Huntington Church of Christ

The last words uttered by Jesus before His ascension into heaven were, "Go ye unto all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned" (Mark 16:15,16). Like it or not, baptism is an essential part of man's salvation. Jesus said so!

Paul wrote, "For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26,27). Please notice, Paul is not describing an action which is done because one is already saved. To the contrary, the obedient act of baptism saves us by putting us into a proper relationship with Christ.

Before baptism, we are dead in sin, alienated from God (Eph. 2:1-9, 12 Col. 2:12, 13 Rom 6:1-6). Baptism washes our sins away (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 22:16). We are cleansed through the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19-22). Therefore, baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21) and restores our relationship with God (Gal. 3:27).

To die without christ's baptism is to die outside of Christ and in your sins. "Why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name." (Acts 22:16)

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ