Baptism
Introduction. After reading everything the Holy Spirit has revealed in the gospel about baptism, it is difficult to understand why there is any controversy. If we listened to the many answers given today when asked “what must I do to be saved?”, one would think the Bible has so little to say that disciples must struggle with that answer. Yet when one searches the Scriptures, they can see very quickly that from the very beginning of the gospel, God gave a special role to baptism to bring salvation and remission of sins.
God sent John to baptize to prepare Israel for their Messiah and reveal Jesus to Israel (Jn. 1:24-33; Lk. 3:3-6). This should give clear indication of the importance baptism would be given in the gospel. John’s entire message revolved around baptism. “John came preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mk 1:4-5). It was such a vital part of his message that the Holy Spirit gave him the name “John the Baptist”. Not only was baptism universal, but its purpose of bringing remission of sins was made equally clear.
In the earliest days of Jesus’ ministry, He preached the gospel of the kingdom. He had every opportunity to refute the importance of John’s baptism. Yet not only was Jesus baptized “to fulfill all righteousness”, but He too “made and baptized more disciples than John.” Jesus later made acceptance or rejection of John’s baptism the difference between justifying God by being baptized or rejecting God’s will if they refused.
This could have easily come to an end after Jesus returned to heaven and the gospel was to be taken into all the world and every nation. Yet not once but twice Jesus commanded it. He wanted baptism to continue as an integral part of the message, linking baptism to salvation in the Gospel of Mark and being made a disciple in Matthew’s gospel.
Many contend that Jesus never intended baptism to be seen as necessary for salvation. They believe any interpretation of Scripture demanding baptism before salvation is flawed and a false conclusion. Like those in Berea we must “search the Scriptures to find out whether these things are so.” (Acts 17:11)
Peter was the first to preach the gospel. In Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost and roughly 50 days after Jesus’ sacrificial death, the Holy Spirit gathered a crowd in Jerusalem with the sound of a mighty wind and tongues of fire on the heads of the apostles. Then while Peter preached, all who were present heard that sermon in their native language, proving conclusively that these words came directly from the Holy Spirit. The proofs were powerful and at the end of the sermon, Peter said, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” They were grieved and cut to the heart because they believed Peter, realizing Jesus was their Messiah, the Christ, whom they had recently crucified. Unsure what was to come next, they asked “what must we do.”
Many today would have said that nothing more needed be done. Those who believe ”faith only” brings salvation would not answer as Peter did, inspired by the Holy Spirit. He placed both repentance and baptism before remission of sins.
Not wishing to be misunderstood, it was further clarified that of the 3000 who were added to them that day they were all baptized, and in being baptized they “gladly received his word.”
The book of Acts is a history of the early church. It covers a period of about 30 years. There are many sermons and many responses. Yet the same command is given again and again.
When Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch, he knew nothing about Jesus. As Philip preached Jesus to him, the moment he saw some water, his mind went to baptism. Why would he do that? If Philip had not preached the importance of baptism why would the eunuch respond like this? Even more curious, why didn’t Philip correct him and let him know baptism was unnecessary?
After seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus asked Jesus what he should do. Jesus told him to go into Damascus and he would be told what to do. Jesus then appeared to a disciple named Ananias and sent him to preach to Saul. When he arrived, he found Saul fasting in godly sorrow and repentance. What more needed to be said? He believed and had repented. Yet once again, baptism was placed between faith and washing away sin.
Peter was the first to preach to Israel and first to preach the gospel to Gentiles. As he was speaking to Cornelius and Gentiles he had assembled, God, wanting to prove Gentiles were also acceptable to Him, allowed them to speak in tongues. Peter knew this meant God approved of them and thought them ready to obey the gospel. Peter did not leave them with faith alone! As he had told the Jews back in chapter 2, he then commanded the Gentiles to do the same thing - they must be baptized in water!
When the Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved, Paul’s initial answer was that he needed to believe on the Lord Jesus. This is one of the few passages where baptism was not immediately mentioned. Yet it is still there!
Conclusion. The scriptural evidence is clear, forceful, and compelling. Yet still multitudes continue to reject baptism, content to go before the Lord with faith alone. One can only urge them to remember that as the Pharisees rejected God’s will by refusing baptism, the same thing will happen today. Jesus warned that not everyone who believes in Jesus and calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom, but only those who also do the will of God. Multitudes will stand before Him on the last day to hear, “I never knew you”. Not even citing alleged miracles as proof will they avoid this fate. Jesus will tell them to depart. By not submitting to baptism, they reject His command (law) and thus become lawless.
God sent John to baptize to prepare Israel for their Messiah and reveal Jesus to Israel (Jn. 1:24-33; Lk. 3:3-6). This should give clear indication of the importance baptism would be given in the gospel. John’s entire message revolved around baptism. “John came preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mk 1:4-5). It was such a vital part of his message that the Holy Spirit gave him the name “John the Baptist”. Not only was baptism universal, but its purpose of bringing remission of sins was made equally clear.
In the earliest days of Jesus’ ministry, He preached the gospel of the kingdom. He had every opportunity to refute the importance of John’s baptism. Yet not only was Jesus baptized “to fulfill all righteousness”, but He too “made and baptized more disciples than John.” Jesus later made acceptance or rejection of John’s baptism the difference between justifying God by being baptized or rejecting God’s will if they refused.
- And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. (Lk. 7:29-30)
This could have easily come to an end after Jesus returned to heaven and the gospel was to be taken into all the world and every nation. Yet not once but twice Jesus commanded it. He wanted baptism to continue as an integral part of the message, linking baptism to salvation in the Gospel of Mark and being made a disciple in Matthew’s gospel.
- "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk. 16:15-16)
- “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Mt. 28:18-20)
Many contend that Jesus never intended baptism to be seen as necessary for salvation. They believe any interpretation of Scripture demanding baptism before salvation is flawed and a false conclusion. Like those in Berea we must “search the Scriptures to find out whether these things are so.” (Acts 17:11)
Peter was the first to preach the gospel. In Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost and roughly 50 days after Jesus’ sacrificial death, the Holy Spirit gathered a crowd in Jerusalem with the sound of a mighty wind and tongues of fire on the heads of the apostles. Then while Peter preached, all who were present heard that sermon in their native language, proving conclusively that these words came directly from the Holy Spirit. The proofs were powerful and at the end of the sermon, Peter said, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” They were grieved and cut to the heart because they believed Peter, realizing Jesus was their Messiah, the Christ, whom they had recently crucified. Unsure what was to come next, they asked “what must we do.”
Many today would have said that nothing more needed be done. Those who believe ”faith only” brings salvation would not answer as Peter did, inspired by the Holy Spirit. He placed both repentance and baptism before remission of sins.
- Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Not wishing to be misunderstood, it was further clarified that of the 3000 who were added to them that day they were all baptized, and in being baptized they “gladly received his word.”
- Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added (Acts 2:41)
The book of Acts is a history of the early church. It covers a period of about 30 years. There are many sermons and many responses. Yet the same command is given again and again.
When Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch, he knew nothing about Jesus. As Philip preached Jesus to him, the moment he saw some water, his mind went to baptism. Why would he do that? If Philip had not preached the importance of baptism why would the eunuch respond like this? Even more curious, why didn’t Philip correct him and let him know baptism was unnecessary?
- Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:35-36)
After seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus asked Jesus what he should do. Jesus told him to go into Damascus and he would be told what to do. Jesus then appeared to a disciple named Ananias and sent him to preach to Saul. When he arrived, he found Saul fasting in godly sorrow and repentance. What more needed to be said? He believed and had repented. Yet once again, baptism was placed between faith and washing away sin.
- And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)
Peter was the first to preach to Israel and first to preach the gospel to Gentiles. As he was speaking to Cornelius and Gentiles he had assembled, God, wanting to prove Gentiles were also acceptable to Him, allowed them to speak in tongues. Peter knew this meant God approved of them and thought them ready to obey the gospel. Peter did not leave them with faith alone! As he had told the Jews back in chapter 2, he then commanded the Gentiles to do the same thing - they must be baptized in water!
- Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:46-48)
When the Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved, Paul’s initial answer was that he needed to believe on the Lord Jesus. This is one of the few passages where baptism was not immediately mentioned. Yet it is still there!
- And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:30-32
- Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized (Acts 16:32-33)
Conclusion. The scriptural evidence is clear, forceful, and compelling. Yet still multitudes continue to reject baptism, content to go before the Lord with faith alone. One can only urge them to remember that as the Pharisees rejected God’s will by refusing baptism, the same thing will happen today. Jesus warned that not everyone who believes in Jesus and calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom, but only those who also do the will of God. Multitudes will stand before Him on the last day to hear, “I never knew you”. Not even citing alleged miracles as proof will they avoid this fate. Jesus will tell them to depart. By not submitting to baptism, they reject His command (law) and thus become lawless.
- "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Mt. 7:21-23)
- "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? (Lk. 6:46)