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Sermons PREACHED BY JOHN GAINES |
The Purpose of Baptism
1. Proverbs 19:21 (NASB) Many are the plans in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand. The original context of that statement has nothing to do with baptism. However, it is surely true that many plans regarding baptism have been conceived in the hearts and minds of men. There are few subjects on which religious people have such a diversity of opinions. However, it is the Lord's will that matters.
2. Almost all who profess to be Christians believe in something they call baptism. Many of them, however, separate it completely from the idea of salvation. Baptism is seen as a Christian duty, but not a part of what one needs to do to be saved from sins and go to heaven.
3. It is my responsibility in this lesson to demonstate that such a view of baptism is mistaken. Our loyalty must be to the truth of God's word. Truth and error aren't determined by majority vote. Let us see what the Bible teaches about the purpose of baptism.
I. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP OF BAPTISM TO OTHER ACTS OF OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
A. Faith and Baptism [Mark 16:16 (NASB) "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."]
1. How can we know that we have been pardoned of our sins?
a. Pardon takes place in the mind of God.
b. We can know that we have been forgiven ONLY as God declares it to us. [Illustration: man on death row awaiting execution 'knows' in his inner consciousness that the governor has pardoned him. The sentence isn't stopped until the message of pardon comes FROM the governor (i.e., the one giving the pardon).] How we feel isn't relevant at all to the fact of whether or not we have been pardoned. We can know of our forgiveness ONLY when God tells us we've been forgiven. He speaks to us in His Word.
2. No one disagrees that salvaiton comes by faith [Ephesians 2:8 (NASB) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;]
a. Some believe that salvation occurs this way:
Repentance + Faith = Salvation (then Baptism)
b. What does the Bible teach?
(1) Faith alone does not save.
(a) Compare two groups of priests --
i. John 12:42 (NASB) Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
ii. Acts 6:7 (NASB) And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
(b) James 2:24 (NASB) You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.
(2) Action is necessary for salvation.
(a) John 1:12 (NASB) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
(b) Acts 11:21 (NASB) And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
(c) Acts 3:19 (NASB) "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
(d) Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
(3) Baptism is the turning act.
(a) Other acts of obedience are necessary but they do not save us.
(b) Look at Mark 16:16:
i. Salvation-by-faith-only advocates would have it read, "He that believes and is saved shall be baptized."
ii. In my Bible, it says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."
iii. The conjunction AND couples two requirements together.
iv. Consider the example of Noah. God could have said, "He that believeth and enters the ark shall be saved from the flood." Could Noah have simply believed God and been spared from drowning? The "like figure" of baptism now saves us [1 Peter 3:21].
(4) Obedience is necessary for salvation [Hebrews 5:8-9 (NASB) Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,]
(a) All agree that faith is essential.
(b) All agree that repentance is essential.
(c) Why does baptism become non-essential?
B. Repentance and Baptism [Acts 2:38 (NASB) And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.]
1. Acts 2:38 has been called the most important verse in the Bible. The gospel was being preached by Peter in its fullness. When the people interrupted him with the cry "What shall we do?" this verse offers the answer.
2. A clear formula for the remission of sins is given:
REPENTANCE + BAPTISM = REMISSION OF SINS
3. The meaning of the Greek proposition "eis" translated "for" [KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV] or "unto" [ASV] has been questioned. Some want to translate it "because of" or "on account of." English sentences are used to illustrate these meanings. He was arrested for stealing" or "He was paid for his work." This works in ENGLISH, but not in GREEK. In Greek, there are two different words. The word eis means "in order to" while the word dia means "on account of, or because of." Let us look at some New Testament examples of the word eis:
a. Romans 10:10 (NASB) for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. KJV/NKJV say "unto"
b. Acts 11:18 (NASB) And when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." [KJV, NIV -- "unto"]
c. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NASB) For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. [KJV -- "to"]
d. Matthew 26:28 (NASB) for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Does anyone say that Jesus gave His blood BECAUSE sins had already been forgiven? No, Jesus' blood was IN ORDER TO OBTAIN forgiveness of sins!
e. Acts 2:38
4. There is a definite parallel between Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 (NASB) "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
a. Acts 2:38 REPENT -- BE BAPTIZED -- REMISSION OF SINS -- GIFT OF HOLY SPIRIT
b. Acts 3:19 REPENT -- BE CONVERTED -- SINS BLOTTED OUT -- REFRESHING
II. THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM IS SEEN IN THE EXAMPLE OF CONVERSION.
A. Philippian jailor [Acts 16:30-33 (NASB) and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.]
1. Acts 16:31 is the proof-text for faith-only doctrine.
a. No explanation is given for other equally-inspired but contradictory statements.
b. It is possible to twist and distort the Bible to support almost any doctrine.
c. This interpretation not only eliminates baptism, it also eliminated repentance and everything else but faith.
d. The logical conclusion to this line of thinking is that the devil will be saved [James 2:19 (NASB) You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.]
2. Notice the flow of narration in this account.
a. The jailor asked what to do [Acts 16:30 (NASB) and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"]
b. He was told to believe [v. 31]
c. He was told what to believe [Acts 16:32 (NASB) And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.]
d. He believed and obeyed [Acts 16:33 (NASB) And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.]
B. Saul
1. It is commonly taught by faith-only advocates that Saul was saved on the road to Damascus.
2. Three days later, Ananias told him to Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' [Acts 22:16 (NASB)].
3. How could Saul have been saved before his sins were washed away?
CONCLUSION
1. The Bible clearly teaches that sins are washed away by baptism [Titus 3:4-6 (NASB) But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,]
2. Are you still in your sins?
3. Invitation
Copyright ©2002 by John Gaines. May be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided this notice accompanies any use.
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LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST |
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