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To Bible Baptism
The
importance of baptism is set forth in scripture. "And
now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts
Is
baptism really important? Baptism is a very important and often
misunderstood subject. Baptism is important because it is commanded by
Christ. "And he said unto them, Go
ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16) Baptism is to be done by
the authority of Jesus with its purpose being remissions of sins. "Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost." (Acts
The blood of
Jesus was shed in His death. "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced
his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." (John 19:34)
Baptism is important because it brings one into contact with the death and
blood of Jesus. "Know ye not, that so many of us
as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we
are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)
Baptism is
important because it puts one into Christ. "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." (Galatians 3:26-27) The Bible teaches that
baptism is necessary for our salvation. "The like
figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of
the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21)
Every command
of God is important and baptism is a command of God. "And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they
him to tarry certain days." (Acts
Must
I be baptized for the right purpose? There is a definite reason for
every command of Christ. This is true of the command to observe the Lord's
Supper. It must be done in the way and for the reason commanded by God.
"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord,
unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians
11:27) Unless we obey for the proper purpose our obedience is not acceptable.
This is also true of God's commandment to be baptized. Baptism must be done for
the purpose Christ intended. Following faith, repentance and confession one
must be baptized to be saved. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark
Baptism
brings about the new birth. The new life begins after baptism. Those who are baptized into Christ arise from
baptism to a newness of life. "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)
Baptism puts
one into the body or
The purpose
of baptism is clear and man must not corrupt it. One must be baptized to be
saved. Have you been baptized according to the scriptures?
Is
baptism immersion, sprinkling or pouring? The method of baptism is just
as important as the purpose. Bible baptism is a burial in water. Jesus was
baptized by going down into the water and coming up out of the water. "And
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove, and lighting upon him." (Matthew 3:16) The baptism submitted to by
Jesus was both a burial and it was in water. (Mark 1:9-10)
When John
baptized people "much water" was required. "And John also was
baptizing in Aenon near to Salim,
because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
(John 3:23)
On two
occasions the Bible plainly says baptism is a burial. Paul wrote to the Romans
and said, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) To the Colossians he
said, "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are raised with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the
dead." (Colossians 2:12)
Man has
several methods of baptism, but God has only one. Bible baptism is always a
burial in water for salvation. Have you been baptized according to the
scripture?
Who
may be baptized? The doctrines of men say babies may be baptized. The
Bible says those who gladly receive the word were baptized. "Then they
that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts
The Bible
teaches that only those who believe may be baptized. "He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned." (Mark
The Bible
teaches that those who repent may be baptized. Repentance is a change of heart
leading to a change of life. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts
Men and women
were baptized but babies were never baptized. "But when they believed
Philip preaching the things concerning the
The Bible
teaches that baptism is essential to one's salvation. Have you been baptized
according to the Lord's commands? If not, you should be. "And
now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts