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One Must Be Baptized To Be Saved? By: Gary Colley
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One Must Be Baptized To Be Saved? By: Gary Colley
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Though there are many references to baptism in the New Testament, three verses readily come to mind concerning the necessity of baptism for salvation. Mark 16:15-16 clearly states Jesus' words, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved . ." Also the Holy Spirit through Peter on the beginning day of the church says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)." Peter also says in I Peter 3:21, ". . baptism doth also now save us . ." Most religious people have submitted to some kind of baptism, but not always for the purpose taught in the Bible. There is only one purpose for baptism give in the New Testament and the only purpose for baptism given in the New Testament is FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. If the Bible taught, "He that believeth and is baptized shall receive $1,000," no one would misunderstand that baptism would cause one to receive $1,000! We are not taught to be baptized TO ENTER A DENOMINATION, since there were no denominations made by human creeds in the New Testament. We are not taught to be baptized AFTER SALVATION BY "FAITH ONLY," but rather we are informed that baptism is for, or in order to obtain salvation. Baptism is NEVER A SPRINKLING OR POURING of water in the New Testament, but rather a burial in water, AND A RESURRECTION from water (Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:38-39). There is no "resurrection" from sprinkling or pouring, and therefore this action does not constitute New Testament baptism (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12). Scriptural baptism requires that one must first be TAUGHT the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). Infants therefore are not scriptural subjects for baptism. Scriptural baptism requires that one must first BELIEVE (Mark 16:15-16). Scriptural baptism requires that one first REPENT of their past sins. Without repentance, even immersion is not scriptural baptism. Scriptural baptism requires that one first CONFESS HIS FAITH IN CHRIST. Have you really been correctly baptized, for the right purpose, and in the right way? Your salvation depends on your obedience to the Saviour, Jesus Christ! Guided by the Scriptures, one knows he is right. Obey today (II Corinthians 6:2).