Colossians 2:8-15 NIV
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
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Baptism is a Statement
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Acts 2:36-38 NIV
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 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.
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Two verbs used in the New Testament: baptō and baptizō
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Colossians 2:15 NIV
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
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Baptism is an Alignment
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Matthew 3:13-15 NIV
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
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Galatians 3:27 NIV
27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
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Colossians 2:12 NIV
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
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Baptism is a Commitment
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Luke 12:50 NASB
50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
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Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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Baptism is all about making a statement, alignment, and commitment of obedience to Jesus.
