TEN TRUTHS YOU MAY NOT KNOW AND MAY NEVER WANT TO KNOW 7

By Nana Yaw Aidoo

TRUTH 7: Salvation From Sin Is Received At The Point Of Baptism

It is a fact that the greatest problem of man is sin and each and every passing day proves this true. The apostle Paul wrote; "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23). With sin comes death, which is spiritual separation from God, who is the source of life. It is written; "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you..." (Isa.59:2).

The loving and longsuffering God, not wanting any to perish (2 Pet.3:9) sent His Son Jesus Christ to be the propitiation for the sins of undeserving and sinful man. Even "while we were still sinners", "God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son" to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The prince of prophets wrote; "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isa.53:5).

With the forgiveness of sins comes the necessity of the shedding of blood. The bible says; "...and without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb.9:22). Also, anyone who would be saved from His sins, would be saved by the blood of Christ. John wrote; "...To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Rev.1:5). Paul also wrote; "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph.1:7).

However, we know that Christ died for all men (Tit 2:11; 1 John 2:2) and yet not all men will be saved (Matt.7:13-14, 21-23). Thus, if the blood by which we are saved was shed for all men and yet not all will be saved, then it follows that the blood that cleanses, does so only when the sinner meets the conditions of the Savior so as to cleansed of sin by the blood. But if like some contend, there are no conditions attached in order to receive the gift of salvation, then the conclusion is that, all men will be saved since the blood was shed for all men. This is simply false.

What then are those conditions? Let me quote the words of the One who shed His blood for all men; "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned" (Mark 16:16). Our "great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit.2:13) after going to the cross and resurrecting from the dead said that salvation from sin is received at the point of baptism. It is a sad state of affairs when men who claim to love the Lord and the souls of men, use all sorts of "reasoning" to explain these words of Christ away.

Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us the reason why Christ placed salvation at the point of baptism. The apostle wrote; "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom.6:3-4).

According to Paul, the one who is baptized, is baptized into the death of Christ. The death of Christ as we all know, is the place where He shed His blood. Therefore, the one who is baptized comes into contact with the blood of Christ, since he is baptized into the death of Christ, which is the place He shed His blood. That being the case, Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..."

Some people, inspite of the plain words of our Lord, go to all lengths to teach that baptism isn't necessary for salvation. If you were Jesus and you wanted to say baptism wasn't necessary to be saved, how would you say it? Would you say, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved", knowing very well that you want all to understand that baptism isn't necessary in order to be saved? Why would Christ speak those words if He really wanted to exclude baptism from His plan?

Some also read Paul's statement in Ephesians 2:8-9 and conclude that "baptism isn't necessary in order to be saved". This is nothing but "eisegesis". First of all, Paul says nothing of that sort. Read it and see for yourself. Secondly, Paul was not writing to alien sinners to tell them what to do in order to be saved. Rather he wrote to people who were already saved, telling them their salvation was a gift. Do we really believe a servant (Paul) would go against the words of His Master (Christ)?

It is noteworthy that these Ephesians were re-baptized by Paul (Acts 19:1-5). Why re-baptize them if baptism were unnecessary? Besides, Paul himself was baptized in order to wash away his sins. Ananias told him; "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

Finally, the bible teaches that a person puts on Christ at the point of baptism. It is written; "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal.3:27). Does a person have a chance of being saved, who has not put on Christ? Not a chance in this world. However, if like some teach, salvation is received at some point other than the point of baptism, then it follows that a person can be saved without putting on Christ. If you believe this, then you have given the devil an opportunity to lie to you (Eph 4:27; 2 Cor.11:3, 14).

Only the one who hears the gospel, believes it, repents of all his sins, makes a confession of faith in Christ and is baptized unto the remission of his sins, would recieve the salvation from sin that only Christ gives (Heb.5:9).

If you didn't know this truth, hopefully you do now.

God bless us all in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

(To be continued...)