Plain Bible Proof On Water Baptism
We do not need to convert men to baptism; we need to convert them to Christ. If one truly believes in Jesus, he will not quibble or try to get around baptism. Our faith is not in baptism, but in Jesus who commanded it. Hence, if we love Christ, we will respect his will in the matter. That baptism to the penitent believer is necessary is clearly taught in the New Testament. There are those who practice what they call "baptism," even using the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but who in the very act deny the purpose and meaning of baptism, claiming that these being "baptized" by them are already saved. The teaching runs about like this:
Man
"Baptism doth also now save us not.
"He that believeth and is not baptized shall be saved.
"Repent and be baptized because you are already saved.
"We are baptized after we are IN Christ.
Holy Spirit
"Baptism doth also now save us." (1 Peter 3:21)
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16)
"Repent and be baptized . . . for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38)
"Baptized INTO Jesus Christ." (Gal. 3:26, 27)
A Study Of Acts 2:38
We call your attention to plain statements front different versions of the Bible, which show conclusively that Acts 2:38 teaches the absolute necessity of baptism for, unto, or in order to, the remission of sins. Some maintain that the Greek "eis," translated "for" in the King James Version, means "because of" remission of sins: (we give only the pertinent phrase or clause, but we suggest the readers should read the whole passage in every Bible which you have available):
- King James — "Repent and be baptized — for the remission of sins."
- American Standard — "Repent ye, and be baptized...unto the remission of your sins."
- Emphasized — "Repent ye, and be immersed...into the remission of your sins."
- Modern Speech — "Repent, replied Peter, and be baptized...with a view to the remission of your sins."
- Modern English — "Change your minds and be baptized...for a release of your sins."
- Anderson — "Repent and be immersed...in order to the remission of your sins."
- Living Oracles — "Reform, and be each of you immersed in the name of Jesus Christ in order to the remission of sins."
- German Translation — "Repent and be baptized (for unto) in order to the forgiveness of sins."
- Indian Translation — "Stone said unto them, Turn back and be baptized in order to the forgiveness of sins."
- French Translation — "Repent, and be ye all baptized in order to obtain the remission of your sins."
- Italian Translation — "Repent and be ye all baptized into the remission of your sins."
- First German Bible — "Repent and let every one of you be baptized for (in order to, unto) the forgiveness of sins."
- American Bible Union Translation (1858) — "Reform and be immersed every one of you...for the remission of sins."
- Modern Readers Bible (Moulton) — "Repent and be baptized unto the remission of your sins."
- Emphatic Diaglott — "Reform and be immersed...for the forgiveness of sins."
- Moffatt's Translation — "Repent, said Peter, 'Let each of you be baptized for the remission of sins'."
- Goodspeed's Translation — "You must repent, and every one of you be baptized in order to have your sins forgiven."
- Weymouth's Modern Speech (Robertson Translation) — "Repent, replied Peter, and be baptized every one of you...for the remission of your sins."
- Syriac Version — "Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins."
- Rotherham's Translation — "Repent ye, and let each of you be immersed unto the remission of your sins."
- Douay Version (Catholic Bible) — "Do penance, and be baptized...for the remission of your sins."
- Wycliffe's Translation (Translated in 1308, and is the oldest complete English translation) — "And Petre seide to heem, do you penaunce, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jhesu Crist, (into) remission of your synnes."
(The foregoing material was printed in The Way of Life, February, 1946.)
In view of the foregoing, would you contend that one is baptized because he is already saved? Would you, in spite of this impressive array of scholarship, still believe the false theory propagated over the radio and from some pulpits by uninformed men, that one is saved simply by trusting or believing in Christ? And then, after he is saved, and because he is saved, may be baptized? Consider the following:
Baptism Is:
To have a good conscience toward God. (1 Peter 3:21)
To receive the remission of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
To wash away our sins (Acts 22:16), by putting us INTO Christ where we are made clean by the blood of Jesus. (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3)
To be buried with Christ, and raised to walk a new life. (Rom. 6:3, 4)
To be united with Christ, and planted with him. (Rom. 6:5)
To scripturally rejoice. (Acts 8:35-39; 16:80-34)
To obey the form of doctrine, thus being made free from sin. (Rom. 6:17)
To be children of God by faith...thus putting on Christ. (Gal. 3:27)
To be saved. (Mark 16:16)
To get into the One body. (1 Cor. 12:13)
Why not pick up your Bible and examine these passages NOW? What will your answer be to God in the final judgment if you refuse to make such an examination? Remember, Jesus said the truth would make you free.