Someone has well said, Faith changes the mind, repentance changes the conduct, confession changes the allegiance, but baptism changes the relationship. In other words, baptism puts us into Christ. Paul declares in Gal. 3:26-27 "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." It is one thing to have our private opinion about baptism and another to just let the Bible guide us into the truth. We must approach the subject with an open mind.
Let us look at the following facts:
1. Baptism is a vital part of the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:18-20)
"(18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, {even} unto the end of the world. Amen. "
2. Baptism is the only act in the word of God performed in the name of the Holy Three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19)."Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
3. Jesus taught that baptism is a part of the plan of salvation. (Mark 16:16)"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
The Bible teaches that it takes the entire plan of salvation and obedience to all of the commands of Christ to save a sinner. It is not a question of whether we are saved by faith, but a question of whether we are saved by faith only. It is not a question of salvation by repentance but a question of salvation minus the rest of God's plan.
Thus we see:
WE ARE SAVED BY
FAITH (Not by FAITH ALONE)
REPENTANCE (Not by REPENTANCE ALONE)
BAPTISM (Not by BAPTISM ALONE)
IT TAKES ALL OF GOD'S PLAN
It is a dangerous doctrine that teaches a man can be saved by doing only part of the things God requires, Not only dangerous, but false. Students do not be misled. The Bible is always right. In Luke 7:29-30, the Pharisees and Publicans rejected the counsel of God when they failed to be baptized. Peter declares in 1 Peter. 3:20, 21, "eight souls were saved by water. (21) The like figure whereunto {even} baptism doth also now save us..."
Read the following scriptures carefully.
1. It was who gave the command to be baptized. (Matt. 28:19-20
2. We are baptized in the name of the , and of the and of the . (Matt. 28:19)
This relationship of baptism with the Trinity shows that it is no light matter but rather is a matter that has the endorsement of the Father, His Son and the Spirit of God. Let us not, therefore, be guilty of regarding baptism as a matter of no importance.
3. Baptism is a in water. (Romans 6:4; Col.2:12)
Baptism is always referred to in the scripture as a burial in water, symbolic of the burial of Christ in the tomb. Anything other than a burial would destroy the symbolism of the burial of Jesus in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea.
4. When Philip baptized the Ethiopian nobleman, they went down both the , both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. After the baptism, they both came up of the (Acts 8:38,39)
Philip here baptized the eunuch as all other inspired men baptized, by burying him in water.
5. How many baptisms do we have now? . (Eph. 4:5)
The religious world practices many baptisms today but the Word of God tells us how many are in force today. The one baptism of Eph. 4:5, is the same that Philip practiced in Acts 8:36-39; a burial in water.
6. Which always comes first, belief or baptism? (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:38-39)
7. What two things are promised to the sincere person who is baptized?
(Acts 2:38)
1. of sins.
2. Gift of the .
8. A sinner is saved (before or after) baptism. (Mark 16;16)
9. Saul of Tarsus was told to arise and be baptized to away his . (Acts 22:16)
Having our sins washed away is promised after we have obeyed the Lord's command to be baptized.
10. Peter says that baptism doth now also us. (1 Peter 3:21)
Peter did not share the opinion of many today who declare that baptism is not essential to salvation. He said it is a part of saving us.
11. We get into Christ by being _. (Romans 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27)
Ephesians 1:3, tells us that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. In order for us to enjoy the spiritual blessings that God has for us, we must be in Christ and in order for us to be in Christ, we must be baptized into Him.
12. Salvation is Christ and not out of Him. (2 Cor.5:17)
Salvation is in Christ; we are baptized into Christ, therefore baptism is necessary to salvation.
13. From your study of faith, repentance and confession and baptism, would you say that baptism with any obedience to any of the other commands would save one from sin? .
The careful student has now noted that baptism is necessary to salvation and was made so by Jesus. The question then arises, why is baptism so important? Look at the following chart.
THE HOW AND WHAT OF BAPTISM
WHAT BAPTISM REQUIRES:
1. Water----------------------------------Acts 10:48
2. Much water-----------------------------John 3:23
3. Coming to water------------------------Acts 8:36
4. Going down into the water--------------Acts 8:38
5. Burial in water------------------------Rom. 6:4
6. Planting-------------------------------Rom. 6:5
7. Resurrection---------------------------Col. 2:12
8. Washing of water-----------------------Eph. 5:25
9. Coming up out of the water-------------Acts 8:38
WHAT BAPTISM IS FOR:
1. Into the name--------------------------Matt. 28:19
2. Salvation------------------------------Mark 16:16
3. Remission of sins----------------------Acts 2:38
4. Rejoicing------------------------------Acts 8:38
5. Wash away sins-------------------------Acts 22:16
6. Into Christ, Put on Christ-------------Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27
7. New Life-------------------------------Rom. 6:3, 4
8. Sanctifies, cleanses-------------------Eph. 5:25, 26
9. SAVES US-------------------------------1 Peter 3:21
Baptism is the act that shows the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is spoken of by Paul as the "form of doctrine delivered" in
Rom. 6:17. The word form means pattern. When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His death and are raised to walk in newness of life. Hear
Paul: "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
***All Bible texts and quotations are taken from the King James Version.
|