The purpose of baptism is often misunderstood and misapplied. Some teach that baptism is administered to show that a person is already saved and others say that we are baptized only to imitate Jesus when He was baptized. Still, others offer baptism for babies saying it will protect them in some way. But, baptism is not that complicated and the real reason for baptism is simple. In fact, it can be seen through the New Testament in just three words: washing, remission, salvation.
Baptism is a washing away of sins. When Saul was blinded on the way to Damascus, the Lord told him to go into the city in order to be told what he should do (Acts 9:8). When he arrived, he was met by Ananias who told him to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16). Saul had been a fierce persecutor of Christians and needed those sins removed from his life. Since our bodies can’t be clean before we wash ourselves in water, it only follows that our souls can’t be clean before we wash ourselves in the waters of baptism. Therefore, a person can’t be clean or saved before baptism (Eph. 5:26). This also means that babies and children are not candidates for baptism because they are born spiritually clean, without sin (Eze. 18:20; Mat. 19:14).
Baptism also provides remission of sins. Remission simply means, pardon or forgiveness. This is important because Jesus said He would shed His blood “for many for the remission of sins” (Mat. 26:28). In other words, He would die on the cross in order to make it possible for people to have forgiveness of sins. This was necessary because, “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). So, when Peter preached the fulness of the Gospel on Pentecost, he clearly said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Those who heard him understood (as do we) that it was necessary for them to be baptized in order to receive forgiveness of sins. It is in baptism that we contact the saving blood of Jesus which He shed for the sins of the world (Rev. 1:5; John 1:29). We are not baptized just to imitate Jesus, because He had no sin (1 Pet. 2:22). He was baptized for a different purpose: to obey the Father and show that He was the only begotten Son of God (John 1:29-31).
Baptism is the way to salvation. Peter plainly said, “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). He made this connection with the salvation of Noah and his family who were all “saved by water” (1 Pet. 3:20). In essence, the flood waters were sent to save Noah and his family from the wickedness in the world. We are all baptized in order to “save ourselves” from the wickedness we have committed and separate ourselves from the world (Acts 2:40,41; 2 Cor. 6:17). Jesus even said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). This happens by His mercy and our obedience (Titus 3:5).
So, baptism really isn’t that complicated. It is a burial or immersion in water that is required for us all to die to our old lives and submit ourselves in newness of life to Christ (Col. 2:12; 3:5,10; Rom. 6:3,4). Let us help the world see the simplicity of the Gospel so that “whosoever will” may be saved (2 Cor. 11:3; Mark 8:35).
~Derrick Coble
Baptism is a washing away of sins. When Saul was blinded on the way to Damascus, the Lord told him to go into the city in order to be told what he should do (Acts 9:8). When he arrived, he was met by Ananias who told him to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16). Saul had been a fierce persecutor of Christians and needed those sins removed from his life. Since our bodies can’t be clean before we wash ourselves in water, it only follows that our souls can’t be clean before we wash ourselves in the waters of baptism. Therefore, a person can’t be clean or saved before baptism (Eph. 5:26). This also means that babies and children are not candidates for baptism because they are born spiritually clean, without sin (Eze. 18:20; Mat. 19:14).
Baptism also provides remission of sins. Remission simply means, pardon or forgiveness. This is important because Jesus said He would shed His blood “for many for the remission of sins” (Mat. 26:28). In other words, He would die on the cross in order to make it possible for people to have forgiveness of sins. This was necessary because, “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). So, when Peter preached the fulness of the Gospel on Pentecost, he clearly said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Those who heard him understood (as do we) that it was necessary for them to be baptized in order to receive forgiveness of sins. It is in baptism that we contact the saving blood of Jesus which He shed for the sins of the world (Rev. 1:5; John 1:29). We are not baptized just to imitate Jesus, because He had no sin (1 Pet. 2:22). He was baptized for a different purpose: to obey the Father and show that He was the only begotten Son of God (John 1:29-31).
Baptism is the way to salvation. Peter plainly said, “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). He made this connection with the salvation of Noah and his family who were all “saved by water” (1 Pet. 3:20). In essence, the flood waters were sent to save Noah and his family from the wickedness in the world. We are all baptized in order to “save ourselves” from the wickedness we have committed and separate ourselves from the world (Acts 2:40,41; 2 Cor. 6:17). Jesus even said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). This happens by His mercy and our obedience (Titus 3:5).
So, baptism really isn’t that complicated. It is a burial or immersion in water that is required for us all to die to our old lives and submit ourselves in newness of life to Christ (Col. 2:12; 3:5,10; Rom. 6:3,4). Let us help the world see the simplicity of the Gospel so that “whosoever will” may be saved (2 Cor. 11:3; Mark 8:35).
~Derrick Coble
