Believer’s Baptism

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:

and the eunuch said, ‘See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?’ (Acts 8:36)

Why baptism? Isn’t salvation all of Grace in the work of the LORD Jesus Christ alone? Yes! Salvation is in, by and through the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the LORD Jesus Christ alone. Those for whom He accomplished salvation are elect of God the Father before the foundation of the world, whose salvation was accomplished in the fullness of the time, Galatians 4:4. They are called by the Spirit of God in time to Christ and according to Christ’s command submit to water baptism (immersion) as a testimony to the completed work of the LORD Jesus on their behalf. How did the Ethiopian Eunuch even know to inquire about water baptism? Was it not that it was taught to him by Philip as the way of confessing the LORD Jesus whose Spirit had already begun His work of Grace in his heart? Before ascending into glory, our LORD commanded His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel baptizing in the NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Matthew 28:19. One NAME...One GOD in Whom salvation was purposed by the Father, accomplished by the Son and revealed by the Spirit. The One Name is Jesus in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwells, Col. 2:9.

The Greek word for baptize means to ‘immerse’ or ‘dip’. That is because it represents the work of Christ in saving His people by His death, burial and resurrection. However, just as the Gospel of Christ has been perverted by natural minds, so has water baptism (immersion). Decisional ‘regeneration’ has become the norm in pseudo-Christianity whereby salvation is attributed to making a profession of ‘faith’ by walking an aisle, raising the hand, bowing the head, or repeating a prayer, which is then followed up with a discipleship class, leading up to qualifying for baptism. We find no such practice in the Bible. It simply says: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” (Acts 2:41) No prequalification or precondition is required in preparation other than the Spirit of God revealing Christ and His finished work in the heart of one of God’s elect. The watery grave of baptism is an apt picture of the death of Christ. Only the believer can truly testify and rejoice in His death because God has given him eyes to see.

Who then may be baptized? [Acts 8:37] Do you believe in your heart that Jesus is THE CHRIST, God’s Son, anointed and appointed as the Substitute for His people? Has God made Him Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption to you, [1 Cor. 1:30]? If so, then not only you may but you should want to identify with the LORD Jesus in water immersion.