One of the most debated topics in Christendom is the subject of baptism. This happens despite the fact that God’s will demands that a person be baptized. Why is this subject debated so fervently?

More often than not the subject is debated NOT because the Bible is not clear—it is debated because men have taken the simple commands of God and twisted and turned them to suit their ideas and misunderstandings. We hear from every quarter that a person does not have to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, as this is “working our way into heaven.” Misunderstanding Biblical faith which does the works of God, not the works of men, and thinking that Biblical faith is simply assenting to the reality of God’s existence and forgiveness. This makes salvation so simple—not realizing that Biblical faith “believes that God exists, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV).

Let’s take a few moments to remind ourselves of what the Bible does say about this and learn the simple lessons that God has revealed to us.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matt 28:19-20, NKJV). This passage tells us that we are to go into the world and make disciples of all. This simply means that we teach others what God requires and we baptize by the authority of the Father, Son and Spirit. After baptism, we are to continue to teach those who have been baptized into Christ to live the Christian life.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16 , NKJV). This passage makes it clear that belief and baptism yield salvation. Many attack this verse by saying that the Greek text in this place is disputed or by making the argument that “it doesn’t say that a person who doesn’t believe and is not baptized will be lost.” To quote Henry Huckeba, “I don’t want to know what to do to be lost—I want to know what I need to do to be saved.” All of the different ways that people have developed to get around this verse will never remove the simple teaching found therein.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, NKJV). This passage teaches that repentance and baptism is tied to the forgiveness of sins. Again, there have been those who have argued that the word translated “for” actually means “because of,” but in the 1,700 instances of the Greek word “eis,” it always means “into” or showing “motion toward.” Hence, when one repents and is baptized, then they are baptized “into” the remission of sins. Baptism is inexorably tied with forgiveness, and it is for this reason that Peter is able to say, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism(not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3:21, NKJV).

God has commanded baptism and has tied it to the forgiveness of sins. We will look at another passage next week that emphasizes what baptism does, thus helping us to know God’s will in this matter.