I have been a Pastor for over 40 years but more importantly have been a committed follower of Jesus - one that I hope can be described as a disciple of Jesus - for over 47 years. In my early days of following Christ I ran across the issue of baptism. It was a moment of crisis because I had been baptized as an infant and now was confronted by the Scripture about believer's baptism.
The Scripture reminds us that Salvation is by Grace through Faith, not of works, it is a Gift of God. So Baptism by no means is a work of Salvation. Yet, Baptism is introduced in Scripture by Jesus himself and along with the Lord's Supper is given to the Church as a matter of confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism - as Peter points out in his letter - does not save, but instead it makes a confession of salvation already done.
Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptism as a way of identifying with the need for repentance and salvation - even though he did not need to repent, and was in fact the coming Savior. Yet, he was baptized because he wanted to "fulfill all righteousness". Jesus prevailed upon John as doing the right thing before God. Jesus and his disciples also baptized as John had done...the Pharisees noting that he was doing more than John. Yet, these "descriptive" practices are outweighed by the clear command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 to "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
It seems plainly clear that Baptism is a consequence of making disciples, which is a direct result of "believing the Gospel" about Jesus.
In Acts 2 the same thing occurs. Acts 2:36-41
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Scripture reminds us that Salvation is by Grace through Faith, not of works, it is a Gift of God. So Baptism by no means is a work of Salvation. Yet, Baptism is introduced in Scripture by Jesus himself and along with the Lord's Supper is given to the Church as a matter of confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism - as Peter points out in his letter - does not save, but instead it makes a confession of salvation already done.
Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptism as a way of identifying with the need for repentance and salvation - even though he did not need to repent, and was in fact the coming Savior. Yet, he was baptized because he wanted to "fulfill all righteousness". Jesus prevailed upon John as doing the right thing before God. Jesus and his disciples also baptized as John had done...the Pharisees noting that he was doing more than John. Yet, these "descriptive" practices are outweighed by the clear command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 to "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
It seems plainly clear that Baptism is a consequence of making disciples, which is a direct result of "believing the Gospel" about Jesus.
In Acts 2 the same thing occurs. Acts 2:36-41
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
My friends who believe that infant baptism is the proper role park their argument on vs 39. I understand how necessary that is; but the plain reading of the text is that the order of response to the Gospel is:
Conviction of Sin... Repentance.... and in coming to Faith in Jesus...Baptism.
It is in vs 41 that we read "they accepted the message and were baptized".
What about vs 39? I believe Peter is simply stating that this is true for everyone even children.
This pattern of repentance, believing in the message concerning Jesus Christ, and then being baptized is repeated over and over in the book of Acts. Look at Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in chpt. 8; Peter with Cornelius in chpt 10; as well as Paul's encounter with Lydia in Acts 16.
It seems that the plain teaching of Scripture is that believers, and only believers, are baptized. WHY?
1. It is a confession of personal faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10) If anything, baptism is a public confession of faith in Christ, even as the Lord's supper testifies of our faith in Jesus Christ.
2. It is expressive of our union with Jesus Christ which Romans 6 makes clear. The picture of Baptism is an expression of our life in Christ through his death, burial and resurrection...which is now the reality of our own faith in Christ.
3. It is expressive of our obedience to Christ...an act of commitment that places Christ's Lordship in our lives as greater than any other allegiance in life. This is what Peter says in 1 Peter 3:21. In essence, the pledge of a good conscience is the confirmation of our pledge.
I was baptized as a 20 year old brand new believer in Jesus Christ. Yes I had been sprinkled as an infant, and yes I had been confirmed in a Church; but I had no relationship that could be described as Saved by Grace through Faith until I came to Christ at age 20. My family and friends did not understand why I was baptized...but I did.
Like a business sign out front of a store: "Under New Management" - It was what happened in my life.
Peace
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