AN OPEN HEAVEN

Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Pastor George Dupree

Perhaps you’re wondering what it means to be baptized. Why should I be baptized? If I’ve already been baptized, do I need to be baptized again? Does it matter if I am sprinkled or immersed? The Bible teaches that baptism is the first step of obedience after making a commitment to Christ. Baptism is a sign to the world of your new commitment to Christ! Baptism doesn’t make you a Christian; it shows that you are. Like a wedding ring doesn’t make you married, it signifies that you are.

THE ONLY PREREQUISITE FOR BAPTISM IS TO BELIEVE IN JESUS

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
Baptism identifies us with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Christ died for our sins … He was buried … and He rose again

We Put On Christ – Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

We’re Buried and Raised With Christ – Colossians 2:12 – For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.

We Walk in New Life – Romans 6:4 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.

Baptism illustrates my new life as a Christian.
Baptism doesn’t make you a Christian—it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand-new person inside. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun –
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

WHY BE BAPTIZED UNDER WATER?
Jesus was baptized that way, and it symbolizes a burial and resurrection.
Matthew 3:16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water…
The Greek word baptizo means to immerse or dip under water.

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED? – Every person who’s believed in Christ should be baptized.
Acts 2:41 Those who believe and accepted His message were baptized …

WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED? – As soon as you can after you have believed.

Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day, about three thousand souls were added to them.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Baptism Is An Act Of Obedience

When we’re obedient to God’s Word we will enjoy a more fulfilled life, we’ll enjoy the blessings and favor of God over our life.

When we’re in obedience to God’s Word and His Ways we are living under an open heaven and that’s where the blessing flow into our lives.

An Open Heaven
When Jesus was baptized, we’re told that the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him and the voice of God spoke over Him.
Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus left Galilee to come to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But when he waded into the water, John resisted him, saying, “Why are you doing this? I’m the one who needs to be baptized by you, and yet you come to be baptized by me?” 15 Jesus replied, “It is only right to do all that God requires.” Then John baptized Jesus. 16 And as Jesus rose up out of the water, the heavenly realm opened up over him and he saw the Holy Spirit descend out of the heavens and rest upon him in the form of a dove. 17 Then suddenly the voice of the Father shouted from the sky, saying, “This is my Son—the Beloved! My greatest delight is in him.”

I believe that these same things will happen to us as we walk in obedience.
I believe that the people who are about to be baptized will experience these same things too.

But how about you? Will you take a step of obedience today? Will you do what Jesus said?

Jesus said that in order to see and enter the kingdom of God we must be Born Again.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.’