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Message In Acts. The book of Acts is a historical snapshot of the development of the early church and it provides valuable insight into the teaching about baptism. In Acts 13:24 we are reminded that John preached a baptism of repentance.
. . . after John had proclaimed before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (NASB) Acts 13:24 Baptism is a result of believing in Jesus. It comes aft er one believes Jesus is our Savior God who takes away our sin (John 1:29). In Acts 10:44-48 we find that Cornelius had believed and was saved. Baptism did not save him because verse 45-46 says the Holy Spirit came on Cornelius and the rest of the family who had also believed. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was proof they were Christians (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13-14). Scripture is interesting in that it does not always explain everything in one place, and Acts 19:3-5 finally helps us put it all together.
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” (NKJV) Acts 19:3-5 It is here that we learn that John the Baptist baptized people only after encouraging them to believe on Jesus who would come after him. John’s baptism was for people who were repenting of their sin in preparation for Messiah.
Ancient Records Speak. John the Baptist was such a famous individual that even the Roman historian Josephus in the Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Section 5, paragraph 2 says, Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness toward one another and piety toward God, and so to come to baptism; for the washing if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away, of some sin but for purification of the body: supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. The historical perspective, while not inspired by God, is consistent with the New Testament teaching about baptism. The message is clear, John’s baptism was for people who were repenting of their sin in preparation for Messiah.
Examining a Few Passages. Now someone may say, there are five New Testament passages: Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4 and 1 Peter 3:21 that suggest baptism is required for salvation. How do we understand these passages? There are two principles we will use as we examine these passages. Scripture explains scripture, and the verses that go before and after the passage help us understand the passage (context). We have already learned that baptism is symbolic of being cleansed from sin.
Mark 16:16. Our first passage leaves us with the impression that both baptism and belief are necessary in order to be forgiven our sins.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV) Mark 16:16 A clear understanding of this verse requires that we closely consider the last part of the sentence. The first part tells a person how to be saved and appears to require baptism. The last part of the sentence gives us a warning that those who do not believe will not be saved. The last part of the verse reveals that there is only one thing that causes one to be condemned - not believing. If not being baptized causes one to be condemned, why was that not included? If baptism is required then the verse should have read something like this: “ . . but he who does not believe and he who is not baptized will be condemned.” But the verse does not read that way. A person is only condemned if they do not believe.
Water baptism is sometimes included with the requirement to believe in Jesus because baptism shows that you are serious about your commitment and nothing more. It is required as an symbol to others of an internal commitment to God in your heart.
John 3:5. The second passage we will explore is a statement that Jesus directed to Nicodemus about being “born again.” |
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| Baptism & Salvation | |||||