Why are Christians Baptized and Join a Church?

1.  He commands us to be baptized.

  1. Baptism is a response of obedience to Jesus as Lord [Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-41].
  2. Baptism is following the example of Jesus [Matt. 3:13-17].
  3. Baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus [Acts 2:41; 8:35-38; 16:23-24].
  4. Baptism expresses our desire to follow Jesus [Romans 6:4].
  5. Baptism symbolizes certain truths:
    The life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus [I Cor. 15:1-4].
    The believer’s new life in Christ [Romans 6:1-4].
    The believers future resurrection [Ephesians 1:13-14; Rom. 6:5].
  6. Baptism is the gateway into the local church. It is a church ordinance [Acts 2:41, 42, 47].
  7. Baptism is something the believer wants to do [Acts 2:41a].

2. He commands us to join a local New Testament church.

  1. The church is Christ’s body on earth [Matt. 16:18; Romans 12:5].
  2. The members are commanded to assemble for public praise, prayer, and preaching for the encouragement and edification of the saints [Heb 10:25].
  3. The members are to submit and follow the spiritual leaders [Heb. 13:7, 17; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-4].
  4. The members need preaching and teaching to assist them in spiritual growth [2 Peter 3:18].
  5. The members need to discover, develop, and use their spiritual gifts for the rest of the body [I Cor. 12:12-26; Rom. 12:4-8; Eph. 4:11-12; I Peter 4:10].
  6. The members need to follow the example of Jesus [Luke 4:16].
  7. The New Testament was written to local churches who gathered together on the Lord’s Day [I Cor. 16:2].
  8. Believers are joined with Christ and each other [I Cor. 12:12-27].
  9. The early church kept a list of widows and members [I Tim. 5:9].
  10. The early church knew who was in their number [Acts 2:41b].
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