Baptism
baptisma
We can only be saved by faith in Christ's blood which was shed on the
cross for our sins. The Bible makes it very clear that all men are
sinners. God in mercy forgives our sins when we trust in Christ's blood
as the atonement for our sins. There is no other way of salvation. "For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom
God set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God:" (Romans 3:23-25) "In whom we have
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1:7).
We are not saved by baptism. Baptism is not a condition for being saved.
Baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ, and the believer's participation in faith in Christ's death and
resurrection.
Baptism is only for believers in Christ. The believer in Christ receives
baptism because he desires to be identified with Christ as a believer in
Christ's death for his sins and Christ's resurrection for his
justification. The true believer does not receive baptism in order to be
saved, but as an act of obedience to Jesus Christ. Baptism is voluntary
but not optional.
If a person could be saved simply by being baptized, it would mean that
wicked people, who do not repent of their sins could be saved. It would
mean that people who live selfish, worldly lives could be saved merely
by being baptized. This is not true. If we could be saved by receiving
baptism, it would mean that Christ's blood was of no value. The Bible
teaches from beginning to end that "without shedding of blood there is
no remission" (forgiveness of sins) Hebrews 9:22.
Before baptism there must be a complete change of heart. Before baptism
a person must sincerely repent of his sins and put his trust in Jesus
Christ alone for salvation. Baptism is not a condition of salvation.
Baptism is an act of obedience to God on the part of the believer. It is
proper and right for every believer to be baptized and publicly
identifying himself with Christ, but baptism does not save anyone. God
in His mercy saves us through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Randall Runions, Pastor