really looking forward to what the Lord has for us today today we're going to have our water baptism

and at about 1.30 this afternoon after lunch and after a time of fellowship should give everyone

enough time.

We're going to just meet out front.

And for those who are going to be water baptized today,

all you really need is an extra pair of clothes and a towel if you want.

You can change after the service.

If you're going to be baptized today this afternoon and you're in this service, it's not too late if, well, maybe after the teaching,

because we're going to talk about water baptism and what water baptism is. And perhaps in some

ways, more importantly, what water baptism is not so I want to

begin by looking at two reasons that every believer in and follower of Jesus Christ needs to be water baptized at least once. I've been baptized

several times, not because it didn't take the first time, and I hope to maybe explain that

a little bit more as we get into that.

So after that, we're also going to look at two things that water baptism does not do.

What water baptism is not.

So let's get started.

First, water baptism is actually a biblical command for those who are believers in Jesus Christ.

We affectionately refer to this as the Great Commission in Matthew's Gospel, the 28th chapter, verses 19 and 20.

Listen to what Jesus said.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always

...