Those who are members of the Lord's church are so familiar with the above question that to ask it is to answer it. Yet we must understand that there are people who are unfamiliar with Bible teaching on the matter. Good people are being taught that one need not be baptized in order to be saved; that all one must do is to "receive Christ as my personal Savior," and that will be sufficient. But let us consider the question from a Biblical perspective.

On the first Pentecost after Christ was raised from the (Acts 2), Peter preached the first recorded gospel sermon. After hearing that the Christ that they had crucified had been raised to a position of supreme authority by God, they then asked, "what must we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter said, "repent and be baptized … for the remission of sins" (v. 38). Remission of sins was predicated upon whether or not those who heard that sermon were baptized. No baptism - no remission of sins.

In Acts 22 we find the apostle Paul recounting the circumstances of his conversion. Among other things in this interesting account, Ananias said to him, "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins..." (v. 16). How were the sins of Saul washed away? The one sent by God said this was to be done in baptism. Never was Saul merely told to "just believe."

Philip was directed by God to go into Samaria and preach Christ (Acts 8:5). Once they heard that preaching, "they were baptized, both men and women" (v. 12). Philip was then taken by the Spirit to meet a man in the desert; a man from Ethiopia who was returning from Jerusalem to his home (v. 28ff). Philip preached Christ to him, which was the same message he had preached to the Samaritans. In v. 36 the Ethiopian man said, "see, here is water; what doth hinder me to be bap­tized?" (v. 36). Once he expressed his faith in Christ, Philip then baptized him.

Other instances of baptism are re­corded in the book of Acts. Cornelius and his house was baptized (Acts 10:47). Lydia, along with those in her company heard the gospel, and were baptized (Acts 16:15). The keeper of the prison in Philippi, upon hearing the testimony of Paul and Silas, was baptized along with his family ( 16:33).

Peter said, "... the like figure (a figure of the water which saved Noah) whereunto even baptism doth also now save us ..." (1 Pet. 3:21). Peter goes on to say that baptism is not for the cleansing of the body, but of the conscience; the inner man. He clearly tells us that baptism" saves us." Yet there are those who deny this.

Finally, Paul spoke of being "buried" with Christ in baptism, and those who had done so had been baptized into the of Christ (Rom. 6:3-4). He said that "the doctrine" preached was the , burial and resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-3). Now he says to the Romans that they had obeyed a "form of doctrine" ( 6:17). They had not physically died as Christ had, but did something like that, and that was when they were buried with Christ in baptism. He then goes on to say that it was "then;" i.e., at the point of that obedience that they were made free from sin ( 6: 18).

Many are deceived into thinking that baptism is not essential to salvation; that it is something one does after they are saved to show that the are saved. The Bible teaches no such thing, but always places baptism prior to salva­tion.

Baptism is not a "work of man" as some allege. Rather, it is a "work of faith;" a matter of obeying what God has said. The shame is that otherwise good and honest people are lost be­cause someone has told them that baptism is not essential. Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins? If not, at any phone num­ber on the back of this paper you can find someone to help you do so. – Bill Moseley

 

 

 

The Christian ought never to be igno­rant of "the devil's devices," or as the NASB has it, his "schemes" (2 Cor. 2: 11). We need to know certain things about those schemes.

First, they are many and varied. If the devil cannot gain control of your life in one way, he will do it by an­other, and it seems that he never runs out of ways to tempt the Christian.

Then, those schemes are crafty and skilful. Satan is a master at deception, making that appear good when in re­ality it is evil and wicked. Here is why we need to be alert, always examining claims anyone may make concerning religious matters.

Satan's schemes are impartial. He does not care who he can gain so long as he is able to do it. Satan's devices are especially dangerous to the un­wary. Peter likened him to a "roaring lion," walking about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

But there is a defense! It begins with prayer; asking God to help us over­come those devices. Watchfulness; diligence, must be practiced every day. Let your guard down and you are likely to become Satan's. Remember­ - he always has you in his sights! - Bill Moseley