I have listened to so many people teach and discuss their
view on what the Bible says and does not say. For the most
part, many of them are pretty well on the mark. There is one
thing that I see in some of their teachings that I just can
not come to grips with.
So many times I have heard that in order to be saved, all I
have to do is to believe in Jesus Christ as my savior. I do
believe but, I feel this is where so many drop the ball and
cease their teachings on salvation. Even I believe a person
can not be saved without believing in Jesus Christ. In fact,
we are commanded to believe in him and confess that he is
the son of God.
In James 2:19 it says that even the devils believe and that
they tremble. Therefore, could we not assume that even they
will be saved if believing is the only requirement to
salvation?
The Bible is not vague on what we must do to be saved. For
those that teach that we must only believe to be saved,
what have they done with all the other commandments that
deal with this subject? The Bible lays out a clear plan and
steps to salvation.
First, we must hear and have FAITH. Romans 10:17 says, So
faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Second, we must BELIEVE. Mark 16:16 says, He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved, but that believeth not shall
be damned.
Third, we must REPENT. Acts 2:38 says, Then Peter said unto
them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Forth, we must be BAPTIZED. Again, read Acts 2:38 and
Mark 16:16.
Our God has always been one for ritual. He lays out a plan
and expects us to follow it. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus said when
talking about the Kingdom of Heaven, that not everyone that
says Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven but, he
that does the will of my father which is in heaven. I feel
sure that there will be many of those that say Lord, Lord
will also believe in Jesus.
We are also taught that we should be born again. I realize
that to be born again, I must die first to accomplish this.
This is so simple that I can not understand were so many go
wrong on this issue. In Romans 6:1-5 it states that we are
buried into Christ through Baptism. Then we are raised like
Jesus was to walk a new life. In other words, BORN AGAIN. I
have not found where we can be born again by just believing.
Scripture does not support that but, it does support being
born again by water Baptism in Romans 6:1-5.
Colossians 2:12 states it very plainly that we are buried
with Christ through Baptism and that we are raised from that
burial by our faith of what God is doing. Therefore, Jesus
was born again and so are we through Baptism.
So many any times throughout the Bible we are taught there
is something the Lord wants us to do. These things may be
mentioned only once or a very few times to say the least. I
am talking about Baptism for a reason. Time and time again I
have heard or been told that Baptism is not necessary for
our salvation. If this is the case, just why is Baptism
mentioned 71 times in the New Testament? Why would one
subject be brought up over and over again and even command
us to be Baptized if it were not necessary?
Mark 16:16 states very plainly that we are to Believe and be
Baptized to be saved. Where it says, "He that Believeth and
is Baptized shall be saved". He did not say Believes only
nor did he say Baptism alone. It says those that Believe and
are Baptized shall be saved. That scripture is not one that
is left to a lot of interpretation.
So many of the preachers that I have seen on television or
heard on the radio have stood and preached over the air
waves that Baptism is not necessary. They seem to close
their eyes and turn their heads at one scripture. I feel
that some wished that it was not in the bible. Then, they
would not have to deal with it. I Peter 3:21 says, The like
figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now SAVE us, not
putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of good
conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At this point, I have to ask, how in the world can someone
deny that Baptism is necessary for our salvation? Just how
much plainer can it be explained.
In Acts 8:36-38 Philip had been teaching the Eunuch about
Christ and Baptism because it says that, when they came to
water, the Eunuch asked Philip, What does hender me from
being Baptized? Philip asked him if he believed with all of
his heart, he could. The Eunuch then told Philip that he
believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Then they
went down into the water and Philip Baptized him. In every
case, Baptism follows Believing and confessing Jesus Christ.
In Galatians 3:37 it says, that we are Baptized into Christ
and that we put on Christ. In John 3:3,5 it says that,
except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he can not
enter the Kingdom of God.
How any times have I heard someone say that we are saved
through the Grace of God. This so true and I have no
problems with this. In about the same number of times, I
have been told that Baptism is works and words are not
necessary for us to be saved. In the second chapter of
James, starting with verse 14 through 26, this question is
addressed. There are things (works) we have to do. It also
says that Faith only is just not enough.
In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus told the disciples to go out to
all nations. To teach them and to Baptize them into the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
In verse 20, Jesus told them to teach the people to observe
all things which I have commanded. The commandment to be
Baptized has been written many times through out the New
Testament.
I am not a gambling man but, even if I were, I don't think I
would want to gamble against those odds. I will not take the
chance that Baptism is not a part of my salvation.
I have not read anywhere, where it says that to Believe,
forgives of sin. As I stated earlier, when we are Baptized
into Christ, we are in Christ. In acts 2:28 Peter says,
Repent and be Baptized everyone of you for the REMISSION OF
SINS and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In Acts 22:16 it says, And why tarriest thou? Arise and Wash
Away Your Sins, Calling on the name of the Lord. Baptism is
the method in which our sins are forgiven. Yes, by the Grace
of God but, also by our works as stated in Acts 2:38. We are
also saved by Baptism as stated in I Peter 3:21.
When we take on Christ, our new sins are washed away by the
blood of Jesus Christ. We have to be in Christ for this to
happen. Read Galatians 3:27 once more.
The Devil deceived Eve by telling her that she would know
the difference between good and evil if she would eat of the
forbidden fruit. He told her a partial truth. Just enough to
get her to eat the fruit. Eve could just not see the whole
picture. When we are taught that all we have to do to be
saved is by our faith only, are we not being taught a
partial truth and not seeing the whole picture?
Before a person should let someone teach them a partial
truth, especially when it deals with their salvation, they
should read II Timothy 2:15. It says, Study to show thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
Our salvation is up to us. No other person can save us.
Only Jesus Christ can do that. Therefore, we should do as
the Bible says and study it and divide the truth from the
non or partial truth.
I feel that in the day of judgement there will be many
preachers that have to answer to the Lord about why they
taught that Baptism was not necessary when infact, the Bible
states point blank that it is necessary.
There is one thing you have to come to grips with in your
life and pursuit of your salvation. If Baptism is not a
necessary part of our salvation and you are Baptized anyway,
you have lost nothing. On the other hand, if Baptism is
necessary for your salvation and you are NOT Baptized, then
you have lost everything.
Do not take the chance!
There is an interesting verse in Proverbs 14:12 and it is
repeated again in verse 16:25. Simply stated, "There is a
way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of Death". KJV
Smokey
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