In the previous article we were discussing the design and imperative nature of baptism. This is quite contrary to the position of many denominational churches which sprinkle instead of immersing, and insist that baptism is not essential to salvation. This latter point being the case, one has to come up with some rationale as to the purpose of baptism. If it is not in order to obtain salvation, then wouldn’t it be superfluous? It is commonly said baptism is a sign or outward figuring of something that has already taken place, but there is nothing in Scripture that would describe baptism that way. Some groups, like the Salvation Army, have dispensed with baptism.
Some are afraid that to include baptism in the salvation process, one has introduced works into the equation, and taken away from faith. Well, belief, which is generally insisted upon, is called a work – John 6:29 – this is the work of God that you believe on Him whom He has sent. The fact is there are different kinds of works – there are what we may call meritorious works, by which we mean works that somehow earn salvation, and there are the works of faith (Jas. 2:14-26). The failure to understand this led Martin Luther to label the book of James as an epistle of straw. Baptism is an act of faith. Note Col. 2:12: buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God who has raised Him from the dead. One is not baptised believing there is some sort of magical saving power in water, or that the act itself has some earning power. If truth be known, the one doing the baptising is the one working, not the person submitting to baptising! It’s very similar to Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5) immersing himself 7 times in the Jordan River and being cured of his disease. There was no power in the waters of the Jordan, in fact he alluded to the fact the rivers at home in Syria were better. No leprosy clinics were set up on the banks of the Jordan after this event, because the healing power was God, not the water. He was healed because he obeyed the command of God given to him through the prophet. As Gal. 5:6 declares, faith works by love, and Heb. 5:8,9 describes Jesus as the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.
The essentiality of baptism in salvation can be readily seen from some plain statements as to what baptism does. 2 Tim. 2:1 tells us that grace is in Jesus Christ. That is, the grace of God which is the means of salvation (Eph. 2:8) is to be found, if you will, in a locale. That is, it is found in Christ. Now if we go down a few verses to 2 Tim. 2:10 we find Paul saying that salvation is in Jesus Christ. That is, if we want to be saved, we have to be in Jesus Christ. John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 would testify to the same truth. So then, it is imperative that if we want to be saved we have to be in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not found in the world. So the question devolves to How do I get into Jesus Christ? Gal. 3:27 and Rom. 6:3 have the answer – we are baptised into Jesus Christ!
Now if we are not baptised into Jesus Christ, we are not in the right place to receive the grace of salvation. Saul of Tarsus met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was told to go to Damascus where he would be told what he must do (Acts 9:6). A Christian by the name of Ananias came to him and told him what he had to do. He already believed in Jesus having met Him on the road, was penitent having spent three days blind in fasting and prayer, but he needed to be told what to do. Ananias told him, Why do you delay, arise and be baptised, washing away your sins. (Acts 22:16). Though a penitent believer in Christ, he was still in his sins, and outside the saving grace of God, until his sins were forgiven upon being baptised into Christ.
Where are you now, in Christ or still outside Christ? Remember salvation is in Jesus Christ, and you have to be baptised into Christ to enjoy that salvation.