#67: The Necessity of Baptism in Jesus Name Alone

The sermon draws a parallel between the Old Testament practice of circumcision and New Testament baptism in Jesus' name. Just as circumcision was a physical and spiritual mark of God's covenant with Israel, baptism in Jesus' name is the New Testament equivalent, symbolizing the cutting away of the sinful nature inherited from Adam. The division between the circumcised and uncircumcised in the Old Testament is seen as a foreshadowing of the division between those baptized in Jesus' name and those who are not.

Circumcision was a painful, physical act that left a permanent mark, much like baptism, which involves a spiritual transformation and a public declaration of faith. Circumcision in the Old Testament was not just a physical act but a sign of obedience and covenant with God. This concept is extended to baptism, which is viewed as a necessary step in the Christian faith, marking the believer's entry into a new covenant with God through Jesus Christ.

The sermon also references the Jewish concept of "karet," or being spiritually cut off, to stress the importance of baptism in Jesus' name. It likens circumcision to putting on the body of Christ, a process that is fulfilled in the New Testament through baptism. The necessity of baptism is further illustrated by the story of the Israelites in Joshua's time, who could not enter the Promised Land without being circumcised, paralleling the idea that believers must be baptized to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

In conclusion, the sermon urges all believers to be baptized in Jesus' name, identifying with Christ and participating in the covenant that began with Abraham. It is through this baptism that one truly becomes a child of Abraham and an heir to God's promises.