The Bible and baptism
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
In the New Testament we read of the baptism of Moses, the baptism of suffering, the baptism of John, the baptism of fire, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and water baptism. But as Paul was writing the book of Ephesians about 63 A.D. he stated that there is only one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).
In this passage, Paul is referring to water baptism since the baptism of fire is reserved until the day of judgment (Matthew 3:11; 13:41,42) and the other baptisms have served their purpose.
The Bible teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation. Shortly before Jesus ascended into heaven he commanded, “And He said to them, ‘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).
On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) we find that about 3,000 people were baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38,41). In the New Testament baptism always comes before salvation. There is not one case of one being saved and then being baptized.
Saul was instructed, “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). Saul was told that his sins would be washed away (forgiven) after he was baptized. Baptism is essential to salvation!
The Bible teaches that it is baptism that puts one into Christ and his church. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).
Baptism is a likeness (a figure) of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
In baptism we die to sin and are raised up a new creature (person) in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). We must be in Christ, for that is where salvation is found.
Paul said, “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (II Timothy 2:10).
Baptism also puts one into Christ’s church. In I Corinthians 12:13 the Bible says, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…” The body and the church are one and the same according to Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.”
Salvation is in Christ, and the saved are found in His church (body). We must be baptized to get into Christ and his church where salvation is found!
The Bible teaches that baptism is a burial (immersion) in water. “Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4).
In Acts 8 we read that both Phillip and the Eunuch “…went down both into the water” (verse 39). Baptism is a burial in water!
The Bible also teaches that baptism must be preceded by Faith (Mark 16:16); Repentance (Acts 17:30,31); and Confession of our faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10). Following baptism we must live the Christian life faithfully (Revelation 2:10). This excludes infants and/or small children from being baptized. One must be old enough to have faith; to repent of his sins, etc.
We have just noted a few Bible passages concerning the subject of baptism. I would encourage you to take your Bible and a good concordance and study what the Bible teaches concerning the subject of baptism in water for the remission of sins!
Have you been baptized in the right manner; for the right reason? “And now why are you waiting? arise, and be baptized…”
