UN-DENOMINATING CHRISTIANITY The Role Of Baptism in Salvation

A CASE FOR WATER BAPTISM Churches of Christ alienated by many denominations for our stand on baptism.Churches of Christ alienated by many denominations for our stand on baptism. Why do we remain so adamant about this in the face of widespread disagreement? It is because it’s a matter of clear Bible teaching!

WHY TAKE BAPTISM SO SERIOUSLY? Ephesians 4:4-6 – “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”Ephesians 4:4-6 – “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” If we shirk on the one baptism, why not the others?If we shirk on the one baptism, why not the others?

IN OBEDIENCE TO JESUS Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit….”Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit….” Baptism is only for DISCIPLES – so infants are not candidates.

WHAT IS BAPTISM? BAPTIDZO/BAPTISMA – full immersion. In the case of Christian baptism it is immersion in water.BAPTIDZO/BAPTISMA – full immersion. In the case of Christian baptism it is immersion in water. Mark 10:38 –Mark 10:38 – But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

1 CORINTHIANS 10:2 “…and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea….” So, what is NOT baptism? If it is not a full immersion it is not baptism. The word means immersion. Dipping, pouring and sprinkling are NOT baptism.

ARE WE SURE IT WAS WATER? Baptism of the Holy Spirit only happened twice.Baptism of the Holy Spirit only happened twice. Acts 2:3-4, 17 – “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance…. ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind….”Acts 2:3-4, 17 – “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance…. ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind….”

Acts 10: While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”

WATER BAPTISM PROVEN Acts 8:36 – “As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” Matthew 3:16 -- After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him…”

JOHN 3:23 “John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—” No water? No baptism!

WHAT HAPPENS IN BAPTISM? Romans 6:3-4 – “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Can this happen without baptism?

COLOSSIANS 2:11-12 “…and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Can we be saved without this?

1 PETER 3:21 “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ….” Mark 16:16 --He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” Acts 2:38, Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…. So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

OUR SINS ARE WASHED AWAY Acts 22:16 – “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” Even after a tremendous vision, a miracle, Saul still needed to be baptized to wash away his sins. So do we.