BAPTISM DOES NOT

     The Bible has much to say on the subject of baptism. The Book of God tells us that baptism is “...for remission of sin” (Acts 2:38); that it saves us (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:20-22); it puts into Christ where all spiritual blessings are (Romans 6:3; Ephesians 1:3); through this final act of the “new birth of water and the Spirit,” we can become the children of God (Galatians 3:26-29); it is to be preceded by faith, repentance and confession of our faith that Jesus is Lord (Acts 8:36,37; Romans 10:9-10); and the “mode” of baptism is immersion (Acts 8:38; ;Romans 6:3-4).

     It seems that the vast majority of the religious world rejects the idea that baptism has anything to do with the forgiveness of sin. As noted above, their claim is totally false. Yet we have some brethren who take the Bible teaching on baptism to the other extreme, thinking that it is a kind of cure all problem with regard to sin, without ever repenting. This teaching is erroneous as well!

      One cannot continue to practice sin after he has been baptized into Christ. Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, said, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). They had been guilty of all of these things, but no longer did they practice them (such were some of you). Now they had been washed in the blood of the Lamb (John 1:29;Acts 22:16), set apart by God to be used in His service, and declared just in His sight. (Romans 6:9-23; Colossians 3:1-7)

Some Things Scriptural Baptism Will Not Do!

1). Baptism will not make an unlawful marriage lawful. If it was an adulterous relationship before baptism, it is still an adulterous relationship after baptism. One who was involved in homosexuality before baptism cannot continue to practice such after baptism. Baptism washes away the sins that had been committed upon one’s repentance. When men and women were told to repent, before baptism, it meant they had to turn from sin to God and they were not to continue in them.

2). To say that one is not subject to the law of Christ before baptism is to teach something that the Lord s will did not reveal. How did the Corinthians become guilty of fornication, adultery, etc. if they were not subject to that law? How would one become a sinner in need of salvation if he has not violated the law of God? In writing to those at Thessalonica, Paul said, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Will He take vengeance on those who have not submitted to the gospel of Jesus Christ? He said so! Does this not indicate that those who fail to obey are subject to that gospel? Sure it does.

3). Likewise, just because one has been baptized, such does not guarantee that heaven will be that person’s home. I don’t personally know of anyone who is a member of the Lord’s church that believes in the doctrine of once saved always saved. Yet I know several who live as if they believe such to be the truth. Baptism does not automatically punch your ticket to God’s eternal abode. It takes faithful living on the part of each individual. Jesus said, And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22; Hebrews 3:12-19; Colossians 1:21-23). Notice a similar statement made in Revelation 2:10, the later part of that verse, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

4). Baptism does not solve all the problems associated with sin in one’s life. Paul’s problem really began right after he was baptized as he taught that Jesus is the Christ in Damascus and a little later in Jerusalem. See (Acts 9:18-31).

5). Baptism does not remove the temptations to sin: As great a man as he was, Paul said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; James 1:13-15).

 

6). Scriptural baptism does not put one into a denominational body (church) (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38,40,41. 47; Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:13-16).

7). Scriptural baptism is not into some human name: (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Acts 4:10-12;Acts 26:28; Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16).

    Let’s assume for a few moments that our Protestant friends are right and that one is saved the moment one accepts Jesus as one’s Savior. Even then they often tell this supposedly “saved person” to accept Jesus into their heart and pray what they call “The Sinner’s Prayer.” This so called “sinner’s prayer” runs something like the following: “Lord, I know I am a sinner and that you died for my sins, I accept you as my Savior, come into my heart and save me.” The so called “sinner’s prayer” varies from preacher to preacher among the Protestants, but basically I have properly cited it as I’m sure you will agree. QUESTION ONE: What name does this so called saved sinner now wear? QUESTION TWO: What church is he now a member of?

    You know as well as I that he isn’t a Christian based on the Great Commission of Christ and based on the cases of conversion found in the books of (Acts, Romans, Galatians, and Corinthians) If he were saved by the Protestant standard he would still be just a Christian, and as yet he isn’t a member of any Protestant church. No, to become a Protestant he must submit to the “mode and design” of baptism taught by which ever Protestant church the preacher is affiliated. It is only then that he becomes what ever name that particular group calls themselves and is baptized into that particular religious body. If he is “baptized” by:

1). A Southern Baptist preacher, he will become “A Southern Baptist.”

2). A Northern Baptist preacher, he will become “A Northern Baptist.”

3). A Free Will Baptist preacher, he will become “A Free Will Baptist.” Etc.

4). A Presbyterian preacher, he will become some brand of “A Presbyterian.”

5). A Lutheran preacher, he will be some brand of “A Lutheran.”

6). A Jehovah’s Witness preacher, he will be called, “A Jehovah’s Witness.”

7). A United Methodist preacher, he would be known as “A United Methodist.”

8). If he is taught the truth of the gospel according to the “Great Commission” as given by Jesus Christ, (Matthew 28:18-10; Mark 16;15-16; Luke 24:45-47) and if taught and baptized exactly for the same reason the apostles and early Christians taught, and was “baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and into the one body” (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38), he is now a “Christian only” as concerns a “proper name” and as such is “added by the Lord to His blood bought church.” (Acts 2:41;47; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-25; Colossians 1:13-14) This teaching unites us. The denominational teaching and baptism divides us and is contrary to the will and the prayer of Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 1:10-13; John 17;17; 20-21; Ephesians 4:1-6). One simply cannot be taught wrong and have been baptized right (see Acts 19:1-7; Romans 6:16-18). Note: Nothing is said about the one doing the teaching and baptizing. The emphasis is placed on what we are taught and the design and mode of our baptism and the relationship and name into which we are immersed.

    You may well need to repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins like those on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:36-38). They turned away from their iniquities, like the Corinthians, and served Christ. (Acts 2:42) Or you may have been baptized for the remission of your transgressions and you have allowed sin with its allurements to overtake you. You need to repent and pray like Peter told Simon. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). May we all be willing to submit to God’s plan of forgiveness so that each might stand washed, sanctified, and justified in the sight of our Lord.