SOME “IF’S” AND “WHY’S” ABOUT BAPTISM

Cecil Cox

• IF baptism is not necessary to salvation, WHY did Peter say that “baptism doth also now save us?”  1 Pet. 3:21.
• IF one can be forgiven of his sins without baptism WHY did Peter command  “be baptized for the remission of your sins?” Acts 2:38.
• IF sins are taken away before baptism, WHY was Saul of Tarsus told by Ananias to “arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord?”  Acts 22:16.
• IF one is a child of God without being baptized, WHY did Paul say that the Galatians were “children of God by being baptized into Christ?”  Gal. 3:26,27.
• IF baptism is of no importance, in one’s service to God, WHY was Cornelius  and his household told to be baptized in water? Acts 10:48.
• IF baptism is not essential to one’s salvation, WHY did Jesus say:  “He  that believeth and is baptized shall be saved?”  Mk. 16:16.
• IF one becomes a member of the body of Christ, the church of Christ, without baptism, WHY did Paul write to the Corinthians saying: “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body?” 1 Cor. 12:13.
• IF baptism is for the remission of sins, to wash away sins, to put one into Christ, a command of God, in order to salvation, WHY will men refuse to obey God in being baptized?”

Paul wrote to the Ephesians and said:  “In Him we have redemption  through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” 1:7.  Jesus shed His blood to redeem us from our sins.

 QUESTION: — Where and at what time did Jesus shed His blood?  He shed His  blood  when He died upon the cross.  Paul says that we are baptized into His death Rom. 6:3,4.  He goes on to say in that very same chapter that when we are baptized into Christ, we obey that  form of doctrine that is presented in the  death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  Rom. 6:16-18.  So, we urge you to humbly submit your life to Christ by being baptized into Him, into His body, the church of Christ.