At the end of the time Jesus was upon the earth, he showed himself to his disciples and told them certain things they were to do after he returned to Heaven. Let us read Luke’s account; Luke 24:44-53. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.
The disciples realized the teachings Jesus had taught them were beginning to make sense. The things which must be fulfilled were happening. They began to understand. They were now ready to do his commands.
We have records of other things Jesus commanded them. According to Matthew, this he commanded, 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Mt. 28:18-20.
The command for the disciples of Christ was to teach what he had taught them; baptize the believers in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This great commission is in existence for Christ’s disciples today. Therefore, we teach all nations repentance and forgiveness of sins with baptism.
However, there is so much confusion in the teachings concerning this baptism of Christ.
So, Baptism, what is so important about baptism that Jesus commanded it? With the confusion about baptism, few believe in it or understand it.
Shall we look into the idea of baptism and water usage for salvation so we are informed when we attempt to teach what Jesus meant when he said to baptize all nations?
In our study, we will find types of baptism; the act of baptism; and, is it necessary for salvation.
Each type of baptism was for certain times and people. Each involves water as a medium for the symbolic nature of the spirit salvation of the soul. Certain types of baptism have a direct effect on the hope of salvation, especially in the modern age. In each type of baptism, it is necessary for much water to be available. Let us see the first type of baptism.
The Flood. Water. God’s chosen passing through, or over water.
1 Peter 3:20-21. God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 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:
This passage gives us a lot of information concerning baptism over all the ages.
Water saved eight souls. Noah and family passed through, or over, water for salvation of their lives.
Water was the accepted and designed medium God decided upon for salvation.
From Noah to John The Baptist, at the time of Jesus’ ministry, water was used to sanctify–to make holy–all God’s chosen people, Israel.
Israel crossed the Red Sea–symbolic baptism for Israel to begin the nation called by God.
Baptism, symbolic baptism, was necessary for the new generation of Israel before entering the Promised Land, Canaan. They passed through the Jordan River.
We also see the symbolic feature of water in baptism to save us from sin. Vs. 21. Peter declares this water form of baptism to be an act of faith. He says it is an answer of a good conscience toward God. It is a pledge of faith and good will toward keeping one’s self from the pollutants of the world. It is a contract with God. Like unto a vow, it should not be broken. God will hold the bearer accountable.
The second type of baptism is John’s baptism. It is a baptism of repentance.
Luke 3:1-3. 3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Not only did John preach baptism of repentance, he baptized with water in the Jordan River. Mt. 3:1-2, 5-8. 3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Notice the requirement for John’s baptism. Verse 7. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
John’s baptism seems to require true repentance. It did require ‘much water’.
John 3:23. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
The third type of baptism is with water and Spirit. John 3:5. 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John said Jesus shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire. Mt. 3:11. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
This becomes the baptism preached by Apostle Peter. It is the baptism preached all over the world today to believing Christians. Acts 2:38. (we will look at this in a minute)
What Is The Act Of Baptism? Remember Peter said in 1 Peter 3:21 it is not the washing of the filth of the flesh but it is the answer of a good conscience toward God. We do not bathe in the water to wash dirt from our bodies; however, sin is dirty or a filth. But we need plenty of water to perform a baptism. Let us study the form of proper baptism.
Romans 6:1-11. 6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the act of baptism, one must symbolize the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Water is the medium to bury a body, and to raise it in the likeness of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. Just in the symbolism of the physical death of Jesus, we are to put to death the body of sinfulness. When one is dead, they are buried in the grave. Just as Christ was raised by God, we now can rise to walk in the newness of life. Vs. 4.
We have seen the types of baptism–Noah and the flood, Israel passing through the Red Sea and Jordan River; John’s baptism for repentance; and, Christ's baptism with water and the Holy Ghost.
We have seen the act of baptism, requiring water to perform a symbolic death, burial, and resurrection. We understand it is an act of faith in an answer to a good conscience toward God.
IS IT NECESSARY?
Apostle Paul tells of his conversion in Acts 22. In his testimony, he was commanded to be baptized. Notice: vss. 12-16. 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Ananias told Saul to wash away his sins. Saul’s baptism was necessary to wash away his sins.
Baptism with water, immersion, is for the remittance of sins. Remittance means to remove. Sin is removed by water. No longer is the believer filled with iniquity, sin. They have been made justified before God. Justification is to make Holy. Today, when one is baptized, they are made justified, made Holy, before God. Before, Noah and all Israel, including those baptized by John, were only made sanctified–the form of making one to be able to become holy. Sanctifying is the process of making one Holy; justification is made Holy. One is trying to become Holy; the other is Holy. When true baptism occurs, the believer is made Holy. (justified)
Peter says the one made Holy will receive a gift. Acts 2:38. 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.
To receive the gift of God, The Holy Ghost or Spirit of God, the believer in faith is baptized in water for the remission, removal of their sins and God gives them His Holy Ghost or Spirit as a gift to guide them unto all truth; protect them from evil; and, to continue sanctifying them unto justification as long as the believer strives to live godly.
The added bonus is a part of one body, the church. 1 Cor. 12:12-13. 12 For as the body {of Christ} is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
All who were baptized for the remission of their sins are entered into the body of Christ. Gal. 3:26-29. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Baptism by water, immersion into the water, washes away sin. Without the washing away of one’s sin, there is no remittance of their sin. They are not even justified until baptism. Is it necessary for salvation, absolutely according to scripture.
Some will say they are saved, meaning justified, without or before baptism. Paul told it as did Ananias one is not. Peter said to be baptized for removal of sin. One cannot, according to these scriptures, say baptism is not necessary; they cannot say it can be done if one desires to, but not important. If you desire to be saved, baptism, and it only removes sin. Why would you want to wait until a later date; perhaps when the water is ready; perhaps when a congregation can get more than you ready to perform many baptisms at the same time? Your salvation is in jeopardy doing that. Water is always available. Be baptized immediately upon recognizing your sinful condition; tomorrow may be too late.
