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<v SPEAKER_00>Good morning folks.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's John Dunn.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This past Sunday we witnessed two baptisms at FBC Wimberley.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It was a moment of spontaneous celebration for our entire church as we applauded this act of submission and obedience.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But while the fuss, you might even think, what's the big deal?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let's look a little closer.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Christian baptism is one of only two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The other is the Lord's Supper.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Just before his ascension, Jesus said this: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's from Matthew 28, 19 and 20.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We know this, of course, as the Great Commission.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Here, in some of Jesus' very final words, he commanded us to do three things: obey his word, make more disciples, and be baptized.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So if for no other reason, baptism is important because Jesus commanded us to do it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Christian baptism illustrates in dramatic fashion the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>At the same time, it also illustrates our death to sin and our new life in Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Romans 6.4 put it this way.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Very simply, water baptism is an outward testimony of the inward change in a believer's life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's an act of both obedience and submission to the Lord that follows our salvation.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's not a requirement in order to be saved.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In fact, the Bible tells us in many places that the order of events should be as follows.

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<v SPEAKER_00>First, a person believes in the Lord Jesus, and then they're baptized.

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<v SPEAKER_00>All of us believers should feel a desire to be baptized.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In Acts chapter 8, Philip spoke the good news to the Ethiopian eunuch as they were traveling along the road.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The eunuch then turned to Philip and said, Look, here's some water.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What can stand in the way of me being baptized?

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<v SPEAKER_00>In most cases, an immediate baptism after salvation isn't practical.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But a believer nonetheless should certainly feel an urgent desire to follow their profession of faith with baptism underwater at the earliest opportunity.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So, in summary, baptism illustrates a believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and his resurrection.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Not only is it an act of obedience to Christ's command, but it's also a visible acknowledgement of our new life in Jesus Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That is a big deal, folks.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I hope you have a blessed week.