Baptism and Church Membership, 2/19/2012

Summary

The sermon emphasizes the inseparable connection between baptism and church membership, asserting that baptism is for believers only and must be performed by an ordained minister of a true church through immersion. It highlights the example of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch as a scriptural model, stressing that baptism is not to make one a child of God but to manifest that they already are. The preacher also clarifies that Jesus did not baptize personally but his disciples did, and that baptism automatically incorporates one into the local church body. The sermon concludes by underscoring the importance of church discipline and commitment through membership.