Subject: what is baptism |
Bible Note: Greetings Kin! I agree, the Lord commands us to be baptized in Matthew 28:19. However, we can look an example in Acts that further defines that baptism is an outward, public display of the inner transformation that has already occurred. Acts 8:26-39 describes how Philip witnessed to and baptised an Ethiopian eunuch. After preaching the Gospel to him, the Ethiopian asks, "What hinders me from being baptized?". And Philip's response was, "If you believe with all your heart, you may.", which was the condition that had to first be met- believing in Jesus Christ with all of his heart- which would indicate that the inward change of salvation had occurred. And the Ethiopian confirms that this condition had already occurred by responding, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Therefore, salvation happened before water baptism, and water baptism was the outward display of the inward conversion that had occurred (with the condition that salvation had already taken place). Your Brother in Christ, Nolan |