Baptism: Why Delay? Text: Acts 2:27-38, 41, 47 Scripture Reading: Acts 8:35-39 By Nathan L Morrison All Scripture given is from NASB unless otherwise stated For further study or if questions, Call: 907-252-3708, or Visit: www.frr-churchofchrist-ak.org Some points from an article by R.J. Evans

Intro The popular teaching among the religious world on baptism is that it is not essential for salvation: Either it’s optional, mandatory, or not necessary altogether. Those that teach it is optional or even mandatory teach it is an outward appearance of an inward grace (Not found in Scripture). Also, it is taught that it is the entrance into a particular denomination While men may teach that baptism is not essential, the Word of God plainly teaches that it is: Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-6; Gal. 3:27; I Pet. 3:21 Baptism: Why Delay?

Intro When men believe that baptism is not essential to salvation, baptism is often delayed for weeks or even months: It is often put off till enough people are waiting, and then they have a baptism ceremony! Since they believe they are already saved before baptism – what's the big hurry? The Scriptures teach something different! In view of the fact that it is necessary for salvation, we see that baptism comes immediately after one becomes a penitent believer! Baptism: Why Delay?

Immediately or Delayed? Acts 2:37-38, 41, 47: The 3,000 – Baptized How long after Peter’s answer to “repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins” (2:38) did the Jews on Pentecost wait to be baptized? Acts 2:41 41. So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They responded quickly to the cure for their sin of murder! Acts 8:12: Samaritans – Baptized (8:13: Also Simon) When Philip began preaching the gospel to the Samaritans (8:5), how long did they wait to obey the gospel? Acts 8:12 12. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Those in Samaria that believed didn’t wait! Baptism: Why Delay?

Immediately or Delayed? Acts 8:35-39: Eunuch – Baptized How long after studying with Philip did the Eunuch wait? Acts 8:36-38 36. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37. And 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. And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. After his confession of Jesus as the Christ and Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10), he ordered the chariot to stop and Philip baptized him! He rejoiced after baptism! If baptism is unnecessary, how did the Eunuch know he was to be baptized after Philip “preached Jesus to him”? Philip taught baptism is necessary to salvation as Jesus said it in Mk. 16:16 Baptism: Why Delay?

Immediately or Delayed? Acts 9:18-19; 22:12-16: Saul – Baptized After Ananias delivered Christ’s message (9:17; 22:12-15), how long did Saul wait to be baptized? Acts 9:18-19 18. And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19. and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, He was baptized after he was healed and before he ate and drank to regain his strength! Acts 10:47-48: Cornelius – Baptized After the sign of the Holy Spirit indicated that the Gentiles could have salvation (11:15-18), how long did they wait to be baptized? Acts 10:48 48. And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. The day they heard the gospel from Peter they were baptized! Baptism: Why Delay?

Immediately or Delayed? Acts 16:27-34: Jailer – Baptized After the jailer and his household were taught the gospel how long did they wait to be baptized? Acts 16:33-34 33. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. “Immediately he was baptized, he and all his household” – He rejoiced after they were baptized! Acts 19:1-7: Disciples of John– Baptized When Paul reminded them of John’s words, pointing to Jesus, how long did they wait to be “re-baptized?”? They didn’t wait! When they heard about Jesus, they were re-baptized! Acts 19:5 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Baptism: Why Delay?

Immediately or Delayed? Acts 2:37-38, 41, 47: The 3,000 – Baptized Acts 8:12: Samaritans – Baptized (8:13: Also Simon) Acts 8:35-39: Eunuch – Baptized Acts 9:18-19; 22:12-16: Saul – Baptized Acts 10:47-48: Cornelius – Baptized Acts 16:27-34: Jailer – Baptized Acts 19:1-7: Disciples of John– Baptized In all these cases there was a sense of urgency to be baptized! Baptism: Why Delay?

Why the Urgency? Baptism puts one into Christ Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:26-27 Baptism puts one into the body (the church) Acts 2:38, 41, 47 I Cor. 12:13 (Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23) Through baptism the blood of Christ washes away all of our sins Eph. 1:7; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16 Baptism saves us! Mk. 16:16: The order given: Belief, Baptism, Saved. Catholics: Baptism, Belief, Salvation Denominations: Belief, Salvation, Baptism (if at all) I Pet. 3:21: “Baptism now saves us.” Rom. 6:3-4: Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection Baptism: Why Delay?

Baptism (obedience to the relationship to God and Why the Urgency? Baptism puts us into God’s kingdom Jn. 3:5: Baptism (born of water and the Spirit) allows one to enter the kingdom. Col. 1:13-14: “Transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son;” and forgiveness of sins is through His blood (Eph. 1:7; Acts 2:38; 22:16). Baptism (obedience to the gospel) changes our relationship to God and washes away our sins! Baptism: Why Delay?

Conclusion In the 1st century (NT Scriptures), there was no delaying or “saving up” a group of converts for a baptismal service Each convert was baptized immediately because baptism is a part of God's plan of salvation! When we are baptized for the forgiveness of sins, the Lord adds us to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47) Baptism: Why Delay?

Conclusion Denominations teach “salvation by faith only,” which to them, excludes baptism Martin Luther, in translating the NT from Greek to German, added the word “alone” to Rom. 3:28, making it say, “Faith alone.” The word “alone” is not in the Greek text. Even though this is a known fact now, most denominational teachers still teach Luther’s false doctrine of “faith alone.” “Faith only” is found once in Scripture – teaching the exact opposite of this false doctrine (Js. 2:24) The demons have faith alone! (Js. 2:19) Not once in all the accounts of converts being taught or asking what to do to be saved were they ever given the answer to say a prayer! The “Sinner’s Prayer” is not taught in the Scriptures! In fact, never has God commanded or expected a person to pray for salvation! Obedience always commanded! Martin Luther Baptism: Why Delay?

Conclusion Baptism is essential to salvation (Mk. 16:16): Just as belief (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 10:17), repentance (Acts 2:38), and confession of faith (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10) are necessary in order for one to be saved! One of those alone will not do it! Jesus Himself said, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16) Having heard the gospel, how long should you wait to obey it: IMMEDIATELY OR DELAY? Baptism: Why Delay?

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)