Musick-al note # 92
We need to be careful of our words when we speak about baptism lest we lead anyone to disobey God’s Word. Those statements can range from subtle inference and humor to outright rejection of Scriptural teaching. It matters little how it comes but greatly concerns those who desire to be pleasing to God in all things. Every word spoken that causes an individual to reject the teaching of Jesus, whether by humor, inference, inflection, denouncement, subtlety, or false instruction, will require an answer before God in the Day of Judgement. The New Testament teaches that believers in Christ are to be baptized (Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16). On the Day of Pentecost following Jesus resurrection, Peter boldly told the multitude to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Paul was told to ‘rise and be baptized and wash away your sins’ (Acts 22:16). Paul taught its necessity for one becomes a child of God when baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). These ‘babies’ are beginning the Christian life. Baptism is the ‘line of separation’ from living in the world of sin to living in righteousness. Everyone who believes the teaching of Christ, repents of all sin, confesses Christ as Lord and is baptized into Christ undergoes a great change in life. They may look the same outwardly but the inward person is no longer the slave of sin but now freely serves in righteousness (Romans 6:16-22). All Christians who hear of another baptism greatly rejoice for it marks the beginning of a ‘new life’ in Christ. It is no wonder that Christians look forward to and rejoice when a missionary reports many baptisms. To denigrate those reports in any way causes harm to the work of Christ by discouraging missionary efforts to save the lost through teaching the Gospel. Let us rejoice in every report of baptisms that brings new lives into Christ through their obedience.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 