Historical Posts

Baptism

Purpose: Baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)

Even though one must repent of sins (Luke 13:3,5), the sins are not removed until one is baptized.

Ananias told Saul to “arise and be baptized to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16).”

Baptism washes the entire body to cleanse its conscience before God (1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:22).

Demonstrated: Enough water must be used to wash sins away.

Philip went down into the water with the Ethiopian eunuch, baptized him, and came up out of the water (Acts 8:36-39).

Sprinkling or pouring is not found in the Bible; rather, more water is needed to immerse someone as Philip did the Ethiopian eunuch. John baptized where there was much water (John 3:23).

Symbolic: Why is much water needed to immerse a new convert?

Jesus died according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the 3rd day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

Likewise, a person dies to sin, is buried with Christ in baptism, and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-6).

When the person is raised again, the body of sin is destroyed! What happens to sin?

It is all washed away and nailed to the cross with Christ (Colossians 2:12-14).

Thus, we are forgiven and the sacrifice of Christ is made of full effect.

Benefits: What happens when one is baptized into Christ?

He receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Acts 9:17-18). This is also the only way one is placed in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27).

Why does one want to be in Christ? Because, that is where all spiritual blessings are: the redemption and forgiveness of sins, the hope of eternal life, the fellowship with God and others; and many more things found nowhere else (Ephesians 1:3ff.).

Essential: Is baptism then really necessary?

Consider the words of Jesus Himself: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

Peter also said in 1 Peter 3:21, “there is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God…).”