Comprehensive Study on Importance of Baptism

To stress the importance of baptism may be strange to some, simply because most denominations and their creeds fail to emphasize it. Some may question if it is even necessary. However, if we turn to God's Word, we will find God's answer to our question concerning the importance of baptism. A more in depth answer is provided here to help answer the large number of questions often raised concerning baptism. Romans 6:3-6 (New Testament) 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Galatians 3:26-27 (New Testament) 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Jesuss real Hebrew name is Yeshua Ben Yosef. In Hebrew Yeshua means"Salvation," and the concatenated form of Yahoshua, is "God is Salvation Christ is an English derivative of the New Testament Greek word christos, which means the, anointed, messiah. Mark 16:16 (New Testament) (Jesus himself speaking) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (keep in mind what Jesus says becomes a command because he is God) Jesus himself not only demonstrated in his own words but also his actions the need for baptism. All converts to Jesus were also baptized.

Matthew 28:19-20 (New Testament) 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. The apostle Peter included baptism as a part of being saved and as a condition for receiving the remission of sins. He later states unequivocally that it is through baptism that one is actually saved: 1 Peter 3:20; 1 Peter 3:21 (New Testament) 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Acts 2:38 (New Testament) Then Peter said unto them, 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 Ghost. (this verse suggests if someone has not been baptized then they have not, yet so far received a remission of sins) Acts 2:39-41 (New Testament) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 10:34-37 (New Testament)(Peter preaching to Gentiles, not Jews) 34)Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; Acts 10:44-48 (New Testament) (Peter preaching to Gentiles, not Jews) 44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them (gentiles) which heard the word. 45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (New Testament) 9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, (effeminate that is to say, the male prostitutes might be transsexual men who act as women. The Bible calls all such gender distortion sin.) nor abusers of themselves with mankind, God.
11 10

Nor thieves, nor

covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of And such were some of you: but ye are washed,(by baptism) but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Why baptism? Why dipping in water? No person today can answer why God chose the symbol of baptism, but some explanation can be provided by examining what is symbolized by baptism. Please consider the following verses: "by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, ... buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." Colossians 2:11-12 From all these verses we learn that baptism symbolizes two things. First, it

represents our decision to "crucify the old man", or to turn from our past sinful life. Second, it symbolizes a spiritual union with Christ's redeeming blood through us being "buried and raised in the likeness of Christ." If we study these verses closely, we will recognize that it as the point of baptism that God redeems us through Christ's blood. Under the New Testament, one cannot contact Christ's blood without baptism, and consequently, will not be redeemed. This is a necessary logical conclusion from these verses.

The Example of the Conversion of Paul

Examining all of the examples of conversion in the book of Acts is compelling, but also overwhelming. So for brevity, only the example of the conversion of Saul (later became the apostle Paul) will be examined here. If you have not already, you will want to read the account of Saul's conversion (Acts 9:1-22). speeches (Acts 21:37-22:24; 26:1-32). After Saul's name was changed to Paul, he also recounted his conversion in two different

Once you have read these passages, you will see that Saul was not saved after Christ appeared to Him. We know this because Christ instructed him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (9:6). And yet, later in the city he still was in need of having his sins forgiven three days later because God's prophet, Ananias, told Saul to "wash away your sins." (22:16). The question is how did Saul wash away his sins? Let's look a little closer at this verse in the parallel account: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16) This example teaches us that repentance alone is not enough for salvation. Reread the verses that tell what Saul did for the three days between the appearance of Christ and when Ananias came (Acts 9:8-11, 19). For three days, Saul had been fervently praying and fasting; yet, his obvious repentance was not enough. Ananias instructed him to wash away his sins through baptism. Also from this verse, we learn that is through baptism that one "calls upon the name of the Lord." This is consistent with the verse we looked at earlier about baptism being an appeal to God towards a good conscience (I Peter 3:21).

CONCLUSION: GOD SETS THE RULES ON HIS CREATIONS, HE CAME DOWN TO EARTH AN WAS HIMSELF BAPTIZED, THEN IN MARK 16:16, IN HIS OWN WORDS SAYS, HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED THEN, TELLS HIS APOSTLES TO GO OUT AND BAPTIZE OTHERS INCLUDING GENTILES. MANY MORE SUCH VERSES SHOW THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING THAT BAPTISM IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION. ITS POSSIBLE THAT THOSE WHO DONT GET BAPTIZED ARE DAMN AND THAT IS A RISK IM NOT WILLING TO TAKE.

BAPTISM IS A COMMAND AND IMPORTANT INDEED