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Why Be Baptized
?
There are two main points of view about why a person
should be baptized. One view holds that baptism is a purely symbolic act
which should be done in order to show that we have recently been
saved. The other view says that, while baptism is symbolic of the death,
burial, and resurrection of Christ, that it is more than just a symbol.
This view holds that baptism is a direct and vital command of the Lord
which must be obeyed in order to receive salvation. If you have been baptized,
think back for a moment about why you were you baptized. Was it because
you felt that you had recently been saved, or were you baptized in order
to be saved? And now with this question in mind, let's turn to the Bible
to see what God really says about why a person should be baptized. In Acts
Chapter 2, verse 38, the Apostle Peter in his great sermon on the day of
Pentecost said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost". The Bible says in this passage that both repentance
and baptism are equally necessary for the remission of sins. When we remember
that Peter was speaking by the inspiration of God, this verse should forever
settle this question in our own minds. Baptism, according to the Bible,
is not because we have already been
saved. But Does baptism really wash away sins? Some say no! The Bible
says yes. In other related scriptures we read that "Baptism doth also
now save us" (I Peter 3: 20,21). The Apostle Paul adds that we are
not even in Christ until we have been scripturally baptized. We read this
in Galatians 3: 27, and in Romans 6: 3,4). If you have never obeyed the
Lord by being baptized for the remission of sins as the Bible requires,
may we encourage you to do so today. If you need assistance in obeying
the Lord in this vital matter, please feel free to contact the Church of
Christ nearest you.
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