Subject: What does it mean? |
Bible Note: What this means, according to Eddie Snipes, is that yes, baptism is essential but no, it does not have the power of salvation. If a person is not willing to obey in baptism, then they haven’t really surrendered to Jesus as Lord. You can’t surrender in disobedience. Baptism is an outward sign of the inward covenant between you and God. There are two scenarios of believers who will not be baptised. Those who lack opportunity to attend baptism because they are a prisoner in some foreign country where it is unavailable, and those who refuse to be baptised. Those that refuse to be baptised are wilfully disobedient to a command. This does not only apply to baptism, but also for living life as a child of God. Anyone who refuses to obey is in rebellion and should examine their life to see if they indeed have surrendered to Christ. Anyone who refuses baptism also refuses to be identified with Christ. The other scenario is the case of lacking the opportunity to be baptized. On the cross, Jesus granted salvation to a thief who would never have the chance to follow up with baptism. The thief was being crucified for his crimes. He acknowledged his sins and asked Jesus to remember him when He entered His kingdom. Jesus promised, this day, you will be with me in paradise. He was justified by faith alone. The same is true for many believers all over the world and throughout the last two thousand years. Those who surrender to Christ and die before getting baptized will not lose their salvation. Do these forfeit salvation because they lack the opportunity? No. The covenant is sealed in the heart and baptism is an outward profession of a covenant with God that has already taken place. To understand scripture, it must be interpreted by scripture. In other words, scripture will never contradict itself and usually the complete picture of a biblical principle is not revealed in a single passage. Biblically, baptism always follows a commitment to Jesus Christ. Baptizing and christening a young child may be fine as a symbolic ritual, but it does not count as a substitute for believer’s baptism. A decision must come first otherwise a person is only getting wet. The Bible clearly teaches that baptism is identification with Christ. It is an outward testimony to the world of an inward change that Jesus has made because we have invited Him into our hearts and surrendered our life to Him. Many passages throughout the New Testament validate that no external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by God’s grace through faith alone. If baptism were necessary for salvation, it would be presented with each gospel presentation. It is not. Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:38 is used as evidence that it is necessary, however in Acts 3:12-26 Peter preached salvation through repentance with no reference of baptism. There are many times the gospel is presented as faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, and the list goes on throughout the New Testament). Salvation is through faith. Baptism is my testimony and an outward profession of my covenant with Christ. This was edited, in part, for the sake of brevity from Sermon Central, authored by Eddie Snipes. SermonCentral.com Web Site Copyright Statement Copyright © by SermonCentral.com and the authors. This material is provided for personal study or for use in preparation of sermons, Sunday school classes, or other oral communication. This material may be quoted in written form but give credit where credit is due (author's name and web site address: www.sermoncentral.com). |