II Corinthians 7:4

Do I understand that I am personally guilty of sin?

• Children start out innocent. Acts 2:38; Luke 18:15

• But at some point, God starts holding us accountable for our sins.

  • Numbers 14:29; Deuteronomy 1:39 – Twenty was the cutoff age in the wilderness, but this is not a universal rule we see elsewhere in the Bible.

  • II Chronicles 34:3 – Josiah started serving God at age 16.

• Baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience.

  • I Peter 3:21

  • Guilt à Baptism à Clean conscience

  • Acts 9:5-6, 9 – Saul realizes he is guilty.

  • Acts 22:16

• Notice how it’s personal.

  • Acts 2:23, 36

  • Acts 9:19

  • Acts 16:34

Do I know the good news?

• Matthew 28:18-20

• Acts 2:40-41

• Acts 8:12, 35

• The act of baptism is based on Jesus and His death.

• Romans 6:3

• We don’t have to know it all to be baptized. None of us do!

Am I convinced?

• Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:12-13

• Acts 17:2-3, 11; 18:8 – People were reasoning through the scriptures and believing!

• Hebrews 11:6

• Romans 10:8

Am I prepared to start a new life?

• I must repent.

  • Acts 2:41; Ezekiel 18:30-32; Jonah 3:4-5, 8; Acts 26:20

  • Change of mind à change of life

• I must prepare to walk in newness of life.

  • Romans 6:3-4; Luke 14:26; II Corinthians 7:8-10

  • Repentance is lifelong!