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Monday, November 9, 2020

Baptism

By Clifton Angel

    Baptism: an immersion or submersion of an object or person.  It  is  likened to a burial,  in  which  one  is completely  covered  in  dirt/rock  (Romans  6:3–4). However, the burial or immersion of interest for this study is in water. In the words of a friend, “What is so  special  about  being  dunked  in  water?” I  kindly submit  to  you  that  baptism  is  important  because God said so—not me. Let’s consider some Scriptural reasons for the need to be baptized.

Baptism Stands Between the Sinner and Salvation
      “He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved”  (Mark  16:16). Jesus’  words  are  simple  and  “unget-around-able.”  We  should  be able  to  end  this  article  here,  but  for  emphasis  we  will  continue. Peter reemphasized this teaching at 1 Peter 3:21:  “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the  removal of the filth of  the  flesh,  but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  toward  God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (NKJV).

Baptism Stands Between the Sinner and Forgiveness 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”  (Acts 2:38).

Baptism Stands Between the Sinner and Sins Being Washed Away
    “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Baptism Stands Between the Sinner and the Cleansing Blood of Jesus
      “And  from  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  faithful  witness,  and  the  first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5). Coupling this verse with  Acts 22:16 shows that the point at which one contacts Jesus’ blood is baptism.

Baptism stands between the sinner and addition to the Lord’s church
     Reading Acts 2:37–47 is a clear foundation to seeing that those who are  baptized  are  those  who Jesus  adds  to  His  church.  Why  is  this important? Because His church  is  the only body of the saved  (see Ephesians 5:23; Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18).
      The list could continue. For, baptism stands between the sinner and being  in  Christ  (Galatians  3:27),  which  leads  to  a  host  of  other things the sinner lacks if he does not submit to baptism: All spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), Absence of condemnation (Romans 8:1), A real reason to rejoice (Philippians 4:4), just to name a few.
      Certainly,  there is the need to hear (Romans 10:17), believe  (Mark 16:16), repent (Acts 2:38), and confess (Acts 8:37). Yet, if all of these be accomplished and one lacks obedience to God’s  command  of baptism, he remains a sinner without salvation. On the other hand, if one has  been  immersed  in  water  without  faith, repentance,  and confession,  he  has  only  gotten wet.  Do  we  see  the  importance  of baptism?
- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/


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