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Articles
The Gospel and Baptism
The gospel convicts man of his faults and sins before God and instills in his heart the desire for salvation, which can only be found in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). The gospel instructs the hearer of God’s Word to grow and mature in his faith of God’s will for mankind (Romans 10:17; Titus 2:11-12; 2 Peter 3:18). It requires man to confess his belief in Jesus as Lord and the Son of God (Acts 8:36-37; Romans 10:9-10). It calls for man to repent and be baptized, in water, for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Each of these conditions for salvation are firmly established throughout the New Testament. This is not the work of men through a systematic theology or a doctrinal handbook, but rather it is the gospel as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
This conditional viewpoint of God’s grace has long been debated, or worse yet, ignored by many in the “religious” world today. Many of the religious world have forsaken the ancient pathways revealed by God, and have chosen to walk according to man’s traditions. While each of the conditions listed in the previous paragraph may be agreeable by some, the final condition of baptism is horribly mistreated and misrepresented by the “religious” world today. It is not the scope of this article to evaluate every false claim concerning this condition of salvation, but rather demonstrate by Scripture the necessity of baptism for salvation.
Baptism for the remission of sins is the bedrock of the apostle’s doctrine early in the book of Acts. Peter instructed those who had asked, “What shall we do?…Repent, and each of your be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-38; emphasis mine, bcj). Much has been said concerning the word “for” out of Acts 2:38, but a simple word study reveals that the term means – “for the purpose of, in order to”. The apostle Paul speaking of his conversion and Ananias’ command – “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). This doctrine of baptismal regeneration is found throughout the New Testament and is essential for our understanding of the gospel.
When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, He laid the foundation for this doctrine – “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). This combination of “water and the Spirit” are used together to define the cleansing nature of baptism –
26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word (Ephesians 5:26).
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
While the world would argue against the essential nature of baptism, it is found in every occasion of salvation recorded in the book of Acts (2:38; 8:12, 38; 22:16; 10:48; 16:15, 33; 18:8).
The role of baptism is man’s salvation provides an abundance of blessings that come from being made holy in the sight of God. One blessing that originates from man’s baptism is a good conscience. The apostle Peter wrote concerning this aspect of baptism – “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). The Hebrew writer spoke similarly of baptism – “let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22). Our baptism is “an appeal to God for a good conscience” and by our obedience to His command/condition our hearts are “sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” The role of baptism is not for bathing purposes, but rather it is the moment the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (Revelation 1:5).
Another great blessing that originates from man’s submission to the gospel call of baptism is to be clothed with Christ. The apostle Paul wrote – “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). Our faith is not manifested merely by an acknowledgement of understood or known facts, but rather it is demonstrated by our obedience to the will of God. When we are baptized, then we have been clothed with Christ. Our lives are given a greater and higher purpose. We are no longer living simply by our own desires, but rather as we are directed/guided by the will of God. As Paul would later write – “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24). We should find great comfort and encouragement that our lives have been transformed by our submission in baptism.
The gospel is the greatest honor and blessing mankind has ever received from our Creator. It gives us the hope of eternal life in the future, and the realization of the forgiveness of sins in the present. We are raised from the waters of baptism to live as a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are raised by the power and working of God to the newness of life (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4). The gospel and baptism cannot be separated! One does not experience the fullness of salvation without submitting entirely to the gospel call and be baptized for the remission of his sins. If you have not obeyed the gospel, may it convict your heart of sin and cause you to obey its conditions to be saved. May God bless our efforts to reach those who are lost with the power which resides in the gospel of Jesus Christ!
