Baptism is a often discussed topic for many people. Some people claim that those who believe baptism is essential for salvation are teaching “salvation by works and not grace.” This is not true. The Apostle Peter wrote that “Baptism saves us” because it is “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” Every single example of conversion in the New Testament involves baptism. The Apostle Paul, at his conversion, was told to “arise and be baptized, washing away your sins.” Jesus himself said “those who believe and are baptized shall be saved.” We invite you to read more about what the scriptures say concerning baptism.
To understand fully that baptism is a God decreed part of the plan of salvation, consider Isaiah 59:1-5 where we are told that God can save and hear our pleas but our iniquities have separated us from God. God will not tolerate sin nor allow sin in his presence. This is a universal declaration. But, because of His perfect love for us, God devised a plan whereby we might be cleansed of our sins, thus restoring us to His fellowship and allowing us to be saved and our prayers heard. This is grace…God did have “have” to provide mankind with any plan at all…He did so because of His grace. Jesus was the instrument through which this plan was to come to fruition. This plan was first alluded to by God in the Garden of Eden when man sinned and God told Satan that one would come who’s heal Satan would bruise but would crush his (Satan’s) head. (Genesis 3:15) Jesus said in Luke 16:16 to “Go ye unto all the world and preach the gospel…those who believe and are baptized are saved but those that believe not are damned”. This preaching began on the Day of Pentecost immediately following Christ’s resurrection. The apostles were given the power to preach this Gospel without error.
Paul wrote that “as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Paul also wrote in Romans 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”. Baptism then is part of God’s plan for us to follow sybollically in the Savior’s death, burial, and resurrection. Our “death” is the burying of the “old man of sin”. Our new spiritual life begins when we are raised from the watery grave of baptism.
Baptism is part of God’s plan for entering into the church and we, as men, have no right nor power to choose otherwise. Consider the account of Paul’s conversion as he told it in a Roman court. Paul told how Ananias, a Christian, was sent by God to Paul and told him what he had to do. In Acts 22:16 we read that Ananias said to Paul; “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” HOW MANY TIMES HAS IT BEEN SAID THAT ALL A PERSON NEEDS TO DO TO BE SAVED IS TO CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD? Yet, here we see what the scriptures say a person must do in order to “call on the name of the Lord”. Calling on the name of the Lord must include baptism!
So we can see that baptism is an integral part of the plan of salvation instituted by Jesus Christ as part of His Gospel, the Good News. Baptism, along with faith, repentance, and confession, is part of God’s grace. So, the Bible declares that “By grace we are saved” (Ephesians 2: 5,8) and so we are because the plan of salvation, which includes baptism, is part of the plan provided by God which we did not deserve. This plan is a result of God’s love for us and His desire that we should be in a relationship with Him. We certainly invite you to read what the scriptures say about God’s love and His plan for us. Please free to contact us if you have questions or comments.
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