Holding forth the Word of Life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ
Philippians 2:16
Trinity Reformed Baptist Church
Topeka Kansas -
What Is Scriptural Baptism?
The Baptism of Our of Jesus Christ: "Jesus said to John the Baptist, when John hesitated
to baptize Him, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness."
Matthew 3:15 The word translated "fulfill" in the KJV means to "accomplish, complete,
or execute." All of these terms imply a work or task, which declares baptism to be
a work of righteousness'. Therefore, our Savior called baptism a ' work of righteousness
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Baptism does not save: Salvation is all accomplished by the unmerited grace of God,
that brings the sinner to faith in Jesus Christ his sin bearer. It is not baptism
that becomes a work of righteousness to save our soul. "For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: "Not of works,
lest any man should boast". For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
"unto good works", which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians
2:8-
Baptism does not mean washing: Titus 3:5 explains, "Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by 'the washing of regeneration',
and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Ephesians 5:25-
Baptism has no saving merit We know and understand by reading the scriptures that our Lord Jesus Christ had no sin in His life. He was the spotless lamb of God that came to save sinners from their sins. He accomplished these tasks through His earthly ministry, leading to His death on the cross, where He atoned for the believer's sins. He was literally dead and buried in a tomb for three days, and on the third day He was bodily resurrected to newness of life, to live forevermore. He later showed himself alive to hundreds of people before He ascended into Heaven to be glorified of God the Father. Jesus Christ now reigns as King of kings, and Lord of lords in each believer's heart to intercede on each believer's behalf forevermore. The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ was an act of obedience to demonstrate a truth of the gospel, in preparation for His earthly ministry. Christ's baptism demonstrated His act of obedience perfectly! Therefore, Christ's baptism established an example for every believer in Christ to follow.
Infant baptism is not scriptural for three reasons: (1) There is not one infant anywhere in the Bible that is baptized to set an example, reason or standard for others to follow. (2) No infants has any ability to believe the gospel, or realize that they are sinners in need of salvation. (3.) No infants have made a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ, to be their sin bearer, for payment of their sins. Therefore, because none of these conditions can be justified anywhere in the scared text, they can not in any manner be pleasing to God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, or the blessed Holy Spirit. Infant baptism is a foreign practice and invention of men that circumvents the expressed will of the Holy Trinity. Baptism is always pictured in scripture were persons who confess and believe in Jesus Christ, obediently follow their Lord in water baptism to demonstrate their allegiance to Him. Infants do not have this ability, nor desire in their hearts. Infant baptism is a useless act that only appeals to the parents, not to God.
Water baptism by emersion of the new believer: There are many examples given throughout the New Testament of believers being baptized immediately after their profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Many examples are shown especially in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. Therefore, a believer should be baptized soon after trusting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Since it is a picture of the salvation of the believer, baptism should never precede salvation.
Water Baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward transaction. The inward transaction refers to the believer's acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, which is their salvation. The outward transaction is Baptism which in reality pictures the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Scriptural baptism is emersion in water of each new believer. Baptism pictures the believer is admitting his/her death to their old nature, they are then buried in a watery grave, and then raised [resurrected] to a life with a new nature, that the believer now possess. It is following the example of Jesus Christ, Who was baptized by John the Baptist. It is a work of righteousness. (Matthew 3:15).
Baptism has absolutely no merit to obtain salvation for an infant, child or adult. Baptism is an act of obedience of the believer, that demonstrates to all others in the church that he or she truly believe that their Lord and Saviour has accomplished it all in His death burial and resurrection. This visible act of baptism is a witness of a persons faith in Christ and their desire to identify their life in obedience to Him. Furthermore, it is an act of testimony to others of the reality of their personal identification with Christ.
Baptism should not give any person assurance that all things are or will remain well with their soul. Christians must continue to be obedient to their profession of faith in Christ. If any person is not willing to follow their Lord in daily faith and obedience to their Lord's commands, found only in the scriptures, then their faith is spurious and has no merit in the eyes of God. We are not saying in any manner that a believer will not sin or must life a perfect life: for their will be times and occasions that sins will occur, but they must be recognized, confessed and repented of. But overall ever true believer will preserver and strive to live a life in biblical sanctification, for only this is pleasing their Lord and God.
There is nothing that a believer can add to merit salvation including baptism, or any other works of righteousness. There are some churches claiming that Baptism regenerates and gives spiritual life, and is required to secure what Christ has done. We believe they error greatly! Remember this, our Lord Jesus Christ paid it ALL through His sacrificial death on cross to atone for our sin. All to Him we owe!