Baptism





          Because baptism is such an often misunderstood and controversial 
subject, this topic will actually be spread out over the next 2-3 weeks. 
Today I will deal solely with the aspect of the necessity of baptism. 
Contrary to what several groups believe, baptism is not something that is 
left to the individual to decide. God has decided from the beginning of time 
that baptism is essential to our salvation. In Matthew's account of our Lord's 
parting words before ascending into heaven, Jesus is recorded as saying 
this: "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. 28:18-20). Baptism is a command not an 
option. What then is the purpose of baptism? Why is it necessary? To begin 
with, Jesus tells us why baptism is needed in Mark 16:15-16. There we read 
Jesus saying ".He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that 
believeth not shall be damned." So our savior tells us that baptism is 
needed in order for us to be saved. Some might say to this verse that Jesus 
didn't state that not being baptized would damn you, just not believing. 
Well if someone doesn't believe and they are condemned, then what would be 
the point in being baptized? A person that doesn't believe in God will 
certainly not find any reason to be baptized would they?

          Baptism is also necessary because the apostles commanded it and 
taught its role in salvation. Peter, in the first recorded sermon after the 
death of Jesus, taught the men and women listening, that they (the Jews) 
were responsible for the death of Jesus. This so moved the people that were 
convicted of their sin and asked the apostles what they could do about it. 
Peter speaking told them to "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the 
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the 
gift of the Holy Ghost." Notice that Peter didn't just say believe, or just 
to repent, or even for them to invite Jesus into their hearts. What he told 
them to do is what our God commanded him to tell them (see Matthew 28:20), 
that is to repent and be baptized. We also read, in 1 Peter 3:21, that 
".even baptism doth also now save us." Can it be denied that baptism is 
necessary for all to gain entrance into heaven?

          In the next few postings, I will deal with various other aspects 
to baptism including who is a right candidate for baptism (infants and young 
children are not), immersion versus sprinkling and how many different 
baptisms there might be (Holy Spirit, water, fire). I pray that all readers 
will be examining the scriptures to ensure that what I write is true 
according to the word of God.



In Christ, Steve Preston





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