Have You Obeyed It?

Let us look at baptism from the New Testament. John the Baptist was the first to baptize in the New Testament. He told his audience that his baptism was not sufficient. But there would be a baptism to follow his, Matt. 3:11. In Matt. 3:1317, Jesus was baptized of John "to fulfill all righteousness." What was this? All priest must wash before they could minister, so Jesus had to be washed so he could begin his ministry. Jesus was baptized, and we are admonished to "follow his steps." 1 Pet. 2:21Jesus spoke of the importance of baptism in Mark 16:16, when he said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned." It is obvious from this reading that the unbeliever was not baptized. Of course, to be baptized and not believe would not do any good either, Col. 2:12. Jesus eluded to the importance of baptism again in John 3:5, when he told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." From what we have gleaned from our schoolmaster, water, (washing), would have to be baptism. What is the purpose and meaning of baptism? Jesus spoke in Luke 24:46-47, he mentioned remission of sins? Could this be the purpose of baptism? Jesus speaking in the third person (grammatically of course), "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Well, it doesn't specifically mention baptism here. The only place in the entire Bible that repentance and remission of sins is preached is Acts 2:38! And it says, "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Here there is a direct link to remission of sins and baptism. According to Strong's the word "remission" means: "Freedom, pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission." In general, baptism is the means God uses to pardon our sins. A difference between forgiveness and remission is this. Every month the credit card bills come in. A very small percent of the total is paid and they forgive the debt for another month. It is not until the debt is paid in full that it is remitted! When we repent we are forgiven. But when we are baptized, the sins are washed away, remitted, paid in full. No debt remains!In Acts 22:16, when Saul was baptized, Ananias said, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." So here the Bible specifically mentions baptism as the means to wash away our sins! We have already read Jesus' words in Mark 16:16, yet in 1 Pet. 3:21, Peter compares baptism to the flood. How Noah and his house were saved by the "water" lifting them above the destruction. "The like figure whereunto 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:" Peter places great emphasis on baptism in Acts also. We have already looked at Acts 2:38, but he commands Cornelius and his house to be baptized in the name of the Lord," in Acts 10:47-48. All can see the importance of baptism in the shadow of the Old Testament. It is our washing. Except we have been born of water we cannot enter the kingdom of God! This is consistent with entering the Tabernacle. It removes the effects of the works of the flesh like circumcision removes the flesh. Col. 2:11-12, makes a direct correlation between baptism and circumcision. "In whom we are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised you from the dead." Notice this is all possible by "faith in the operation." It is God who is doing the wok in baptism. We just simply obey. In Titus 3:5-6, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." If one is baptized without faith in God to perform the work, one is just getting wet! Our actions do not save us! But obedience to God who is doing the work "through Jesus Christ our Saviour." Titus 2:11, "The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men," yet all are not saved. Why? All have not obeyed! The Scripture said that a child was named when he was circumcised. This is also true with baptism! In

virtually every baptism mentioned in the Bible, the phrase, "in the name of…" is mentioned. Here are a few: Acts 2:38---------------------"…in the name of Jesus Christ" Acts 8:16---------------------"…in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts10:48--------------------"…in the name of the Lord." Acts 19:5---------------------"…in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 22:16-------------------"…calling upon the name of the Lord." Luke 24:46-47---------------"…Christ…and remission of sins…in his name." Matt. 28:19------------------"…in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." If there is any doubt to what the name of the Lord is look in Acts 9:5. Here Saul ask, "Who art thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus…" The only verse that seems to break the flow is Matt. 28:19. However, it does mention a SINGLE name that can refer to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In light of the other verses do you wonder what that name might be? Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's name…" in John 5:43. In John 14:26, Jesus said, "…the Holy Ghost…" would be sent "…in my name." Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." The Bible is very emphatic in its emphasis of one name above all others! The single name given preeminence is none other than JESUS! In Eph. 3:15, we learn, "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named with that name." To receive the family inheritance, one must be named with the family named. It is incredible that there is so much emphasis placed on this one name in Scripture, and yet many fail to see it's need in baptism. We will go through an overview of the some of the remaining verses relating to Jesus name baptism. Rom. 6:3-4-----------------"Buried with him" (Who was buried? Notice not them!) 1 Cor. 1:13-----------------Were you baptized in the name of the one crucified? Gal. 3:27-------------------"…baptized into Christ…" Phil. 2:9-11----------------God has exalted Jesus name above every name Col. 2:12-------------------"Buried with him…" (Who was buried? Not them) Col. 3:17-------------------"word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus" Does baptism count as all? Eph. 1:20-23--------------Christ above all and every name not only in this world, but also that to come." There is not found in all the pages of Scripture, a single baptismal service where an individual is baptized any other way, but in THE NAME OF JESUS! Yes, the New Testament reveals the same importance, the same emphasis, as the Old Testament when dealing with the issue of baptism. It was so important to the Apostles that they baptized at midnight, Acts 16:33 & 25. In the desert, Acts 8:36-39. They commanded individuals to be baptized, Acts 10:47-48. They re-baptized individuals baptized in another way, Acts 19:1-5. Yes, it was really important. It was important to the priest in the Old Testament. It was important to Jesus. It was

important to the Apostles. And it is still very important today! So, have you obeyed it?