Baptism is a basic fundamental of the Christian faith. Water Baptism never could and never can remove sin. Baptism has one purpose and one purpose only, and that is for a new Christian to show their identity with Christ death, burial and resurrection. When a person gets Saved the first step in obedience is to be water Baptised. Scripture is often taken out of context, especially with this subject but the main fault is not comparing Scripture with Scripture. The reason comparing Scripture with Scripture is at least 2 fold.

1. Scripture does not and can not contradict Scripture.

2. By taking most any verse, and letting that verse stand alone, makes it possible to make the Bible say just about anything a person wants it to say. As an example, the shortest verse in the Bible says, “Jesus Wept.” Does it say that is all Jesus did? Of course not but if that was all you knew about Jesus you might get the idea that all He did was weep.

Let’s start by taking the most misunderstood verse concerning Baptism, Acts 2:39.

” Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost.”

This is Peter speaking. He clearly says repent and be Baptized for the remission of sins. But hold on, does he says Repent and be Baptized in order to get your sins remitted? No, he says “For or Because you have your sins remitted. Don’t get too excited here as we must compare Scripture with Scripture. Is there anywhere else that Peter actually explains what Baptism is for? Yes, of course.

Before we go there, let’s make some observations concerning personal Salvation. When a person gets Saved they admit to God they are a sinner and have fallen way short. The Bible often talks about our flesh being sinful. When we get Saved, we get our sins removed and therefore obtain a clear conscience toward God. Now let’s look at what Peter actual says Baptism is for.

“Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even 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: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” 1st Peter 3:20-22 

Now let’s go real slow here so you don’t get confused. At first, I want you to look at some words. The words “Like Figure” and the words putting away the filth of the flesh.

What is a like figure. A like figure is a picture or a symbol that represents something. In this case Noah’s Ark was and is a symbol or picture of Salvation. Once in the Ark the punishment and destruction of all mankind came but Noah and his family were Saved. Not Saved Spiritually but Saved physically. But you and I know, we are more than just flesh. We also have a spirit. Often in the Bible God compares spiritual things to fleshly things. Why? Because we can not see with our physical eyes spiritual things and by comparing, God is making it easier to understand.

Getting Saved is a spiritual issue, not a flesh issue. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that our fleshly nature does nothing but sin and there is no good thing in it because it has been polluted by sin.

Now go back up and read the verse again. It says Baptism not Save the flesh but instead is an answer of a good conscience toward God.

Baptism is a figure, a picture, an answer of a clear conscience toward God. How did we get our clear conscience? By turning to Jesus Christ to Save us! Baptism identifies us with Christ.

That is why complete immersion is so important. In Colossians 2:12 it uses the term buried with Him in Baptism. Are we actually or were we actually buried in the tomb with Christ? Of course not. It is merely a picture or a symbol.

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12

When we go under the water, it represents or is a picture of us being buried with Him, when we come up it represents we are now risen with Him.

Baptism is a figure or a picture. It is what God tells us to do after we are Saved. Only what Jesus did on Calvary can remove or take away our sins.

For you that have been taught differently, it would be good to read this several times so you can understand.

Now to the part that a growing number of Baptist hate. Baptism is not a means of becoming a member of any church. When a person gets Saved, their sins are removed whether they get Baptized or not. The thief on the cross is but one example. It is only by putting our trust in Jesus Christ that our sins are removed.

Let’s look at one verse that a growing number of Baptist, plus of course other denominations use. After Acts 2:38 it says, in verse 41.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Yes these folk got Saved, Repented and they were added unto them about three thousand souls. No where in Scripture does it say Baptism Saves anyone spiritually or is a requirement for church membership. Church membership is never mentioned in the Bible. On the other hand the Scripture teaches that local assemblies ob believers has a structure. with a Pastor, Deacons and teachers. The local church has 2 functions. For the edifying of those whom are Saved and for spreading the Gospel. It is a natural thing for a Saved individual to assemble with other believers and become active and participate in the local assembly.

Why do many Baptists hate what I am writing?

Simply because they add to Scripture what is not there. They weave their own logic into it and some say Scripture teaches more than what it actually does. I have heard some Baptists trace their denomination back to John the Baptist. No where do we find in Scripture any assembly of believers called a Baptist assembly. Not that it is necessarily wrong to call a local assembly a Baptist assembly, but it certainly is not a Holy Writ.

There are many assemblies called Baptist that have very correct Doctrine but they are many whom do not.

Scripture plainly teaches that Baptism is a picture or figure and refers the believer to being Baptized into Christ, not the Church.

” Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27

It does not say baptized into the Church, it clearly says Baptized into Christ.

When Scripture says something so plainly it is wrong to twist and turn it to say something else.  More later as I recall…….