INCLUDE THE SUBJECT OF BAPTISM IN
A SERMON ALMOST EVERY SUNDAY
By
Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001)
(Chapter 10 from Dr. Hyle's excellent book, Let's Baptize More Converts)
Just one sentence could be said about baptism each Lord's day. In other words, the general atmosphere of the church should be that for a Christian not being baptized is a sin and that to be obedient a new convert must be baptized. The people should get the idea that baptism has nothing to do with salvation. However, they should be made to feel that it is a very important step, and that when they get saved, God wants them to be baptized. This certainly does not deviate from the scriptural practice and the example as set forth in the Book of Acts.
Now look at Matthew 28: 19 and 20. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am, with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Notice, if you would please, the imperatives in these verses: Go, teach, baptize and teach. You will notice the simple command of Christ is that we go and tell people how to be saved, baptize them after they are saved, and teach than to do what God commanded us to do. Since God's command to us was go and get people saved and get them baptized, then we are to teach others to go and get people saved and get them baptized. Notice the divine order: Go, teach all nations, baptize, and then train them to be soul winners. This is God's plan.
Let us carry out the Great Commission to its fullest, remembering that people are lost without Christ and need to be saved, and they too need to be baptized and trained to go back and bring others to the Saviour.
Let's increase our converts and our baptisms.
