SOME THOUGHTS ON BAPTISM

BIBLICAL  BAPTISMS

The first mention of baptism in the Bible, is found in the New Testament:

Matthew 3:1-7 - "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias (Isaiah 40:3), saying, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.  Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."

Some students of God's Word suggest that the ritual cleansing of sacrificial animals, items used in the Tabernacle, lepers, and women follow menstruation and childbirth, are types of baptism, but there is one very obvious difference:  New Testament baptism does not make one temporarily acceptable or righteous!  New Testament baptism is an act of obedience which follows salvation, and it is salvation that results in our eternal righteousness.  Christians are already counted as righteous when we believe the Gospel message!  Righteousness, the state of man that is as God demands for fellowship with Him; holiness; sinless; is the direct result of faith in Jesus:

Romans 9:30 - "What shall we say then?  That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith."
1 Corinthians 5:21 - "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
Philippians 3:9 - "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Today, many believe that baptism is required to be saved.  Before I give some examples from the New Testament that prove that belief is wrong, let me list a few notable Bible characters who were not baptized:  Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, John the Baptist, and the thief on the cross.

Hebrews 6:1-2 - "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Salvation is by faith alone, and it follows belief in the Gospel message:

Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations*, baptizing them** in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them*** to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen."

[Notes:  * - "preach the Gospel" - salvation results from hearing the Gospel and believing it - Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; etc.  ** - baptism follows belief - Acts 8:34-38; 19:1-7; etc. *** - "make disciples" - 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:2; etc.]

Hebrews 6:1-2 - "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God*, of the doctrine of baptisms**, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."

[Notes:  The order of events which are foundational for Christians:  * - turning to God by faith rather than by doing religious works - Eph. 2:9; Ti. 3:5; etc.  ** - the issue of baptisms - Acts 19:3; Rom. 6:3; Gal.3:27; etc.]  

THE QUESTIONS FOR YOU TODAY ARE THESE: 

- HAS GOD USED YOU TO LEAD SOMEONE TO CHRIST BY FAITH IN THE GOSPEL?

- IF SO, HAVE YOU SHOWED THAT CHRIST COMMANDED US TO BAPTIZE THOSE WHO RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL BY FAITH?
 
- AND FINALLY, HAVE YOU ENCOURAGED BAPTIZED BELIEVERS TO FIND A CHURCH THAT WILL FEED THE NEW BELIEVER WITH ACCURATE TEACHING FROM GOD'S WORD?

IF NOT, WHY NOT?