Online Articles
Baptism
There are many misunderstandings concerning the biblical teaching of baptism. This is especially true concerning the necessity of baptism for salvation. Instead of listening to what man says, let's examing what God's word says regarding baptism.
Baptism Stands Between The Sinner And Salvation
"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). There would be no misunderstanding if Jesus would have said, “He who believes and is baptized will receive a Mercedes-Benz.” Why is it that the simplicity is lost when dealing with our salvation? The main reason is that many are deceived by men. “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Will we accept the clear teaching of Jesus or be deceived by the tradition of men?
Baptism Stands Between The Sinner And The Remission Of Sins
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Both repentance and baptism are in order to obtain the remission of sins. Why can’t men respond to the gospel the way Peter said on the day of Pentecost?
Baptism Stands Between The Sinner And Having His Sins Washed Away.
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Paul asked, “What shall I do Lord?” (Acts 22:10). Jesus said it would be told what he must do (Acts 9:6). He needed to be baptized in order to have his sins washed away.
Baptism Stands Between The Sinner And Being Of Christ
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). A person cannot say they are “of” someone unless they were crucified for them and baptized into their name. Therefore, one cannot say they are “of” Christ unless they have been baptized in His name.
Baptism Stands In The Way Of The Sinner and Rejoicing Because Of Forgiveness
The Ethiopian eunuch did not go on his way rejoicing until after he was baptized (Acts 8:39). The Philippian Jailer did not rejoice until after he was baptized (Acts 16:33-34). Saul of Tarsus was in such agony of the soul that he did not eat or drink until after he was baptized (Acts 9:19). There should be great rejoicing when a soul obeys the gospel and is forgiven of his sins. However, true rejoicing only follows baptism.
I hope you can see from the Bible, the importance of baptism. There is no salvation without it. There is nothing magical about the water. It is not the water itself that saves, but that God simply chose this action as a part of our obedience. If you love the Lord you will do what he says.
