There are few doctrines of the Bible maligned in the religious world today like the doctrine of baptism. So many reject its necessity and significance. However, instead of listening to those who would deny the Scripture, let us let our Lord, through His word, tell us what baptism does. What does baptism do? Baptism…

Saves: Most of the religious world says one is saved at the point of faith, prior to, and without baptism – that baptism has nothing to do with salvation. The Scriptures disagree. “There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16).

Remits Sin: “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Ac. 2:38). “Remission” is the forgiveness or pardon of sins.

Washes Away Sin: Ananias told Saul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Ac. 22:16).

Allows One To Receive The Gift Of The Holy Spirit: “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Ac. 2:38). This is the gift of salvation (Ac. 2:39) as revealed and promised by the Holy Spirit (Ac. 2:21; Jl. 2:32).

Puts One In Contact With Jesus’ Death And Blood: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:3). It was in death Jesus shed His blood (Jn. 19:33-34). Ephesians 1:7 teaches us what coming in contact with His blood accomplishes – “redemption…the forgiveness of sins”

Provides The Answer Of A Good Conscience: “There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21).

Accomplishes The New Birth: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’” (Jn. 3:3-5).

Brings Newness Of Life: “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. 6:4).

Adds One To The Lord’s Church: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). The “body” is the “church” (Eph. 1:22-23).

Puts One In Christ: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). In Christ alone do all spiritual blessings abide (Eph. 1:3).

Makes One A Child Of God: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). Faith alone cannot do this (cf. Jn. 1:12).

How someone could look at these plain truths from God’s word and still say you do not have to be baptized to be right with God is beyond me! Have you been baptized?

-David Eldridge