We Were Baptized Into Christ!

“I doubt, indeed, whether we have any warrant for saying that a man can possibly be converted without being consecrated to God. More consecrated he doubtless can be, and will be as his grace increases; but if he was not consecrated to God in the very day that he was converted and born again, I do not know what conversion means.” -Bishop Ryle, quoted in J. Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, p. 38

Many New Testament passages speak of salvation by faith, and I believe every one of them exactly as they are written (John 3:16). The question that comes to one's mind about this "salvation by faith" is probably, "How are men saved by faith?" Think of John 3:16 as the starting point, not the answer to the question of salvation. For one thing, believers have the right to become children of God (John 1:11-12).

The word "right" means authority, right, liberty, ability (See: Barclay M. Newman, Jr., A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament). The same word is used in other passages (John 19:10; Acts 5:4; Luke 7:8). Sometimes believers reject this right (Acts 6:7; Romans 16:25-27). Since men are saved by faith, we need to find out when it occurs.

First, let's look at The Great Commission in Mark 16:16. There are five views of this verse:1. Catholic: "He who believes not and is baptized shall be saved".
2. Atheist: "He who believes and is baptized shall not be saved."
3. Universalist: "He who believes not and is not baptized shall be saved."
4. Baptist: "He who believes and is not baptized shall be saved."
5. Bible: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved."
Clearly, the conditions for salvation are named: faith and baptism. The condition for damnation is also named: disbelief (cf. John 3:18). Baptism is the act which faith obeys!

Next, we'll look at the First Gospel Sermon After the Cross (Acts 2:14-41). When did these people receive the "remission of sins"? Did they receive them:
1. When Peter begain preaching (Acts 2:14f)?
2. When they were "pricked in their hearts"? (Acts 2:37)?
3. When they cried out, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)?
4. When Peter told them to "repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38)?
5. When they obeyed the commands (Acts 2:40-41)?
There is an inseparable connection between baptism in water and the remission of sins. This passage makes the remission of sins depend on baptism just as much, and in the same sense, as it depends on repentence. Therefore, if repentence is essential to salvation, then so is baptism.

Finally, I refer you to a few more passages from the Bible on the subject of "Salvation by Faith". In Acts 8:26-40, we see the conversion of the Ethiopian Nobleman. Here is a believer about to exercise his right to become a child of God! In 1 Peter 3:18-22, you can read about Noah's salvation and ours. He was saved by grace, faith, obedience, water, and so are we! (Genesis 6:8; Genesis 6:22; Hebrews 5:8,9; Hebrews 11:7; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 16:31; 1 Peter 3:20,21).

There are a few additional things to keep in mind about this subject. One is: baptism is always before salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 3:21). Another is: salvation is attributed to many things. These include: belief (Acts 16:31); confession (1 John 4:2); God (2 Timothy 1:8,9); grace (Ephesians 2:8); gospel (Romans 1:1); hope (Romans 8:24); repentance (Acts 11:18); the Holy Spirit (Titus 3); blood (Romans 5:9); works (James 2:24); Jesus (Matthew 1:21); baptism (1 Peter 3:21). Now, I ask you, can one of these items exclude the rest?

In closing, the message you should walk away with today should be, "We are the children of God because we were baptized into Christ!" (Galatians 3:26,27)

Prayer:

May the grace of Christ our Savior,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favor,
Rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
Amen.

May God always bless you,

Lea