AY Program Idea: Loyalty Above the Crowd

*Reference: Matthew 26:31-75.

Peter loved Jesus, but he also loved the approval of the crowd. During the last supper, when Jesus warned the apostles that they would all forsake Him, Peter jumped to his feet and brashly vowed that even if all others would be offended, he would never forsake Him. Jesus replied, “This night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Verse 34.

Peter meant well, but he did not recognize the pride in his own heart. Later that night, when the mob came to arrest Jesus and all were watching, Peter pulled out a sword to defend His Master. But just a few hours later at His trial, as Peter was being mocked by the enemies of Jesus, he denied three times that he
even knew Him. Each time, Peter became more bold, until he finally denied Him with swearing and cursing (Verse 74).

Then the rooster crowed. At that very moment, Jesus was in the judgment hall, being beaten by the guards. Peter saw Jesus turn and look at him with love and compassion, and it broke his heart. “And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:61, 62.

From that day forward, Peter was a different man. He no longer lived to please the crowd, but was determined to please only God. After his conversion, when brought before the Jewish council and threatened with beating if he continued preaching about Jesus, Peter fearlessly answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. Peter forever proved his loyalty and love for Jesus when he chose to be crucified upside down by the Roman Emperor Nero rather than to deny his Lord again.

Activity:

Group congregation into different classes or groups based on age or by seating arrangement. Assign a leader and a secretary to lead the discussion and take down notes on the answers of the group. Allot some time for the group to discuss the answers to the questions below. Before the group shares their answers in front, let them offer a special song first.

Note: The bible verses after each question, are guides and additional references for the program leader, and can be opted out in giving the questions.

Discussion Questions:

Group 1

1. How does God determine whether we are on His side? (Matthew 7:21, Romans 6:16)
2. When the commands of God and men conflict, whom did Peter say we should obey? (Acts 5:29)
3. How do we best demonstrate our love and loyalty for God? (John 8:31, John 14:15, 1 John 2:4)
4. According to Jesus, why did the hypocrites act religious? (Matthew 6:2,5)
5. Is it generally safe to follow the crowd? (Exodus 23:2, Matthew 7:13, 14, 1 Peter 3:20)

Group 2

1. How does Jesus feel when we put the traditions of men before the commandments
   of God? (Mark 7:7, 9)
2. Will true Christianity be popular in the last days? (Matthew 24:9, 2 Timothy 3:12, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 13:15)
3. Is it possible to serve both God and the crowd? (Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:26, Matthew 12:50)
4. Is it safe to love a friend or family member more than Jesus? (Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:26, Matthew 12:50)
5. Is it wise to put a prosperous career or earthly treasures before Jesus? (Matthew 16:26, Luke 12:15)

Group 3

1. Is it safe to continue disobeying God’s will after He has shown us the truth? (Hosea 4:6, Hebrews 10:26)
2. What will happen to those who persist in rejecting the truth? (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, John 3:19)
3. Will those who persecute God’s people in the last days believe they are doing the right thing? (John 16:2)
4. How did Peter describe those who have learned the truth but refuse to follow it? (2 Peter 2:21, 22)

Group 4

1. Does following Jesus involve some struggle and self denial? (Luke 9:23)
2. Is it safe to procrastinate or postpone a decision to follow Jesus? (Hebrews 4:7, 2 Corinthians 6:2)
3. What benefits come as a result of accepting and following the truth? (Psalm 119:165, John 8:32, 1 Peter 1:22)
4. What question did Jesus ask Peter three times? (John 21:17)

Highlights/Conclusion:

It is a simple principle that our loyalties are determined by whom we listen to. If we say we are servants of God but take our instructions from the devil or the world, we are deceiving ourselves.

After Peter was converted and fell in love with Jesus, he told the Jewish council that his first allegiance was to God. We have learned that in the last days, the laws of the beast and the world will conflict with the laws of God. We must choose now to obey the laws of God—regardless of the consequences.

The best demonstration of a person’s love for Jesus is to do His will, and the law of God is the most perfect expression of His will (Psalm 40:8).

The Bible tells us that “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7. A genuine Christian will be much more concerned about what God thinks of him than what the world thinks.

History seems to indicate that the crowd almost always makes the wrong decisions. It was the crowd that wanted to stone Moses and go back to the slavery of Egypt (Numbers 14:4-10). It was the crowd that cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him.” Luke 23:21. And it will be the majority—not the minority— who receive the mark of the beast in the last days (Revelation 13:16).

In the last days, Satan and his followers will wage an all-out war against God’s genuine, Bible-believing children.

In this battle between Christ and Satan, there is no neutral territory. It is impossible to ride the fence as a spectator. If we are not cooperating with Jesus, we are in fact helping the devil.

Jesus indicates here that the best way to help reach and save our loved ones is to put Him first in our lives. It is always a tragic mistake to put our natural affections for family or friends before our first obligation to our Saviour and Creator.

The belief that happiness and security come from a good job and nice things is a deadly deception. On the contrary, Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25.

The Scriptures teach that Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). To accept or reject the truth in any degree is to accept or reject Jesus.

The best time to listen to God’s voice is when you are hearing it, and the best time to do God’s will is when He is showing you His will.

Satan’s favorite trap is to deceive people into thinking that they have plenty of time to make this decision. The devil knows that the convicting voice of God’s Spirit will grow quiet if ignored. Untold millions will be lost who were sincerely planning to follow Jesus someday in the future, but “someday” never came.

Tremendous peace, security, and freedom come into the hearts and lives of those who receive and obey the truth.

This is the most important question when it comes to a full and complete surrender to the will of God. Do you love Him?

The truth will never be popular in this sinful world, and the crowd will almost always take the easy road.
But Jesus has shown His incredible love for you by giving His life to pay the price for all your sins. The
Lord has a great plan for your life. This is why He has revealed His truth to you. Will you now return that
love by giving Him all your heart, by choosing to accept Him as your Lord, and by following where
He leads?

Sabbath Day: The Lost day of History

Did you know there is a very important day that almost everyone has forgotten about?

It’s astounding that only a few people are aware of it, because it’s one of the most significant days in all of human history! It’s not only a day in the past, but the present and future. Furthermore, what happened on this neglected day can have a profound effect on our life.

Jesus’ custom was to worship on the Sabbath.

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16.

The Sabbath is not the first day of the week (Sunday), as many believe, but the seventh day (Saturday).
Notice from the above Scripture that the Sabbath is the day that comes just before the first day of the week.

“The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:10. “And when the sabbath was past, …very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre.” Mark 16:1, 2.

God made the Sabbath at the time of Creation, when He made the world. He rested on the Sabbath and
blessed and sanctified it (set it apart for a holy use).

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” “And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Genesis 1:1; 2:2, 3.

In the fourth commandment of the 10, God commands us to observe the seventh-day Sabbath as His holy day. God knew people would forget His Sabbath, so He began this commandment with the word “remember.” He has never commanded anyone anywhere to keep any other day as a weekly holy day.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11. “And the Lord delivered unto me two tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” Deuteronomy 9:10.

Jesus says: “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17. God says: “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalms 89:34.

Notice, the Ten Commandments came from His lips. Exodus 20:1 says, “And God spake all these words, saying … [the Ten Commandments follow in verses 2-17].”

It is utterly impossible for any of God’s moral law ever to change. All Ten Commandments are
binding today.

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” Acts 17:2. “Paul and his company … went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.” Acts 13:13, 14. “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” Acts 16:13. “And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Acts 18:4.

The book of Acts makes it clear that Paul and the early church kept the Sabbath.

God commanded it:
“Blessed is the man … that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it.” “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, … every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer … for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people .” Isaiah 56:2, 6, 7, emphasis added.

The apostles in the early New Testament church not only obeyed God’s Sabbath command, but they also
taught the converted Gentiles to worship on Sabbath. Never once do they refer to Sunday as a holy day.

Apostles taught it:
“And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.” “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.” Acts 13:42, 44, emphasis added. “And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Acts 18:4.

There is not the remotest hint that the Sabbath was changed at Christ’s death or resurrection. The Bible
teaches just the opposite. Please carefully review the following evidence:

A. God blessed the Sabbath.
“The Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:11. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Genesis 2:3.

B. Christ expected His people to be still keeping the Sabbath in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed.
Knowing full well that Jerusalem would be destroyed by Rome in A.D. 70, Jesus warned His followers of that time, saying, “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.” Matthew 24:20, emphasis added.

Jesus made it clear that He intended for the Sabbath to be kept even 40 years after His resurrection. In fact, there is no intimation anywhere in the Scriptures that Jesus, His Father, or the apostles ever (at any time, under any circumstances) changed the holy seventh-day Sabbath to any other day.

C. The women who came to anoint Christ’s dead body kept the Sabbath. Jesus died on “the day before the sabbath” (Mark 15:37, 42), which is now called Good Friday. The women prepared spices and ointments to anoint His body, then “rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56. Only “when the sabbath was past” (Mark 16:1) did the women come “the first day of the week” (Mark 16:2) to continue their sad work. They found “Jesus was risen early the first day of the week” (verse 9),
commonly called Easter Sunday. Please note that the Sabbath “according to the commandment” was the day preceding Easter Sunday, which we now call Saturday.

D. Christ’s follower, Luke, wrote two books of the Bible–Luke and Acts. He says that in the book of Luke he wrote about “all” of Jesus’ teachings (Acts 1:1-3). But he never wrote about Sunday keeping or a change of the Sabbath.

The Bible says the saved people of all ages will keep the Sabbath in the new earth.

“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isa. 66:22-23.

The Bible speaks of the “Lord’s day” in Revelation 1:10, so the Lord does have a special day. But no verse of Scripture refers to Sunday as the Lord’s day. Rather, the Bible plainly identifies Sabbath as the Lord’s day. The only day ever blessed by the Lord or claimed by Him as His holy day is the seventh-day Sabbath.

“Call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord.” Isaiah 58:13. “For the son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.” Matthew 12:8.

No more than you would keep Friday in honor of the crucifixion. Christ gave the ordinance of baptism in
honor of His death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible never suggests Sunday keeping in honor of the resurrection (or for any other reason, for that matter). We honor Christ by obeying Him (John 14:15)–not by substituting man-made requirements in place of His.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:3-6.

Misguided men of long years past announced that God’s holy day was changed from Sabbath to Sunday. God predicted it would happen, and it did. This error was passed on to our unsuspecting generation as gospel fact. Sunday keeping is a tradition of uninspired men and breaks God’s law, which commands Sabbath keeping. Only God can make a day holy. God blessed the Sabbath, and when God blesses, no man can “reverse it.” Numbers 23:20.

*The Revised Standard Version of the Bible, (C) 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

“And he shall think to change the times and the law.” Daniel 7:25, RSV.* “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:6, 9. “Her priests have violated my law.” “And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, … saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken.” Ezekiel 22:26, 28.

God has specifically and positively forbidden men to change His law by deletions or additions. To tamper with God’s holy law in any way is one of the most fearful and dangerous things a person can do.

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 4:2. “Every word of God is pure. … Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5, 6.

God made the Sabbath.

A. Sign of Creation.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8, 11.
B. Sign of redemption and sanctification.
“Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Ezekiel 20:12.

Surely every Christian will love the Sabbath as God’s precious sign of Creation and redemption (Exodus 31:13, 17; Ezekiel 20:12, 20). It is a great insult to God for people to trample upon His Sabbath. In Isaiah 58:13, 14, God says all who would be blessed must first get their feet off His Sabbath.

It is a matter of life and death. Sabbath keeping is enjoined in the fourth commandment of God’s law. The deliberate breaking of any one of the Ten Commandments is a sin. Christians will gladly follow Christ’s example of Sabbath keeping. Our only safety is to diligently study the Bible, “rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. We must have positive Scripture support for every Christian practice we follow.

“Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.

“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.

“Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10.

“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21.

“He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:9.

“Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane … and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” “Therefore have I poured out my indignation upon them.” Ezekiel 22:26, 31.

In hiding their eyes from God’s true Sabbath, religious leaders offend the God of heaven. God promises
punishment for such false shepherds. Millions have been misled on this matter. God cannot treat it lightly. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for pretending to love God while making void one of the Ten Commandments by their tradition (Mark 7:7-13).

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12.

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God.”
Revelation 14:12.

The Sabbath is yours and my Sabbath. God made it for us, and if we love Him, we will keep it,
because it is one of His commandments. Love without commandment-keeping is no love at all (1 John 2:4).

We must make a decision. We cannot avoid it. No one can excuse you and me. We, ourselves will answer before God on this most important matter. God asks us to love and obey Him now!

AY Program Idea: Written in Stone

Centuries ago, God wrote His law in stone, and you’re still supposed to keep it today!

It’s absolutely true that violating any part of God’s law always brings negative consequences. As crime overruns our cities, doesn’t it make sense that for peace and safety, we need to obey the laws of the land?

Well, this same principle applies with God’s law – the Ten Commandments – in our own lives too! They aren’t called the ten suggestions, ten recommendations, or the ten greatest ideas.

“And he gave unto Moses … two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” “And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” Exodus 31:18; 32:16.

Yes, the great God of heaven wrote the Ten Commandments on tables of stone with His own finger.

“Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.

Sin is breaking God’s Ten Commandment law. And since the law of God is perfect (Psalms 19:7), it covers
every conceivable sin. It is impossible to commit a sin that is not condemned by at least one of God’s Ten
Commandments. The commandments cover “the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Nothing is left out.

Activity:

Form 4 to 5 groups from the congregation. Assign leaders and secretaries to lead the discussion. Answer the following questions below. Allot some time for the group to be able to discuss their answers, and time to share their answers to the rest of the congregation.

Questions:

1. Why did God give us the Ten Commandments?
2. Why is God’s law exceedingly important to us personally?
3. Give examples of when God’s laws have been changed or abolished?
4. Why, then, is the law an absolute essential for perfecting Christian character?
5. How do we, a truly converted Christian, follow the pattern of God’s law?
6. How does the devil feel about the people who pattern their lives after God’s Ten Commandments?

Highlights/Conclusion:

1. “He that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18.

“Keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.” Proverbs 3:1, 2.

A. As a guide for happy, abundant living.
God created us to enjoy happiness, peace, long life, contentment, accomplishment, and all the other great blessings for which our hearts long. God’s law is the road map that points out the right paths to follow in order to find this true, supreme happiness.

“By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20. “I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Romans 7:7.

B. To show me the difference between right and wrong.
God’s law is like a mirror (James 1:23-25). It points out wrongdoing in my life as a mirror points out
dirt on my face. The only possible way for a person to know if he is sinning is for him to carefully
check his life by the mirror of God’s law. Hope for this mixed-up, sinking generation is found in God’s
Ten Commandment law. It tells where to draw the line!

“And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes [commandments] … for our good always.” Deuteronomy 6:24.

“Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes.” Psalms 119:117, 118.

C. To protect me from danger and tragedy.
God’s law is like a strong cage at the zoo, which protects us from fierce, destructive animals. It protects us from impurity, falsehood, murder, idolatry, theft, and many other evils that destroy life, peace, and happiness. All good laws protect, and God’s law is no exception.

Special Note: The eternal principles of God’s law are written deep in every person’s nature by the God who created us. The writing may be dim and smudged, but it is still there. This means, of course, that you cannot find true peace unless you are willing to live in harmony with your inner nature, upon which God has written these principles. We were created to live in harmony with them. When we choose to ignore them, the result is always tension, unrest, and tragedy–just as ignoring the rules for safe driving leads to serious trouble.

2. “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:12.
Answer: Because the Ten Commandment law is the standard by which God examines people in the heavenly judgment. How are you measuring up? It is a life-or-death matter!

3. “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” Psalms 89:34. “All his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever.” Psalms 111:7, 8.

If the law could have been changed, God would have immediately made that change when Adam and Eve sinned instead of sending His Son to die in the sinner’s behalf to pay the penalty of the broken law. But this was impossible, because the commandments are not laws in the sense of rules or regulations that have been enacted. They are revealed principles of God’s holy character that will always be true as long as God exists.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law. … I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. … Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17, 18.

4. “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiates 12:13. “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20.

Because the full pattern, or “whole duty,” for Christian living is contained in God’s law. Like a 6-year-old boy who made his own ruler, measured himself, and told his mother that he was 12 feet tall, our own standards are never safe. I cannot know whether I am a sinner unless I look carefully into the perfect standard–God’s law-mirror.

Millions who have cast out devils, prophesied, and done many wonderful works in Jesus’ name will be lost (Matthew 7:21-23) because they did not bother to check their lives with His great law-pattern. Hence, they think they are righteous and saved when, instead, they are sinful and lost. “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” 1 John 2:3.

5. “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.” Hebrews 8:10. “I can do all things through Christ.” Philippians 4:13. “God sending his own Son … That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us.” Romans 8:3, 4.

Christ not only pardons repentant sinners, but He restores in them the image of God. He brings them into
harmony with His law through the power of His indwelling presence. “Thou shalt not” then becomes a promise that the Christian will not steal, lie, murder, etc., because Jesus lives inside and is in control. God could not change His law, but He made a blessed provision through Jesus to change the sinner so he can measure up to that law.

6. “And the dragon [the devil] was wroth with the woman [true church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God.” Revelation 12:17. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God.” Revelation 14:12.

The devil hates the people who uphold God’s law because the law is the pattern of right living. And if you
decide to follow the pattern outlined in God’s law, you will feel the devil’s wrath upon you at once and with all fury.

It is not surprising that the devil hates and bitterly opposes all who uphold God’s law. But it is shocking and astounding to hear religious leaders denying the binding claims of the Ten Commandments while at the same time upholding the traditions of men.

No wonder Jesus said, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” “In
vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:3, 9. And David said, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.” Psalms 119:126.

Christians must wake up and restore God’s law to its rightful, exalted position. It is folly for this undisciplined generation to presume that it can break the laws of the living God with impunity.

AY Program Idea: Purity and Power

Are you tired of hurting your loved ones and wounding your conscience?

Do you live in constant regret for your past mistakes?

Have you ever wished you could take a bath and come out clean inside and out?

Then we have great news for you… you can!

God has a plan that can totally wash all your sins away and supercharge your character -preposterous?

Not at all! Christ says, “We are buried with him by baptism” (Romans 6:4).

When you accept Christ, the old life dies and the Lord promises to forget all our sins!

Not only that, He can help you overcome every sinful habit in your life.

Did you know the cross is mentioned 28 times in the Bible, but baptism is mentioned 97 times?

It must be pretty important then, and no wonder, because it signifies a new life with the haunting, sinful past buried and forgotten
forever.

Activity:

Group the congregation into smaller groups or classes and give out the following group discussion questions.

Questions:

1. Is baptism really essential?
2. What must a person do to prepare for baptism?
3. What is the meaning of baptism?
4. Based on the baptized character of the Bible below. What lesson can we learn from these characters?

Group A. Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8:26-39)–baptized same day he heard truth.
Group B. Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:23-34)–baptized same night they heard truth.
Group C. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-18)–baptized three days after Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus.
Group D. Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48)–baptized same day he heard truth.

Highlights/Conclusion:

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16.

“For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalms 103:14.

Neither did he restore what he had stolen, as the Lord specifically directs in Ezekiel 33:15.

God holds us accountable for what we can do, but He also recognizes the limitations of “dust.”

He will not require a physical impossibility. Could the thief have come down from the cross, he immediately would have been baptized. This is the only example in the Bible of an exception to this rule. God wanted to make certain that no one would be presumptuous in refusing baptism.

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Ephesians 4:5.

There is only one true baptism. All other so-called baptisms are counterfeits.

Preparation for Baptism:

A. Learn God’s requirements. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them … Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19, 20.
B. Believe the truth of God’s Word. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16.
C. Repent of and turn away from his sins and experience conversion. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Acts 2:38. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins
may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.

“If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2
Corinthians 8:12.

Some grasp things more quickly than others. But in most cases, preparation can
be made in short order.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of
the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:4-6.

It represents the believer following Christ into His death, burial, and resurrection. The symbolism is perfect and filled with deep meaning.

In baptism the eyes are closed, hands are folded, and breath is suspended as in death. Then comes burial in the water and resurrection from the watery grave to a new life in Christ. When raised from the water, the eyes open and the candidate begins breathing again and mingles with friends–a complete likeness of resurrection.

The great difference between Christianity and every other religion is simply the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In these three acts is made possible all that God desires to do for us. To keep these three vital acts alive in the minds of Christians until the end of time, the Lord instituted baptism by immersion as a memorial.

There is no symbolism of death, burial, and resurrection in other forms of baptism. Only immersion fulfills the meaning of Romans 6:4-6.

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16.

Baptism is a public testimony that the repentant sinner has been forgiven and cleansed by Jesus (1 John 1:9) and that
his sinful, traitorous past is behind him. No incriminating evidence against a person exists after conversion.

Men and women today stagger and struggle along under heavy loads of guilt and sin. This contamination and burden is
so devastating to the human personality that people will go to almost any length to achieve a sense of forgiveness and
cleansing.

Many have been driven to the psychiatrist’s couch, where human beings earnestly attempt to assist other
human beings. But the real help is found in coming to Christ, who says to all who approach Him, “I will; be thou clean.”
Matthew 8:3.

Not only does He cleanse, but He crucifies the old nature of sin within you. Burial in the water of baptism
symbolizes the burial of the ugly corpse of the old sinful life. The ordinance is of utmost importance because it publicly
represents the most stupendous provisions ever made for people.

At conversion, God:

1. Forgives and forgets our past.
2. Miraculously transforms us into new spiritual beings.
3. Adopts us as His own sons and daughters.
4. Certainly no truly converted person would want to delay baptism, which publicly pays tribute to Jesus for working all
   these miracles.

He said at His Son’s baptism, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17. So, today,
God is well pleased when a person is baptized by immersion in harmony with His command. Those who love the Lord
will always strive to please Him (1 John 3:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1).

A. All are called into one body. “Ye are called in one body.” Colossians 3:15.
B. The church is the body. “He is the head of the body, the church.” Colossians 1:18.
C. We enter that body by baptism. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:13.
D. God’s converted people are added to the church. “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Acts 2:47.

Baptism does not do:

First: Baptism itself does not change the heart of man; it is a symbol of the change that has taken place. A man might
be baptized without faith, without repentance, and without a new heart. He might even be immersed after the example
of Jesus, but he would simply come up a wet sinner instead of a dry one–still without faith, without repentance, without
a new heart. Baptism cannot make a new person. Neither can it change or regenerate anyone. It is the transforming
power of the Holy Spirit that changes the heart in conversion. One must be born of the Spirit as well as born of water.

Second: Baptism does not necessarily make a person feel better. It doesn’t necessarily change his feelings. Some
people are disappointed because they do not feel different after baptism. Salvation is a matter not of feeling, but of faith
and obedience.

Third: Baptism does not remove temptations. The devil is not through with a person when he is baptized. But Jesus is
the helper of every believer. He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. No temptation will
come without a way of escape. This is the promise of Scripture (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Fourth: Baptism does not guarantee salvation. It is not a magical rite. Salvation comes only as a free gift from Jesus
Christ when one experiences the new birth. Baptism is a symbol of true conversion, and unless conversion precedes
baptism, the ceremony is meaningless.