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!