A good thing to keep in mind as we discuss these verse today is the, we don't have to be identical twins to be brothers/sisters in Christ.

What I mean by that is there are a lot of things scripturally that are non essential that we may disagree about and that is ok.

But when it comes to things that are clearly essential unity is important.

Here is another way of putting it.

In essentials unity, in matters of opinion liberty, and in all things love.

We have been discussing the fact that the resurrection changed everything. It has brought heaven and earth into fruition like two tectonic plates working back and forth together. A result of this is the opportunity to begin experiencing a deep and fulfilling life now as we look forward to it being made complete and perfect.

When we become united with the Father, Son, and Spirit an amazing full life is possible.

How do we connect with that freedom?
How do we take the first step toward a relationship with God?
How do we connect with God and new life?

THE WORD
Acts 2:37-41
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The actual meaning of the word.
The root word baptō means “to dip." Baptizō is an intensive form of baptō and means “to dip” or “to immerse.” This word is used in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible to describe Naaman’s sevenfold immersion in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:14).
Baptizō is also used in ancient writings of vessels which are cleansed by immersing them in water. The word is used of ships that sink and of people who drown.

The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician, Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. The clear example is a recipe for making pickles. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped'(bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptized' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptizing the vegetable, produces a permanent change.

There are two key things we learn from a study of the word baptizō: First, the word means “to immerse.” A ship sprinkled with water would not sink. A cucumber sprinkled with vinegar would not be transformed into a pickle. It would have been so much more clear if the word baptize was translated like every other word. But instead of translating it to the term immerse, it has become a common english word that is widely translated.

Martin Luther (Lutheran): "On this account I could wish that such as are baptized should be completely immersed into water according to the meaning of the word and the signification of the ordinance . . . as also without doubt it was instituted by Christ" (Works, Vol. II. p. 75, ed. 1551).

John Calvin (Presbyterian): "The very word baptize signifies to immerse, and it is certain that immersion was the practice of the primitive church" (Institutes, Vol. XI., ch.15, sec, 49).

John Wesley (Methodist): "We are buried with him, alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by immersion" (Notes on N.T., Romans 6:3).

F. Brenner (Roman Catholic): "Thirteen hundred years was baptism generally and ordinarily performed by the immersion of a man under water" (Work on Baptism, Augusti. Denkwurd, VII. p. 62).

Philip Scaff (Presbyterian): "Immersion, and not sprinkling, was unquestionably the original form of baptism. Baptism is to immerse in water" (History of Apostolic Church, pp. 568-569).

I want to make it clear, that I am not trying to take from anyone, a heartfelt decision that they may have made, and how they may have made that decision even though it may differ from the root meaning of the word and practice of baptism.

I am simply asking the question. What does God's word say, and what does it mean?

The second thing that is important about the meaning of this word is this. When someone chooses to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they are seeking a life that is new and changed permanently.

This is the significance of the action.

THE SIGNIFICANCE
Some say…Baptism is all that matters. That idea is not rooted in scripture.
Baptism isn't magic. It isn't some silver bullet and I have seen how some have tried to manipulate or fretfully persuade people toward a decision because they think that baptizing a person will somehow miraculously change them. God doesn't force himself.

Some say…Baptism is only a secondary action and it is not essential. That idea is not rooted in scripture.
Biblically, what are we told to do when choosing to connect with God? Scripture does not say raising a hand, making an alter call, or praying a prayer are how we respond to God. Baptism is a clear and simple action

If baptism is everything, a magic pill to fix our problem then it is a work. Just do it and all is good. But the bible doesn't teach this.

Or if we make it secondary, just symbolic then it is nothing more than a show or gesture to warm my heart. But the bible doesn't teach this.

I have heard the statement that baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace. If it is just a sign why bother. If it is just symbolic why bother. But the Bible never says baptism is symbolic. The significance is great then just some symbolic gesture.

But the bible does teach that baptism is how we respond to the invitation of God and how we can be united with Jesus.
When someone is hung up on this issue, or they want to debate it my normal statement is Jesus saves us. Most everyone will agree with that.
My relationship with Jesus affords me the opportunity to be saved…
My relationship with Jesus affords me the opportunity to receive God’s Spirit…
My relationship with Jesus affords me access to God in prayer….
I could go on but you get the point

So now, the biggest question. How does the bible tell me to be connected to Jesus? The most definitive and clear action given in Scripture is baptism.

Romans 6:3-6
3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We 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.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin

Some may point to this scripture and say see, It’s symbolic. You might say, but we were not dead, and then raised to a new life, it is all just language to talk about an action that is symbolic of what God is doing on the inside.

Read the passage again on your own time. Slowly. There is noting to suggest that God is saying this is symbolic.

When Eve was tempted by Satan to eat the apple, what did Eve and Satan say? "I can’t eat that, I’ll die." Satan replied, "You won’t really die." And when she ate it, did she die? Yes, she did. Not symbolically, but literally. She was dead to God and eternal life. How do we change that? We trust that the resurrection is the power to reverse that death. And how do we connect with that death, burial, and resurrection so that we can literally be connected with Jesus, the one who worked for life…baptism!

God’s word works together like a symphony.

One voice alone can be beautiful but it is never as rich as the harmonious symphony of voices together. God’s word is like this.

Romans 10:10,13 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved…for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” p

Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Mark 16:16a Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved

Alone, one scripture can bring truth for sure, but working together with the symphony of all the scriptures God’s world tells the whole story and gives us a clear path for a first step to connect with Him.

Here is what the symphony of God’s word make clear. Baptisms is an essential step in connecting with the work and will of God.

In all sincerity, I have hard time understanding why there is so much debate and discord regarding something that God has made clear. So let me say it this way and I hope that it sticks with you. I want to invite you and anyone to…

Respond to God’s WILL God’s WAY leaving salvation to be God’s WORK.

Baptism isn't a magic pill that automatically saves people because that would make salvation a work.
Baptism isn’t a symbolic gesture because that would make baptism a meaningless show.

What’s the big point in this? The point is baptism is essential and life changing for the person who has a sincere heart wanting to follow God.

The word baptizō was especially prominent in the dye trade. Cloth would be dipped or immersed into a vat of dye. The material was “baptized” in dye. When the cloth was removed from the vat of dye, it had a distinct and new appearance. It was identified in a new way. Red cloth would come out of a vat of red dye. Blue cloth would come out of a vat of blue dye.

The point is, the cloth was identified as cloth until it had been baptized. Once baptized, it changed, and was given a new identity. It’s now the red one.

Romans 6: 4 We 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.

Baptism, is that scared and religious act that God has commanded all who follow Him to do. Just as in communion, we have the opportunity to unite ourselves with the Father because of the sacrifice of the Son, in baptism we are able to be united with the Father, Son, and Spirit in baptism because of the sacrifice of the Son.

A new full life is made possible when we respond to God’s WILL God’s WAY leaving salvation to be God’s WORK.