At the end of his time with his disciples on Earth in bodily form, Jesus gave them two directives, known as “The Great Commission” and can be found in Matthew 28:18-19:
- Teach;
- Baptize
It’s a pretty simple thing, which is good because I’m a pretty simple guy.
Today there seems to be a lot of confusion about the purpose of baptism in the plan of salvation. I’ve heard it’s an “outward sign of an inward change.” I’ve heard that baptism is something one does as a memorial after one is saved.
This is why I was baptized: For the remission of sins.
If you really look into the matter, baptism is part of God’s plan for our salvation, not something that is done later to affirm our salvation to the world.
The purpose of baptism is to remit our sins…it is our entrance into the covenant of God, similar to how circumcision in the Old Testament was their entrance into the covenant with God.
Colossians 2 [11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Acts 2:38 KJV – [38] 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 ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Baptism isn’t just a visual representation of something that has already taken place–it’s the actual article! Baptism is the thing that saves us.
Not because we were good enough.
Not because we were smart enough.
Not because there’s some magical property in water.
1 Peter 3:21 [21] The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
It’s a simple act of obedience where we accept Jesus into our lives, receive the remission of sins, and enter into the new covenant with God.
Romans 6:17-18 [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Jesus says it plainly in Mark 16:16:
Mark 16:16 [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
I’ve read a lot of church constitutions, and articles, and statements of faith over the years, and a lot of them seem to really miss the mark when it comes to the topic of baptism. Some organizations actually seem to put a lot more effort into explaining why baptism is NOT necessary, arguing against it, and building a complex theology why baptism is unnecessary, rather than simply teaching what’s pretty clear to me in the gospels.
One of my study Bibles with footnotes and commentary takes up half of the page trying to explain why Mark 16:16 doesn’t actually mean what it says.
It doesn’t expend that sort of literary real estate trying to explain any other single verse in the Bible. I find it odd that the editors felt a need to explain away Mark 16:16 rather than just let it say what it says.
Do you believe in Jesus? Do you want to be baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins? Drop me a line using the “Contact” tab on the menu and let’s make it happen! 🙂
For a comprehensive study on the topic of baptism, check out this link:
http://www.truthaboutbaptism.com/
Reprinted from the Book:
My Two Cents: On Politics, Religion, Sex, And All The Other
Things We’re Not Supposed To Talk About At Thanksgiving Dinner
(A Compendium Of Observations And Common Sense Solutions To The
Issues Threatening The Survival Of America)
by Patrick A. Taylor
Copyright 2005-2016, by Patrick A. Taylor
All Rights Reserved
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