by Bret Capranica | May 11, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Taking a few mid-week minutes to think about how to enhance our fellowship with each other. Sunday’s Sermon, What Makes a Church? Baptism – Romans 6:3-5 Resources you may find helpful in thinking through baptism and children: Guidelines for Godly Parenting, Grace Community Church Evangelizing Children, Grace Community Church Look at pages 82-85 in Covenant Life Church’s New Member’s Material, Starting Point. Here you will find a section entitled, “The Sacraments-Questions and Answers for Parents” Why Wait for Baptism, Bethlehem Baptist Church Two Views on Childhood Participation in Church Ordinances, Bethlehem Baptist Church & Sojourn Community Church The Baptism of Children at CHBC, Capitol Hill Baptist Church Children and Baptism, Mark Dever (audio) Children and Baptism, Mark Dever – Q&A (audio) Resources from Children Desiring God Believer’s Baptism, Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright – excellent book on the biblical basis for...
by Bret Capranica | May 5, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Our sermon this Sunday will be on the subject of baptism as a defining marker of what makes a church. As you prepare for Sunday consider the following: Carefully Think Read through Romans 6:1-11. What is the main theme of this section? How do you know? Read through Romans 6:3-5. What do these verses emphasize in relation to the main idea of 6:1-11? Why does Paul use the word “baptize” in relation to our salvation? Does he have in mind water baptism? Spirit baptism? Some combination? How can you tell? In your understanding, what is the purpose for water baptism? Read through Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:37-41. What relationship does baptism have to conversion? Prayerfully Meditate Have you been baptized? If so, When? Where? Why? If not, why not? Who should be baptized according to the verses you have read above? Conversely, from what you learn from the verses above, who should not be baptized and why? How important is baptism to the Christian life? Remember what you have read in relation to baptism and how it fits with Romans 6:1-11. Consider what Matthew 28:18-20 suggests. Actively Respond If you are a Christian and show the evidence of internal regeneration, but you have not been baptized, why not? Is this a biblical reason? Why would you delay openly professing your faith. Schedule a time to talk with one of the elders about this. What about children who profess faith? According to Romans 6:3-5 what is true about a person”™s soul and what is baptism depicting. Do you see specific evidence of such a radical regeneration...
