But, why was water baptism necessary in Israel’s program? Water baptism is an outward sign of an inner transformation and cleansing that identifies one with the body of Christ (Romans 6:1-16). they were come up out of the water" (v. 39). He would sit on his throne. Those who refuse and denounce the importance of it to salvation are unbelievers. Our opinions are worthless if they are not running parallel to what the Scriptures teach. God is pleased to convey his blessings to us in and by his ordinances, Acts. Is baptism of water necessary? Every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. Acts 19:1-5), so the baptism of the Spirit is distinct from water baptism. Baptism shows what happens to a believer at salvation. Baptism now saveth us. The Ethiopian eunuch was completely immersed in water. Jesus was and is the righteousness of God. The note I want to strike immediately — the tone and the truth that I want to set first and foremost — is that baptism gets its meaning and its importance from the death of Jesus Christ, the … This is the command about water baptism that Jesus left with His disciples just before He went back to the Father. He inquired; “How can these things be?” (John 3:9). Finally, while Apostle Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his household and his friends they all experienced being born of the Spirit. A number of groups teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. Several church groups believe in baptismal regeneration; teaching that both repentant faith and water baptism are essential prerequisites to personal salvation. In our three-part series on baptism and church membership, we focused last week on the meaning and importance of church membership. For the forgiveness of sins. Why is water so important in a baptism? Now, if Paul was not sent or called to perform water baptism, he even said it was not a primary job of his, but to preach the gospel, why would we think it necessary for salvation? Water baptism is not only important it is actually essential for our salvation. . Copyright © 2010 – 2021 atotheword.com. When the eunuch asked to be baptized, he and Philip " . Then, to use his words he said “ye must” be baptized in water to be saved. If you are still struggling with this issue give this article a few minutes of your time and see if it can help! This comes through the work Christ performed on Calvary! Themes Baptism is the outward expression of calling on the name of the Lord in faith. Going down under the water is a picture of Jesus' death and burial for sin. report. There are many scripture throughout the New Testament that refers to Jesus as Lord. This just does not sound right does it? Baptism is an outward action based on an inward reality. Although there are some verses that seem to indicate the necessity of water baptism in salvation, the Bible clearly tells us that salvation is a gift that is received by grace through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ; no external act is necessary for salvation because it is only by divine grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:22-30; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9). This is the baptism of the Spirit talked about in 1 Cor. After Jesus emphasized the importance of water baptism to salvation to this Ruler of Israel, he asked a simple but profound question. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "bacroaliv-20"; The Holy Spirit (at baptism) has entered inside to give life, and one becomes a … The external participation of baptism will save no man without an answerable good conscience and conversation. Be the first to share what you think! The baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch tells us once and for all that water baptism is still necessary. There is another part of this verse that is necessary in confessing Jesus! Note, in the Scriptures above that Jesus did not state that water baptism saves the person. V. 10. Learn how your comment data is processed. Paul never made water baptism any part of his gospel presentations. It is impossible for us to duplicate the symbolism of Jesus' water baptism by our own water baptism, because His water baptism presaged His death for us on the cross. There is no doubt about its importance in our salvation. It is important to address all the scriptures they use to say water baptism is no longer necessary. There has never been any true consensus on such important matters as the purpose for its administration, to whom it should be administered, by whom it should be administered, when it should be administered, how it should be administered, etc. If water baptism saves us, Jesus died in vain. There are exceptions to water baptism: It is possible to be saved through “baptism of blood” (martyrdom for Christ) or through “baptism of desire” (that is, an explicit or even implicit desire for baptism). He told Nicodemus: “Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again” (John 3:7). If we can find anyone who is saved without being baptized, then we have proved that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Here is one simple way to explain baptism: A wedding ring is a symbol of the covenant between a … Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Bible Studies According to the WORD. 3:21, ESV). Many people believe that water baptism is not essential to a person’s salvation. Jesus Christ, just before he ascended up to heaven, he told his eleven leaders (Judas was dead) that it was absolutely necessary for salvation. 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