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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"Bible Baptism"

Jarrod Jacobs

Baptism is a controversial subject, even today. The reason why it is controversial is because so many today refuse to be baptized, and because so many try to pervert, or flat-out deny the simple Bible passages concerning baptism. Thus, it is necessary for us to study this matter.

What Is Bible Baptism?

Some might say that one is baptized when a priest sprinkles water on a baby. Others claim baptism is when someone pours some water on you. Still others claim that baptism is an immersion in water. Which view is right, or are they all right?

If we are going to talk about "Bible" baptism, we must see what the Bible says about baptism. Peter taught that if we speak, we must "speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11). The Bible says baptism is a command to be followed (Acts 10:48). The Bible also says that baptism is a burial in water, not merely sprinkling or pouring water on someone (Acts 8:36-38; Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12). The Bible says that baptism saves us (I Pet. 3:21). Just as on any other subject, God's word must be respected!

Why Should Anyone Be Baptized?

This is a good question. I believe to answer this question thoroughly, we need to ask, "who authorized baptism for salvation?". The answer is that Jesus Christ authorized baptism. Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:18-19). Mark records, "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" (Mk. 16:15-16). If we want to please our savior and live with Him when this life is over, we will be baptized (Jn. 14:15).

Now that we understand who authorized baptism, we ask, "why should anyone be baptized?" Because baptism is for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Saul was told, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). People should be baptized because it is a command, and because we have examples of people being baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 16:33-34). We should be baptized because baptism puts us into the church (Acts 2:47). When baptized, we will receive spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), including the salvation that has been promised (Acts 22:16; I Pet. 3:21).

Who Should Be Baptized?

At first glance we might say, "Anyone and everyone!" This is not necessarily true. Let us think about the command to be baptized. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus told His disciples, "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 ...." Mark's account says, "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" (Mk. 16:15-16).

What are we commanded to do before we can be baptized? We are to BELIEVE in Christ! Can "everyone" do this? No! Little babies are unable to believe anything. Likewise, some people with mental problems are unable to believe. This belief comes when one is able to hear and comprehend God's word (Rom. 10:17). Some simply cannot do that, and would not be subjects for baptism.

Having distinguished between who can and cannot be baptized, let us consider what one subject to Bible baptism must do to be saved. Is baptism the only thing? No! Nothing "alone" saves us. In order to be saved, one must hear the word of God (Acts 2:22-23; Matt. 17:5). Hearing the gospel produces faith (Rom. 10:17). We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24) and that He died, was buried, and arose the third day (Rom. 1:3-4; I Cor. 15:3-4). This faith motivates us to obey Jesus Christ (Heb. 5:8-9). The faith that saves is the faith that obeys (Jas 2:17-24)!

One who is subject to Bible baptism must then repent of his/her sins. The Greek word for repentance literally means, "About face, forward march!" Repentance is not an option, but a command (Acts 17:30). God also expects those who want to please Him to show "works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:20; II Cor. 7:9). An example of repentance is found in Matthew 21:28-31.

The confession of our faith in Christ is required of those who are subject to Bible baptism. This is a confession of our faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. When we say, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," we affirm our belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 10:32, Jesus says "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven." (See also Rom. 10:10). Acts 8:36-38 is an example of a man making this confession.

Finally, those subject to Bible baptism must then be baptized. Romans 6:1-6, 17-18 describes Bible baptism in detail. There, we see it compared to Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Colossians 2:12 says baptism is a burial, or immersion also! Finally, I Peter 3:21 tells us that baptism saves us! From these passages, we learn that a person subject to Bible baptism must be old enough to be taught, and understand what is taught. He/She must understand God's word enough to be convicted of his/her sins, and want to make the changes necessary to live right in the sight of God. Anyone who cannot do these things is not subject to the gospel. (Ex: Babies, Mentally Retarded, etc.)

What Is Proper Baptism?

Many today are not baptized for the right reasons. Some are not baptized the right way. What is proper baptism? One who is baptized takes the name of Jesus. The Corinthians tried to take the name of the person that baptized them (I Cor. 1:12-14). The denominational world is no different today. When you are "baptized" by them, you take the name of the man that founded that denomination. What does the Bible say? The Bible says no other name but Christ will save (Acts 4:12, 11:26).

Proper baptism is "for the remission of sins." Some teach that you are baptized because you are saved already. The Bible is very clear on this matter. Acts 2:38 says baptism is "for the remission of sins." Please read Acts 22:16. Why did Paul need to wash his sins away if they were already gone (as most denominations suppose)? Every time one was baptized in the Bible, it was for this reason.

Proper baptism is an immersion in water. In fact, the word "baptism" is transliterated from the Greek word "baptizo." This word means "to immerse, to dip, submersion" (Thayer's p. 908-909). Sprinkling or pouring water does not fit this definition. In every case of conversion, people were immersed in water. Acts 8:36-38 is one example. (They "went down into the water", and "came up out of the water".) Paul also described baptism as a "burial" (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12).

A person must be taught the truth in order to have proper baptism. It takes more than just a right act to have a valid (proper) baptism. The right act must be based on the right belief. Error preached, error heard, and error believed is error obeyed. Truth preached, truth heard, and truth believed is truth obeyed! In other words, you cannot be taught wrong and baptized right!

Can One Be Saved Without Being Baptized?

Many say that salvation is a feeling "better felt than told." Most all denominations teach that baptism is something you do after you are saved. They scoff at the proper teaching of baptism, calling it "water salvation." "What saith the scripture?" Does I Peter 3:21 say: "Baptism doth also NOT save us..." or "Baptism doth also NOW save us..."? When we study our Bible with an open mind, we see how simple this subject becomes!

Conclusion

Let us appreciate how important baptism is in the Lord's plan for salvation. This is not something to merely dismiss as unimportant, nor "optional." Do not dismiss this part of God's plan for salvation. Let us help you "put on Christ" if you have not done it, yet. (Gal. 3:27)

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Bible Baptism Illustrated

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