THE BIBLE ON BAPTISM
Did you ever wonder why there is so much objection to baptism as a requirement for salvation? We agree that one must believe, repent and confess, so why object to being baptized? Did God fail in making His will understandable? Forget all of man's philosophies and look at what the bible says:
Matthew 28:19 - "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Mark 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned."
Acts 2:37,38 - "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:41 - "They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls."
Acts 8:12 - "But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
Acts 8:38 - "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Acts 9:18 - "And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized"
Acts 10:47,48 - Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ."
Acts 16:19 - And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us."
Acts 16:33 - "And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately."
Acts 18:8 - "and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."
Acts 19:5 - "And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 22:16 - "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name. "
Romans 6:3,4 - "Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life."
I Corinthians 12:13 - "For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit."
Galatians 3:27 - "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ."
God has spoken through His word. Can anyone read the above scriptures and doubt that those in the beginning of the church were taught, and understood, that baptism was essential? Is your desire to serve God according to His will, or to make your own rules, and expect God to accept them? Jesus ask "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
Jack