Baptism
Baptism is a conclusive act, an act by which men are transferred into the new life. The new birth is consummated in baptism, this baptism being preceded by gospel faith and repentance. Faith is given expression by confession and obedience; and repentance is given expression by baptism. Some believe and will not: confess, but all who repent are willing to be baptized.
In conversion, man's will blends into the mold of God's will The casual religionist is willing to admit of faith and repentance, since there are good moral virtues in them which affect man inwardly; but since baptism is a recondite term, indicating to them no apparent virtue, they spurn its use in the plan of salvation.
They fail to realize that faith confessed affects the Lord causing him to confess us before his Father, and that repentance expressed likewise affects the Lord causing him to remit sins according to his promise. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38.) Yes, baptism is a fruit worthy of repentance, for God requires man's will to be humbled low in penitence, and baptism does that very thing. Even though man cannot see virtue in baptism, God can.
Was it not divine and of sublime beauty when Jesus was baptized, and the Heavenly Father was made to exclaim, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.? Who could reject what the Lord did here in showing the way, as well as in picturing the course for us in his death, burial, and resurrection?
Even though the rationalist sees no virtue in baptism, the believer does; for he hears God saying, "so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Hence, "we walk by faith, and not by sight."
Baptism as a command is a positive law given by Christ himself (Matt. 28:19); and by our faith working through love (Gal 5:6) we find baptism within the compass of faith. For the Lord has said, "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous." (1 John 5:3.)
In this modern age of atomic development, and the general use of television portraying the finest of arts to the eye as well as the ear, let no one be led out of faith's realm into the thinking that all things can be rationalized, and that man can reason out the Alpha and the Omega in the true Bible religion.
Wherefore, let us all realize that we are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Gal 3:26, 27.) Hence, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.