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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John Chapter 3, verse 16 (NIV)

Sheridan Road Church of Christ

Sheridan Road Church of Christ

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John Chapter 3, verse 16 (NIV)

Salvation - The Benefits of Baptism

 

I really enjoyed this message from Reflections article, volume 3, number 2 published by the Lindsay Church of Christ.  I hope that you enjoy it as well.  Tim

By: Preston Silcox

 

Most of our denominational friends and neighbors downplay the significance of baptism.  This is not to say that they place not emphasis at all on the act.  They say that it’s important, that Christ commands it, and that it’s symbolically related to one’s relationship with God.  Still, they stress that baptism is not essential to salvation.  The Bible however lists several spiritual benefits of baptism, all of which point to the act’s being necessary for salvation.  Notice some of these benefits:

 

· Baptism Saves1 Peter 3:21 plainly says, “and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.  It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”.  Similarly, Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” Mark 16:16.

· Baptism Washes Away Sin:  Notice Acts 22:16: “And now what are you waiting for?  Get up, be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name”.  Since the blood of Christ is the cleansing agent (cf. Rev. 1:5), it seems obvious that one contacts His blood in the watery grave of baptism (cf. Rom. 6:3-4)

· Baptism Remits Sin:  On the day of Pentecost, Peter announced, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).  This remission is a release, or dismissal, from the debt into which sin places every guilty soul (cf. Rom. 3:23: 6:23).

· Baptism Puts One into Christ:  Consider two passages: 1) Romans 6:3 - “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.”  2) Galatians 3:27 - “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”.  Bear in mind that all spiritual blessing are in Christ (cf. Eph. 1:3), including salvation (cf. 2 Tim. 2:10).

· Baptism Stand as the Door of Entrance into the Church:  Remember that 1 Peter 3:21 and Mark 16:16 teach that one is saved at baptism.  Place Acts 2:47 alongside these verses: “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”.  When one is saved at the point of baptism, then, the Lord adds him to His church.

 

Summarizing the above observations, without baptism:

1. One is not saved.

2. Sin continues to pollute one’s soul

3. One continues in the spiritual debt caused by sin.

4. One is outside of Christ.

5. One is not a part of Christ’s church.

 

In light of such, can there be any doubt as to the essential nature of baptism?

 

Copied from the Lindsay Church of Christ Reflections article: Volume 3, Number 2  (Scripture references have been changed to the NIV version.)