Introduction. The Bible teaches that all who put their faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God hoping for salvation from sins and eternal life with God in the age to come should be immersed in water for the remission of sins. This morning I would like for us to consider together what the Bible teaches us about why a person should be baptized.
I. To Obey the Lord’s Commands
John 15:14 goes further with Jesus saying - Finally, John 15:10 declares - II. To Be Forgiven of Sins.
III. To Get Into Christ
I John 5:3 tells us -
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments”
“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.”
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.”
9 times - “remission”
6 times - “forgiveness”
1 time - “deliverance” and
1 time - “liberty”
Thayer tells us that it means: “1. Release, as from bondage, imprisonment, etc. 2. Forgiveness, pardon, of sins (properly the letting them go, as if they had not been committed), remission of their penalty” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pg. 88).
Although this is not the only thing which the Bible describes as being “for” (or in the Greek literally “into” or “unto”) the remission of sins, it clearly shows that it is a necessary part of one’s forgiveness.
So we see that baptism is “for the remission of sins” and something which can “wash away” sins.
II Corinthians 5:17 teaches us --
Ephesians 1:13 tells us that “every spiritual blessing” is “IN CHRIST” (emphasis also mine). Finally, Romans 8:1 promises -
IV. To Be Born of the Water & the Spirit.
V. To Be Saved. VI. So the Lord Will Add One To The Church
Conclusion.
In Acts 8:26-40 we learn about an Ethiopian nobleman who was taught about Jesus. The Bible doesn’t tell us the specific things he was taught, but after being taught about Jesus, he asked Philip (the man who taught him) - “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). I ask you today -- What hinders you?
If one is not baptized they have not been “born of the water and of the Spirit.”
It is commonly taught that water baptism and salvation are two things which have no relationship to one another at all. This is largely due to a misunderstanding of the Biblical doctrine of faith & works. Ephesians 2:8,9 teaches, clearly that salvation is “not of works lest anyone should boast.”
What that tells us is that we cannot atone for even a single sin that is one our account or merit salvation by our own goodness. Hebrews 9:22 proclaims - “without the shedding of blood there is no remission.”
Can we shed our own blood for our sins? No. Only Christ’s blood offers atonement for sins. But how does this blood reach us? Hebrews 5:9 proclaims that Jesus is: “...the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Here the Holy Spirit connects obedience and salvation -- what about baptism?
Thus, if a person wants to be saved they must be baptized.
The Bible tells us that the church is Christ’s body (Ephesians 1:22,23). The church is made up of those who are “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (I Corinthians 1:2).
The church is the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9). The Scriptures tell us that when the end comes Christ will deliver to God the father “the kingdom.” (I Corinthians 15:24). He is not going to deliver some human institution -- or some manmade organization that calls itself His church. He will deliver the church which He purchased with His own blood!