Playlist: Baptism (topic)
The Wonderful Ordinance of Water Baptism
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThere is much confusion in the world over baptism, with variations such as sprinkling or partial immersion often done for convenience. Baptism is a vital condition for salvation, symbolizing being baptized into Christ Jesus and into His death, leading to walking in newness of life. This newness of life is a practice of eternal …
Baptism and Unleavened Bread
Sermonette byThe pattern of burial and rescue from a watery grave appears often in scripture, indicating that baptism plays an enormous role in God's overall purpose.
Baptized in the Sea
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBaptism holds a significant place in our spiritual journey, marking a profound transition in our lives. It is a memorable experience, whether conducted in a simple trough, a river, a lake, or an ocean, each setting unique yet united in purpose. The act of baptism, often witnessed by others, remains etched in memory due to its …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twelve)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Acts 2:38, Peter urges repentance and baptism for all, addressing the Jews who were under the Old Covenant, emphasizing the necessity of baptism as a step towards receiving the Holy Spirit. This call to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins is directed to those whom God calls, as seen in Acts 2:39, …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBaptism symbolizes a profound step in the process of regeneration, which is essential for salvation. It represents an internal cleansing and rising in newness of life from a watery grave, marking the beginning of becoming a new creation and receiving God's Holy Spirit. This act, often associated with being born again, serves as …
Elements of Judgment (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has established various covenants with humanity, each with specific terms and promises agreed upon by the parties involved, sealed by distinct acts and vows to signify understanding and commitment to responsibilities. For the New Covenant, baptism serves as the sealing act, marking an individual's personal agreement with …
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnder the New Covenant, baptism has replaced circumcision as the sign and seal of commitment, marking a profound spiritual step. Unlike circumcision, which holds no spiritual effect in this context, baptism represents a spiritual death to the old way of life through repentance, a burial in a watery grave, and a resurrection from …
Elements of Judgment (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Baptism serves as the essential rite marking entry into the New Covenant for Gentile converts, replacing the requirement of circumcision that some sought to impose as a prerequisite for acceptance into the fellowship. In the events surrounding Acts 15, the apostles recognized that God justified these converts through the blood …
Acts (Part Twenty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn Ephesus the apostle Paul encountered a group of disciples whose baptism had left them spiritually incomplete. They had received the baptism of John, which called for repentance and directed faith toward the One who would follow, yet they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. When Paul questioned them about their experience, …
The Jerusalem Council's Conclusion
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughBaptism functions as a righteous requirement rather than a work that secures salvation. Jesus Himself submitted to it to fulfill righteousness, yet the act remains a ritual that does not confer justification. Instead, it serves as a visible sign of spiritual death and resurrection in Christ, publicly marking acceptance of the …
Remembering Your Vows
Sermon by John O. ReidBaptism constitutes the most serious commitment an individual can make, comparable to the marriage vow yet surpassing it in eternal significance, as it represents a pledge of faithfulness to Jesus Christ as the future Groom and entry into the God Family. This vow occurs only after the Father calls and draws a person through His …
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBaptism has replaced circumcision as the external rite and form marking participation in the New Covenant. It carries the same spiritual ramifications, serving as the visible sign that authenticates an inward reality rather than conferring standing by itself. Just as physical circumcision under the Old Covenant proved worthless …
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Baptism stands as the required sign and seal of the New Covenant, demanded by Jesus Christ before the giving of His Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself received baptism and commanded it for all who would follow Him, including women, thereby establishing both the example and the directive that every convert must obey. This act involves …
Acts (Part Nine)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughBaptism marks the response of those who believe the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. In Samaria, men and women who heard Philip preach were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and Simon himself believed and was baptized before continuing with Philip. These baptisms preceded the reception of the Holy …
The Covenant of Circumcision
Sermon/Bible Study byCircumcision was the sign God gave Abraham indicating that his descendants would ascend to greatness, acquiring physical and spiritual blessings.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Baptism occupies a specific place within the broader discussion of how Christ, as Builder of His church, configures His people to bear His own characteristics through the operation of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from John 3, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be "born of water and the Spirit" to enter the Kingdom of God, an …
Together We Stand - But on What?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul, using the body analogy in I Corinthians, focuses on the need for unity and inter-relatedness by concentrating upon sound doctrine.
Acts (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPeter, using the details of fulfilled prophecy, establishes the Messiahship of Jesus Christ and convicts the crowd of their culpability in His death.
John 3:16 in Context (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBaptism forms an essential step in the spiritual rebirth required to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that one must be born of water and the Spirit, indicating that baptism combined with the receipt of the Holy Spirit constitutes the regeneration that allows a person to see and experience the kingdom. This …
The Christian Paradox (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSalvation is not merely self-identifying oneself as a saint, but it involves rigorously working with God in an arduous process of transformation.
The Source of Church Characteristics (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ is the architect of the church, indicating that the institution must take on the characteristics of the Builder, reflecting His character.
Conversion: Turning to God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe are like new immigrants to the Kingdom of God; we still carry the traits of our countries of origin. We must take on the characteristics of God's nation.
The Great Flood (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod commissioned Noah to witness to the debased population before He eradicated it. The stark parallels to today's world should be given attention.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist emphasizes that the internal, weightier matters, which change the heart, take precedence over external ceremonial concerns that don't change the heart.
Born Again (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Baptism and being born again were already understood by the Jews, but the traditions had evidently blinded people to some additional spiritual nuances.
Peter's Pentecost Sermon
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe signs that accompanied Peter's Pentecost sermon attracted attention, confirmed God's Word, and provided meaning to the effects of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus experienced the same temptations and suffering we do, qualifying Him for the role of High Priest, the bridge-builder between man and God.
Faithful Travelers on a Spiritual Journey
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the journey of faith, baptism stands as a profound symbol of God's deliverance, marking our passage from an old life into a new one. As illustrated in I Peter 3:18-21, just as Noah and his family were saved through the waters of the Flood, so too does baptism signify our salvation through water, not merely as a cleansing of …
Things Pertaining to the Kingdom!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBetween Christ's resurrection and ascension, He appeared to His disciples 10 times within 40 days, instructing them about things pertaining to the Kingdom.
Abraham (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we surrender to God, allowing Him to shape character in us, He will enable us to live in hope, giving us direct access to Him, giving us a more abundant life.
Joshua's Four Miracles (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIsrael's conquest of Canaan under Joshua can be a metaphor for the journey from baptism to entering God's kingdom, especially for the second generation.
Numbers (Part Two): Graves in the Wilderness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf we, like Israel of old, choose to sin, we will receive the same consequence. Two thirds of the book of Numbers emphasizes that if we sin, we die.
Revelation 2-3 and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe letters in Revelation 2 and 3 are for the end times, shortly before Christ's return. Each emphasizes repentance, overcoming, and judgment according to works.
John (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe apostle John has provided at least eight separate forms of witness, establishing the veracity of Jesus Christ's identity as God in the flesh.
What Is the Church?
Sermon by Ryan McClureBaptism serves as the divinely appointed means by which those called by God enter the church. Individuals respond to the Father's drawing by repenting of sin and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, after which they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This act does not incorporate them into any denomination of men but …
Among the Few
Sermon by Mark SchindlerInitially, the primary motivation for responding to God's call may be a panicky desire to save our skin, gloming onto a place of safety like Petra.
Where God Places His Name (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause we would die from exposure to God's glory, the name of God, reflecting His characteristics, is the only way we can approach God.
Corporate Faith
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCorporate faith requires that we lay aside our individualism and join our brethren doing God's work.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Seven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChristians must address marriage problems from God's perspective. Stress can cause people to lay aside their values in favor of humanly reasoned solutions.
Approaching God Through Christ (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe one who comes before God must be pure in body and mind. The priests had to wash themselves from a bronze laver, midway between the altar and the entrance.
Why the Last Great Day?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSome words are inadequate to describe the magnitude of certain things. Why is the 'Last Great Day' called great?
Worship and Culture (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe apostles, to properly honor God, reinforce existing traditions to create unity, order, and decorum, avoiding the common, crude, or profane.
John (Part Twenty)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJust as a seed must die to itself in order to bear fruit, we also must sacrifice our lives, submitting unconditionally to God's to bear abundant fruit.
Matthew (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus resisted Satan with the knowledge of God, resisting appeals to vanity, using power selfishly resisting to lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life.