As we begin this study, it is needful to point out that our study will be: "What does the Bible say about baptism?"--not grace, or faith, or the blood of Christ, ect. Indeed, we believe and insist that man is saved "by grace through faith" (Eph. 2:8). Yes, grace saves; yes, faith saves. That is not the issue. The issue is: Does baptism save? What does the Bible teach about baptism? The Bible teaches that grace and faith save; the question is: "When does faith save, before or after baptism?"
Baptism is a command. This is why our Lord was bapized. Oft times we have heard it said, "Jesus was baptized as just an example to us." The Bible says that Jesus was baptized "to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15). We read in Psalms 119:172 that "all thy (God's) commandments are righteousness." Thus, Christ was baptized because it was a commandment of God. In Acts 2:38, Peter told the heart-pierced believers on the day of Pentecost, that they must "repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins." He did not give them an option. In order to receive pardon for the crime of crucifying the Son of God, repentance and baptism in the name of the Savior were commanded. In Acts 22:16, Ananias told the believing, penitent Saul to "arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Thus we see that baptism is a commandment of God.
All spiritual blessings are in Christ. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). Then in verse 7 we read, "in whom (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace." These two verses instruct us that all spiritual blessings, including the forgiveness of our sins, are found in Christ. The question is, how do we get into Christ? In order to be in a building we must first go into it. Likewise, in order to be in Christ, we must first get into him. How is this accomplished? It isn't by faith only. We do not believe "into Christ." "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness..."(Rom. 10:10). Notice, man believeth unto (moving in the direction of) righteousness. Also, we do not repent "into Christ." In Acts 11:18, we read that repentance is "unto life." Again, not "into" but "unto." Repentance, though necessary, is not what places us "into Christ." Confession isn't enough. We do not confess "into Christ." Though we must confess in order to obey God, Paul tells us that confession with the mouth is "unto salvation" (Rom. 10:10). So, we believe "unto righteousness," repent "unto life," and confess "unto salvation." But how do we get "into Christ?" "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27). Baptism is into Christ. Just as I must put on my coat before I get into it, even so, I must "put on" Christ (in baptism) before I get "into" him. Baptism alone is valueless. Without faith, repentance and confession, baptism would avail nothing. But, unless one is "in Christ" he does not have "all spiritual blessings." And unless one has received New Testament baptism, he is not "in Christ." Rejecting baptism can be that one thing which will be spiritually fatal. Study carefully. Don't take what some man says about it, only what God says. Man must be baptized in order to be saved (Mark 16:16, 1 Pet. 3:21).
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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