There are some things so obvious they are plainly seen—that is typically when you hear someone say, “You can’t miss it.” Perhaps you are driving in an unfamiliar place needing directions. So, someone points out a notable landmark (building, sign, or statue) and says, “Turn when you see it, you can’t miss it.” The idea is that whatever you are looking for is clear and easy to see. In fact, when this statement is made, what we are looking for must be so easy to see that we would have to close our eyes to miss it! This is especially true when it comes to salvation and the Scriptures. No one misses the need for faith (John 3:36). No one misses the need for a penitent heart (Acts 3:19). No one will even deny the need to confess Christ (Rom. 10:10). Yet, when it comes to baptism, many miss it. Why? Their eyes are closed (Mat. 13:15; 2 Cor. 4:4). Be honest with yourself and don’t miss what God has plainly revealed:
Baptism is an immersion—You can’t miss the fact that a person must be “buried” with Christ to be properly baptized (Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3,4). No to mention the word, “baptize” means “to immerse” (Thayer).
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins—You can’t miss the plain fact that those on Pentecost were told to “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Modern scholarship recognizes “remission” to be nothing other than forgiveness (freeing from guilt; Bauer/Danker). This is seen in the way it is translated in the ESV, NAS, NIV, RSV, and others.
Baptism is for those who are capable of understanding—You can’t miss the fact that no babies were baptized in the Scriptures. One reason is that they have no sin (Eze. 18:4; Mat. 18:3). Another reason is they are not capable of understanding the Gospel message, have faith, confess, and repent. All must know why they are being baptized (Acts 19:1-7).
Baptism adds you to the church—You can’t miss the fact that there was only one church in the New Testament and not thousands (as exist today). It is clear that when people obeyed the Gospel in penitent faith (being baptized), they were added to the one and only church (Acts 2:38-47).
Baptism saves you—You can’t miss the fact that Scriptural baptism stands between a person being lost and saved. Peter made the simple statement, “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). It can’t be any plainer.
God gave us His Word, so that we could understand what to do in order to go to Heaven. His instructions are plain because He wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Have you missed it?
~Derrick Coble
Baptism is an immersion—You can’t miss the fact that a person must be “buried” with Christ to be properly baptized (Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3,4). No to mention the word, “baptize” means “to immerse” (Thayer).
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins—You can’t miss the plain fact that those on Pentecost were told to “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Modern scholarship recognizes “remission” to be nothing other than forgiveness (freeing from guilt; Bauer/Danker). This is seen in the way it is translated in the ESV, NAS, NIV, RSV, and others.
Baptism is for those who are capable of understanding—You can’t miss the fact that no babies were baptized in the Scriptures. One reason is that they have no sin (Eze. 18:4; Mat. 18:3). Another reason is they are not capable of understanding the Gospel message, have faith, confess, and repent. All must know why they are being baptized (Acts 19:1-7).
Baptism adds you to the church—You can’t miss the fact that there was only one church in the New Testament and not thousands (as exist today). It is clear that when people obeyed the Gospel in penitent faith (being baptized), they were added to the one and only church (Acts 2:38-47).
Baptism saves you—You can’t miss the fact that Scriptural baptism stands between a person being lost and saved. Peter made the simple statement, “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). It can’t be any plainer.
God gave us His Word, so that we could understand what to do in order to go to Heaven. His instructions are plain because He wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Have you missed it?
~Derrick Coble