Baptism 1

Let's do two sessions on baptism. The first is to discuss its importance and really the necessity of it for salvation. I know that many do not agree with what is to follow. But it is biblical, straight out of God's Word.



John the Baptist was baptizing people all over (Matthew 3:5,6). Jesus insisted on being baptized (Matt. 3:13). At the end of Jesus' life He said, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned," (Mark 16:15-16). Then in Acts 2, after Jesus has ascended into Heaven, Peter preached hard to the Jews in Jerusalem saying they crucified the Lord. Peter said, "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." In Acts 8, God sends Philip to join an Ethiopian Jewish nobleman on a chariot. It says in verse 35, he "preached Jesus to him." That is all that we know that was said. But we know the result. "Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the Eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' " The importance of baptism cannot be ignored. And in Acts 22:16, God sent Ananias to Paul. Ananias said, "Why do you wait? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins." Then read the first verses of Romans 6. This is talking about sin and tells how baptism cleanses sin. And finally, I Peter 3:18-22 tells us that just as Noah and his family were "saved through water (the flood)....baptism now saves us."


As stated before, I know that this is controversial with some people. But it isn't a controversial subject in the Bible; the Bible is very clear on the connection between salvation and baptism. It is interesting that God's word uses different expressions in regard to salvation. It clearly says that one must "believe" to be saved. Elsewhere it emphasizes the importance of "repentance" for salvation. We are saved by "faith," but we also know that we are only saved by the "blood of Jesus." All of these things are involved in salvation. But note that the blood of Jesus, while it is for everyone, isn't going to save everyone; it will save those who believe. It will save those who are willing to repent (change their lives). It will save those who obey Jesus. And it will save those who have been baptized, brought forth as new creatures as we read in Romans 6.


Thank you for reading. See you next week!