Talk

The Meaning of Baptism

Ben Stuart
November 20, 2022

Ben Stuart shares the powerful meaning behind baptism on this special Baptism Sunday.

Key Takeaway

Baptism is a symbol of the transformation that takes place after conversion.

What is baptism?

  1. A symbol of what needs to be buried in the past.

  2. A picture of transformation—that the old is gone and buried.

  3. Acknowledging that we are sinful but that God made a way of rescue.

  4. The water does not change us. It's the clean conscience as we recognize Him and what He did.

  5. Declaring that we have a new community with us. We are clothed with Christ and joined a family forged by God.

  6. A command for believers to proclaim their conversion. Faith in Jesus Christ saves you, but this is a declaration of that association.

“
"I'm not denying what I was, but I'm glorifying Him because of what He's making me, and my new life is going to show you the transformation."
”
Ben Stuart

Discussion Questions

  1. How have you understood baptism in the past?
  2. How do you wrestle with baptism being a command but not a necessary part of conversion itself?
  3. Would you encourage those around you who have experienced the transformation of Jesus to get baptized?

Scripture References

47“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
13For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
20to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Ben Stuart
Ben Stuart
Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.