1. In baptism we obtain the forgiveness of our sins:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” Acts 2:38
“Brother Saul… why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” Acts 22:16
“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” 1 Peter 3:21
2. Baptism is one of the conditions of salvation as taught by Jesus:
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” Mark 16:16
3. All believers of the gospel in the Bible were baptized:
“Then they that gladly received his (Peters) word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41
“Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized… And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Acts 10:48
“…and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Acts 18:8
“…when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12
“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart… And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Acts 8:37-38
“And immediately… he (Paul) received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” Acts 9:18
“…she (Lydia) was baptized, and her household…” Acts 16:15
“And the keeper of the prison… said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe… And he took them the same hour of the night… and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” Acts 16:28-33
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:5
4. Jesus, our example, was baptized
“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan” Mark 1:9
5. Because God has chosen baptism as the way we can change from being a sinner and become associated with Christ (become “in” Christ):
“many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ” Romans 6:3
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water… he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5
6. Because without associating ourselves with Christ (being “out of” Christ”) there is no salvation for any sinner:
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23
“That at that time (before baptism) ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:12-13
“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:” Ephesians 4:17-18
Conclusion – A major condition of baptism
So there are the reasons for baptism but there is one huge condition. Belief. In all of the references from Acts quoted above the people who were baptized first beleived. Baptism is not for infants. Baptism is for those who can grasp a particular Biblical subject, the message of the Bible. What did they believe? The Gospel message. Jesus outlined this when he said to his followers:
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16
But what exactly is the gospel message? Well it has two parts:
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12
So before one can be baptised one must first understand and believe the things concerning the “Kingdom of God” and “the name of Jesus Christ”. I would encourage you then dear reader to obtain this knowledge from the word of God, the Bible. If you need help this website is packed full of information related to those subjects (for example see the following articles: The Gospel », The Kingdom of God ») and you can always contact me with questions here ».
If however you do know the Gospel then what are you waiting for? The days are flying and we know that one day the Lord Jesus Christ will return to judge those responsible to the message of Gods word. Alternatively there is the sober thought that we are all mortal and that death could be around the corner for any of us. If we know the Gospel we will be raised to give an account of what we have done with such knowledge. On that day it will be too late for changes. There will be no baptism option. The door will be closed. So take up the opportunity to serve God now, before it is too late.
More on baptism here »
