8-BAPTISM IS A COMMAND, A MATTER OF OBEDIENCE, FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE In Acts 22:16 we read-AND NOW WHY TARRIEST THOU? ARISE, AND BE BAPTIZED, AND WASH AWAY THY SINS, CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD. Here, it is clear--water baptism after believing on Jesus is a command. Jesus began His earthly ministry by being baptized. Mt 3:13-15-THEN COMETH JESUS FROM GALILEE TO JORDAN UNTO JOHN, TO BE BAPTIZED OF HIM. BUT JOHN FORBADE HIM, SAYING, I HAVE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED OF THEE, AND COMEST THOU TO ME? AND JESUS ANSWERING SAID UNTO HIM, SUFFER IT TO BE SO NOW: FOR THUS IT BECOMETH US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. Note, John the Baptist made the statement, "I HAVE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED." All who believe on Jesus have a need to be baptized by full immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. We see in Acts 16:30-33 that as soon as they believed, HE TOOK THEM THE SAME HOUR OF THE NIGHT... AND WAS BAPTIZED. You are not to be baptized unless you believe on Jesus and repent; but as soon as you do, you are to be baptized. The Bible tells us of Saul (also known as Paul) in Acts 9:18-HE RECEIVED SIGHT FORTHWITH, AND AROSE, AND WAS BAPTIZED. He did not delay, but got baptized as soon as he was able. We see a great baptism, in Acts 2:41, as-THEY THAT GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED: AND THE SAME DAY THERE WERE ADDED UNTO THEM ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS. Again, we note there was no delay. Once they believed, they got baptized. God’s Word gives us the example of Philip and the eunuch. Philip would only baptize him if he confessed he believed on Jesus with all his heart. Some people believe on Jesus with a head knowledge, but faith or trust is not present. Believing with all your heart is necessary before water baptism means anything. Acts 8:35-38-THEN PHILIP OPENED HIS MOUTH, AND BEGAN AT THE SAME SCRIPTURE, AND PREACHED UNTO HIM JESUS. AND AS THEY WENT ON THEIR WAY, THEY CAME UNTO A CERTAIN WATER: AND THE EUNUCH SAID, SEE, HERE IS WATER; WHAT DOTH HINDER (or prevents) ME TO BE BAPTIZED? He was asking, what was preventing him from being baptized. AND PHILIP SAID, IF THOU BELIEVEST WITH ALL THINE HEART, THOU MAYEST. Philip shows clearly, believing with all his heart was an absolute necessity before he would allow him to be baptized. AND HE ANSWERED AND SAID, I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD. 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. AND WHEN THEY WERE COME UP OUT OF THE WATER…HE WENT ON HIS WAY REJOICING. We see the words WENT DOWN BOTH INTO THE WATER, and COME UP OUT, clearly depict immersion baptism. Again, it may be noted there was no delay. The eunuch believed and immediately baptism followed. Many people go to be baptized, but they have so little knowledge of the Bible and of Jesus that they cannot understand or believe on Jesus with all their heart. In some countries, people may gather in great numbers to be baptized; yet when each one is questioned, "Who is Jesus?", many do not understand Who He really is. To many, He is nothing more than a name and a person they sing about. They have no saving knowledge or faith. They are not ready for baptism. Mk 16:16-HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. Note, "BELIEVING" must be in place before water baptism is done; and "believing" is to be WITH ALL THINE HEART. A person cannot believe on or be baptized into One in whom they know nothing about. This is the reason the word "baptism" does not appear a second time after the words BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT. There is no baptism, if one does not believe on Jesus Christ. Many preachers and elders wrongly baptize these people without discerning if they believe on Jesus and understand who He is and what He did. A person that is baptized must understand and believe with all their heart. If they do not, then the baptism has no meaning. They have, in effect, not been baptized.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:24:36 +0000
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