BAPTISM AND ITS MANY BLESSINGS
Every biblical subject should be approached with an open mind. The subject of baptism is no different.
BAPTISM AND ITS MANY BLESSINGS
Galatians 3:27 As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ
People tend to listen to what preachers say about baptism than what the Bible says on the subject. They seem to forget that the Bible is our authority, not man (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Believers
Paul clearly states that we are the children of God by faith (Galatians 3:26-27). At no point did he say by faith only (James 2:19-24). Had he done that he would have contradicted Jesus who joined faith with baptism (Mark 16:16 Acts 8:36-37 18:8). We ought to be careful in our use of the word “only” and ensure that we do not insert it in a text (Genesis 3:4 2 Corinthians 4:2 2 Peter 3:16).
Baptism
There were several types of baptism in the early church. Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred on the day of Pentecost and in the case of Cornelius and family (Acts 2:1-4 11:15-17). John’s baptism became outdated (Acts 19:1-6), which leaves us with water baptism (Matthew 28:18-20 Ephesians 4:5). Baptism is described as a washing (Acts 22:16 1 Corinthians 6:11 Ephesians 5:26).
Burial
Baptism is also a death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). It requires enough water to immerse the believer (John 3:23). If sprinkling was just as acceptable as immersion, why did the Eunuch stop his chariot? (Acts 8:38-39). Babies are not proper candidates for baptism because they are not believers, and furthermore, baptism is a burial (Galatians 3:26-27 Colossians 2:12).
Blessings
What are the blessings of baptism? According to Jesus, we have his presence and salvation (Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 16:16 1 Peter 3:21). According to Peter we have remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). According to Paul, we put on Christ, are one in Jesus and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:27-29 14).