08/15/2026
"An unusual format. It's the second in the Baptism series, with a different emphasis of justification. We'll use Romans 3 and 4 to help us, along with the verses that seem to imply baptism is what saves us. So we'll address the idea/teaching that baptism is what saves you. What does the Bible say?" ---Pastor Grant Quimby
The following are his sermon notes for tomorrow's message. Please join us at 10:30 a.m. in person, if able, and on Facebook, if you won't be able to attend in person.
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Baptism II How Are We Justified? 8/16/2026
Romans 3:19-4:25
19-20.) You cannot be justified by the Law. “Justified” = made right or made perfect before God. “Law” = God’s required behavior to be perfect before Him. When a person sees how short they fall of God’s standard, it leaves them without an excuse.
21-22.) The Law is the perfect representation of the Person, character and standard of God. The Law was how He first revealed His righteousness to man. He has now revealed that same righteousness in His Son, and the righteousness of God, found in Christ, becomes ours, “to all and on all who believe”. Not only is it given, but it is also applied!
23-26.) All men are guilty before God (v.19-20), and God is righteous. That presents a problem. But God has redeemed us not by our works, but through the atonement provided by His Son. God did that freely, not under compulsion, and did so to demonstrate His righteousness, meaning, God killed Jesus to demonstrate His holy standard and what happens when it’s not met. Had God let sin remain unpunished, He would be an unjust God. But since He has punished our sin in Christ, He is just and is just when He justifies the believer.
27-31.) What is the conclusion? We are justified by faith, not by outward signs of obedience. It is God who justifies, which establishes the Law. How? The Law demands our death, and Jesus died in our place. The Law is the holy standard of God, and having seen our inability to keep the Law and guiltiness before God because of the Law (v.19-20), the Law drove us to the only One who has ever kept the Law (Gal. 3:24)
4:1-3, 9-10.) How and when was Abraham, the moon worshipper, justified?
4-8.) Any attempt made by man to be righteous before God makes sin more sinful by insulting the work of Jesus. Through faith, God applies the righteousness of Christ, which is the righteousness of the Father, to the believer who is trusting God for it, and He does that apart from works.
11-12.) Circumcision was the SIGN of the seal of righteousness HE ALREADY HAD BY FAITH! If justification truly came by works, Abraham would not be the father of those who believe, but of those who are circumcised.
13-16.) Righteousness is of faith to make much of Christ’s work and God’s grace – not of our works. 17-22.) Abraham believed God. God justified Abraham, making him righteous.
23-25.) Abraham was not justified for himself, but as a literal/historical example of how God justifies a person, and the evidence that Abraham’s justification and our justification are real, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Had Jesus not been perfect and/or perfectly atoned for sin, He would still be dead. But He lives, “Because I live, you too shall live.” __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Colossians 2:11-12
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead
Acts 22:16
And now why are you waiting? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
I Peter 3:21
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge (ἐπερώτημα, eperótéma = answer, response) of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
