INTRODUCTION:

There is a story circulating in Detroit about the early days of Henry Ford and Ford Motor Company. It concerns a machinist with Ford Motor Company who had borrowed, over a period of years, tools and other automobile parts. Although it was against company policy, everybody did it, and management did nothing about it.

One day, however, the machinist was converted. He was baptized and became a believer who took his baptism seriously. The day after his baptism, he gathered up all the tools he had collected over the years, loaded them into his pickup, took them to the plant and presented them to the foreman with his confession and request for forgiveness.

The foreman was so overcome by his honesty that he cabled Henry Ford himself, who was visiting a European plant. After explaining the entire event in detail, Ford immediately cabled back this response: Dam up the Detroit River, he said, and baptize the entire plant.

1. Humourous, yes
2. The man has come to know what it means to be free.
3. Before his conversion he was in bondage.
1. In bondage and he didn't even know it.
2. In bondage because he stole tools and automobile parts.
4. He is converted
1. He is baptized
2. He confesses his sin and is baptized and is now free.
3. He is now deeply aware of the guilt created by his thefts.
4. He wants to make amends.

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1. What is the role of Baptism in the machinist's experiences.
1. It is important for us to understand the purpose of Baptism.
2. It is important for us to know the meaning of baptism.

MAIN BODY:

1. It is important for us to understand the purpose and meaning of baptism.
1. Some believe that baptism cleanses from original sin.
1. Original sin is the doctrine that each human individual is guilty of Adam's sin.
2. We are not guilty of Adam's sin.
3. We have enough guilt of our own.
2. Some believe that baptism is a means to grace.
1. It is called the Sacrament of Baptism.
2. A Sacrament is the divine conduit through which grace is acquired.
1. The Eucharist, The Lord's Supper or Communion is another means to acquire grace.
2. The Grace of God is available at all times and in all places.
2. What is baptism?
1. Baptism is also called an Ordinance, and rightly so.
2. An Ordinance is a command of Jesus to do something.
1. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NRSVA), Paul writes about the Lord's supper

²³For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." ²⁵In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." ²⁶For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

1. Do this in remembrance of me.

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1. Baptism is of the same form and substance.
1. This is born out by Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10:44-48 (NRSVA)

⁴⁴While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. ⁴⁵The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, ⁴⁶for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ⁴⁷"Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" ⁴⁸So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

1. The Ordinance of Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change in relationship with Jesus Christ that is demonstrated for all the world to see.
1. Brochure: Baptism at First Congregational Church
2. I borrowed the form from a sister church, however this is my original work:

WELCOME

As family and friends, we gather to celebrate one of the most important experiences in the life of an individual. We celebrate the presence of God and God's grace in the ordinance of Baptism.

Writing in Ephesians, chapter four, The Apostle Paul proclaims: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." ⁽¹⁾

INVITATION

The Gospel of Luke records that, "People were bringing even infants to (Jesus) that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.'" ⁽²⁾

ADDRESS

Baptism is a visible sign of an invisible event; the symbol of the reconciliation of a person with God. Once we were strangers, ⁽³⁾ now we are friends. ⁽⁴⁾ Once we were aliens, ⁽⁵⁾ now we are members of the greatest family on earth and in heaven. ⁽⁶⁾ Once we were lost, now we are found. ⁽⁷⁾ There is great rejoicing in heaven and on earth. ⁽⁸⁾

Baptism is the means by which we publicly declare our union with Jesus Christ. Baptism is a demonstration of the love and work of the Holy Spirit. For it is the Holy Spirit, who in love, invites us to accept the call of God.

Through baptism, we enter into covenant relationship with God. We express our willingness to believe what God reveals to us, to accept what God offers us, and to do what God asks of us. God, in this covenant relationship, makes it possible for us to receive forgiveness for sin, ⁽⁹⁾ spiritual growth ⁽¹⁰⁾ and immortality. ⁽¹¹⁾ In this relationship we discover a life of contentment and joy. ⁽¹²⁾

Thoughts on Baptism ⁽¹³⁾

1. There is only one baptism, (Ephesians 4.4-6).

⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

1. Baptism is a visible sign of an invisible event; the symbol of the reconciliation of a person with God, (Romans 5.10; Colossians 1.20).

Romans 6:3-5 (NRSVA) ³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Colossians 1:20 (NRSVA) ²⁰and through him (that is Jesus) God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

1. Baptism is the graphic illustration of the Christian's new life in Jesus Christ, (Romans 6.3-5).

Romans 6:3-5 (NRSVA) ³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

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1. Baptism demonstrates a change in relationship.
   
1. Once we were strangers, (Ephesians 2.19).

Ephesians 2:19 (NRSVA) ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,

1. Once we were aliens, (Ephesians 2.19).

Ephesians 2:19 (NRSVA) ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,

1. Now we are friends, (John 15.15).

John 15:15 (NRSVA) ¹⁵I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.

1. Now we are members of the greatest family on earth and in heaven, (Romans 8.15-23).

Romans 8:15-23 (NRSVA) ¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" ¹⁶it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. ¹⁸I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. ¹⁹For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; ²⁰for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²²We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; ²³and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

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1. Once we were lost, (Luke 15.4-7).

Luke 15:4-7 (NRSVA) ⁴"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' ⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

1. Now we are found, (Luke 15.24).

Luke 15:24 (NRSVA) ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

1. There is great rejoicing in heaven and on earth, (Luke 15.32).

Luke 15:32 (NRSVA) ³²But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

1. Baptism is the means by which we publicly declare our union with Jesus Christ and become his witnesses to the world, (1 Timothy 6.11-12).

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NRSVA) ¹¹But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

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1. Baptism is a demonstration of the love and work of the Holy Spirit. For it is the Holy Spirit, who in love, invites us to accept the call of God, (Romans 5.1-4).

Romans 5:1-4 (NRSVA) ¹Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. ³And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

1. Through baptism, we enter into covenant relationship with God, (Hebrews 8.6-12).

Hebrews 8:6-12 (NRSVA) ⁶But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. ⁷For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one. ⁸God finds fault with them when he says: "The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; ⁹not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord. ¹⁰This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹¹And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. ¹²For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."

1. We express our willingness:
1. to believe what God reveals to us,
2. to accept what God offers us, and
3. to do what God asks of us, (John 14.15, 21; John 15.10).

John 14:15 (NRSVA) ¹⁵"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:21 (NRSVA) ²¹They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."

John 15:10 (NRSVA) ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

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1. God, in this covenant relationship, makes it possible for us to receive:
1. forgiveness for sin, (1 John 1.9).

1 John 1:9 (NRSVA) ⁹If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1. spiritual growth, (Ephesians 4.11-15).

Ephesians 4:11-15 (NRSVA) ¹¹The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. ¹⁴We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. ¹⁵But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

1. and immortality, (John 3.36).

John 3:36 (NRSVA) ³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.

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1. In this relationship we discover a life of contentment and joy, (John 15.1-12).

John 15:1-12 (NRSVA) ¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. ²He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. ³You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. ⁹As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. ¹²"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

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CONCLUSION:

Bishop Ben Oliphant, a retired bishop of the United Methodist Church, tells of an incident when he was pastor. ⁽¹⁴⁾

A man whom Ben knew quite well arranged to be baptized and join the church one Sunday.

What Ben did not know was that the man's son was going to come with him to the altar to also be baptized.

Not knowing the young man's name, Ben leaned over the man and whispered, The name of the son?

The man looked up and said, What, Ben? The son, the son, Ben repeated, what's his name? The man looked up and said, Jesus.

1. It is Jesus who gave the great and power Gospel Commission in Matthew 28.19-20, ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
1. Make Disciples
2. Baptize
3. Teach
2. This is the way from bondage to freedom.
1. We live then with a different kind of tie.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellow ship of kindred minds
Is like to that above. ⁽¹⁵⁾

Amen!

1. Ephesians 4:4-6, NRSV, (All Scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.)

2. Luke 18:15-17

3. Ephesians 2:19

4. John 15:15

5. Ephesians 2:19

6. Romans 8:15-23

7. Luke 15:24

8. Luke 15:32

9. 1 John 1:9

10. Ephesians 4:11-15

11. John 3:36

12. John 15:1-12

13. All biblical references are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, although any acceptable version will support the same conclusions offered above.

14. As told by Barry Bailey, 20 June 1993, Fort Worth, Texas.

15. Blest Be the Tie That Binds, Lyric Author: John Fawcett (w. 1782)