Baptism – No! and Yes!

Matthew 28:19, Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  

Is baptism important?  NO! and YES!

Let’s start with NO!   No – baptism is not that important for it cannot and does not save!  Rather, one is saved by faith in the work of Jesus and saved by faith alone in Christ alone!

Consider the wretch on the cross next to Jesus.  Luke 23:42-43, Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  (saved and NO baptism!!)

And note Hebrews 11:6, Without faith it is impossible to please God.  (FAITH alone!)

And that works, even righteous works like baptism, don’t work – ever!  Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, 

We learn from Philip’s handling of the government official from Ethiopia.  Acts 8:36-38, And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.  (Faith and confession before baptism!)

Then note Paul’s making little of baptism.  I Corinthians 1:14-16, I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

And Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God… (through faith – not baptism!)

And even the Matthew 28:19 verse commanding baptism conditions the event with discipleship – make followers, THEN baptize them!

There are some who make baptism necessary for salvation which is too much when considered against Scripture.  Baptism is a NO as far as salvation is concerned.

Yet, baptism is very, very important.  It is a big YES!

Why be baptized?  Jesus was and Jesus commanded it!  Also, those accepting Jesus as their Savior in the book of Acts were quickly baptized.

So, why is baptism important?  Three ideas:

1. Our salvation was paid for and secured on the cross where Jesus paid the sin price owed to God by rebellious men.  Some hours later He arose from the dead as conqueror of death and the grave. The resurrection was the sign that God accepted the work of Jesus for sin.  The resurrection was the next thing Jesus did.  He saved us, then showed us.  Faith in His work that paid the debt owed to God is to be quickly followed by our work declaring our faith via baptism as Jesus’ resurrection was next after His death.
2. Baptism is an outward sign of the inward change.  It is like the ring ceremony in a wedding.  A couple are married by uttering vows of commitment to one another before a representative of God and witnesses, then on the heels of the vows is the giving of wedding bands as signs.
3. It is a means for someone truly saved to show they have become followers of Jesus and they want other believers to know their commitment to God and that they too are a part of the family of God and desire the prayers, love, and service from the family that they might not sin, might grow, and might be pleasing to God. 

So Baptism is a NO and a YES!  Have you been baptized after your salvation – a salvation only received by faith in the work of Jesus?