SALVATION and BAPTISM

If you're not saved, it isn't the fault of God     - He gave His Son.

If you're not saved, it isn't the fault of Christ  - He gave His blood, the cleansing agent for the stain of sin.

Baptism was designed by God to be a beautiful, meaningful act of obedience. 

·        It's the watery symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (Romans 6:3-5)  There we contact the cleansing blood of Christ.

·        It's the rebirth, the bringing forth of a new creature into newness of life. (John 3:3-7 and Romans 6:4)

·        It's the obedient act, where the cleansing from sin occurs, that sends a person on their way rejoicing. (Acts 22:16 and 8:39)

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Before being baptized,….

·        You must have sin to wash away. (Infants are sinless.) (Acts 22:16)

·        You'll need to know what you're doing and why. (Read Acts 8 - The Ethiopian was taught first, before he was baptized.)

·        You'll need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (John 8:24)

·        You'll need to confess this belief before men. (Luke 12:8)

·        You'll need to repent / turn away from any sin in your life. (Acts 3:19) 

·        You'll need to be baptized in the right way. (Romans 6:3-5 describes baptism as a burial in water)

·        You'll need to be baptized for the right reason. (Acts 2:38 for the remission / forgiveness of sins)

  Then, live faithful unto death, and receive a crown of life eternal. (Rev 2:10)

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New Testament Conversions to Christianity:

·        Ethiopian               Acts 8: 35-39

·        Saul / Paul             Acts 9: 1-19 / 22: 6-16 / 26: 12-16

·        Jailor                     Acts 16: 27-33

·        Many others          (Can you find them in the New Testament?)

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Baptism is an immersion in water, not pouring or sprinkling.

·        The Greek word baptizo (English- baptism) is literally translated “to dip, to plunge, to immerse or submerge”. Our English word baptism is not a translation, of the Greek word, but rather, is a transliteration - (transliteration - a word that has been transformed into English). This English word first appeared in the translation authorized by King James of England. King James, as the head of the church of England, accepted other methods of so-called baptism. Fearing the wrath of the king, his translators, rather than translating the Greek word baptizo, did not offend their king, and transliterated the Greek word, to allow King James and others to interpret it to their own liking. Many, even today, interpret the word to their liking.

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What does baptism do?

·        John 3:3-7 teaches that in baptism we are born again.

·        Acts 2:37-38 teaches that baptism is for remission / forgiveness of sins.

·        Acts 22:16 teaches that in baptism sins are washed away.

·        Romans 6:4 teaches that in baptism we are buried with Jesus into death, and then we walk in newness of life.

·        Colossians 2:12 teaches that in baptism we are buried and raised with Jesus.

·        Galatians 3:27 teaches that baptism places us into Christ, and by being baptized we put on Christ.   

·        I Peter 3:21 teaches that baptism is the point in time when we are saved.

Can a person be saved without these things?     …No.

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In John 14: 15  Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Will you keep His commandment regarding baptism?

·        In Matthew 28: 18  Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."

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Would you like to ask a question about baptism? 

Would you like to obey this command of Christ?

We are ready to assist you.

Shane Hoover, Minister

Greeneville Church of Christ