning Tower of Pisa.

b. Old churches had baptistries. One in Italy, has a baptistry fourteen feet in diameter.

c. Council of Ravenia voted to change the rite of baptism.

2. Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." — John 3:5.

a. If a child should die without being baptized, would he be lost?

b. Matthew 3:15.

c. Jesus was baptized for those who never had the opportunity.

d. A child’s salvation is secure in the arms of Jesus, then when he reaches the age of accountability — the decision must be the child’s.

3. Some believed that the receiving of the Holy Spirit transcended the need for baptism by water. Acts 10:44-48.

4. Should a person be rebaptized? [Example of rebaptism. Acts 19:1-5].

5. Reasons people should be rebaptized:

a. Has not been baptized as the Scripture teaches.

b. Baptized as a baby.

c. Did not know what they were doing when first baptized.

d. Have left the Lord and are coming back to Him.

D. When should a person be baptized?

1. They need to be taught. Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41

2. They need to believe. Mark 16:16

3. They need to repent. Acts 2:38

4. They need to be converted. Acts 3:19

III. The meaning of baptism.

A. Baptism symbolizes three of the most glorious events in history.

1. Death of Jesus Christ. Romans 6:3

2. His burial. Romans 6:4

3. His resurrection. Romans 6:5

B. Our sins are remembered no more.

1. Cast into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19

2. Casts our sins behind His back. Isaiah 38:17

3. He removes our sins far away. Psalm 103:12

C. Don’t delay — be baptized.

1. Pharisees rejected baptism. Luke 7:29-32

2. Paul was baptized only three days after his conversion. Acts 22:16.

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