Most people accept that there are some conditions of salvation. It may be that faith is a condition that many hold as the condition that saves man, or that confession is what man must do to be saved, or even repentance is the condition that one must do to receive the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of their souls. It is clearly taught in the New Testament that each of these conditions are necessary for the forgiveness of sin, but it is just as clearly taught that baptism is a necessary condition for man to comply with if he is to be saved. Let us notice what the Bible teaches about baptism and salvation.
In Colossians 2:12, we read, "Buried with him in baptism, where in also ye are risen with him through faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Paul is telling the Christians at Colossee that they were buried in baptism and at which time there sins were removed by faith in the working of God through Christ's death. The reason for being buried in baptism is in the faith and the working of God in the resurrecting of Christ from the dead. Having this faith in God and His power we then submit to baptism by faith and become sharers in the new life and the hope of eternal life.
Faith makes baptism complete. As the Hebrew writer wrote, "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). As faith is essential it is just as important to be obedient to God by faith in doing what He has commanded (James 1:22; 2:14-26). In John 3:5 Jesus told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Jews that Peter was preaching to were convicted of their sins and this prompted them to ask, based on their faith that God had raised the crucified Christ from the dead, "What shall we do?" Peter responded, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (vs. 37-38). Peter did not leave the impression that baptism is some "outward sign" that their sins had been forgiven, but rather that in order to have their sins forgiven they must "repent and be baptized". Again in the conversion of Saul, we have a man living "in all good conscience", a religious man (Acts 22:3-5), praying (Acts 9:11), having confessed Jesus as Lord (Acts 22:10). Ananias comes into where Paul is and says, "Why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). This New Testament again make it clear that faith was present and that it was faith in the working of God that cause Paul and those at Pentecost to be buried in baptism to remove their sins.
Baptism's connection with salvation is often refused to be believed. However we have just noticed that baptism is connected with the washing away of man's sins. Peter makes a connection between baptism and salvation when he speaks of Noah. Noah did all that God commanded him to do (Genesis 6:22). God warned Noah of the impending destruction of earth by a flood and through Noah's faith he obey God and built an "ark to saving of his house" (Hebrews 11:7). Peter then says that this is "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). Notice Peter describes the deliverance of Noah and his family from the flood as even baptism now saves us. This is done at baptism because :
| 1. Our sins are "washed away" (Acts 22:16).
| 2. The old man of sin is put to death and we arise as a new
man in Christ (Romans 6:4-6).
| 3. We enter a new relationship in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).
| 4. In this new relationship we are taken from the kingdom of
darkness, translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son
(Colossians 1:13).
| |
In baptism, the Bible teaches that one should not be concerned about the "outward sign", but "the answer of a good conscience toward God" (1 Peter 3:21b). The response of the "good conscience" will cause one to:
| 1.Believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God, having died for sins and was raised
from the dead (John 8:24).
| 2. Repent of sins and turn
away from them and turn toward God and His will (Acts 17:30; Luke
13:3).
| 3. Confess that Jesus is the Christ, and will
confess Jesus daily by presenting his life as a living sacrifice
(Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32; Romans 12:1).
| 4. Being baptized to have his sins forgiven. Thus being
added to the family of God (Acts 2:38, 47).
| |
Have you done what the Bible teaches? Baptism only saves when God's plan has fully been followed. Do not be like those in Noah's day and perish because of a lack of faith to fully submit to God and His plan.
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 11/2/97.