What Baptism Does Not

What Baptism in the Name of Jesus Does: Is for the remission of sins. Gets us in Christ. Is where the new birth takes place. Saves us.

Baptism Doesn’t: Save apart from faith

Baptism and faith Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, “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. Not “Go into all the world and forcibly dunk people under water. Whoever is forcibly dunked will be saved.”

Baptism and faith Acts 8:35-38 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?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him Colossians 2:11-12 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Baptism Doesn’t: Save apart from faith Change our hearts

Change of heart takes place before baptism. Matthew 15:17-20 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Baptism Doesn’t: Save apart from faith Change our hearts Do away with temptation

Temptation exists after baptism. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Temptation exists after baptism James 1:13-15 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Baptism Doesn’t: Save apart from faith Change our hearts Do away with temptation Wash away future sins

Repentance and prayer Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 1 John 1:5-10

Baptism Doesn’t: Save apart from faith Change our hearts Do away with temptation Wash away future sins Wash away other commandments

We must DO the will of God. Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.

Baptism Doesn’t: Save apart from faith Change our hearts Do away with temptation Wash away future sins Wash away other commandments Assure future salvation

Salvation depends on faithfulness. Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, … 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:    “ Today, if you will hear His voice,       Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Baptism Doesn’t: Save apart from faith Change our hearts Do away with temptation Wash away future sins Wash away other commandments Assure future salvation Deliver us from persecution

We are assured of persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. John 15:18-20 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.