Musick-al note # 111
The Gospel is not complete without baptism because baptism is the action by which a person is saved (1 Peter 3:21). It is the action by which one is added to His body, which is His church (1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:22- 23). It is the action which puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:27) and makes one a child of God. Baptism must be obeyed from the heart (Romans 6:17-18) and when done by faith, it makes one a servant of God. However, baptism follows other necessary things. A person must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24). That faith must be followed by obedience in repenting of sins, (Luke 3:1-5, Acts 17:30, Acts 2:2:38, Acts 8:37). One’s faith must obey Christ in confessing that He is the Christ before men, (Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 10:9-10). Then one in faith can obey Christ by being baptized (buried) for remission of sins, (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:1-5, Galatians 3:27, l Corinthians 12:13). Without faith that obeys the Lord in repenting, confessing Christ, and being baptized, one cannot be saved for the Lord declared these things to be necessary.
Notice: that baptism is a burial of one’s death to sin, (Romans 6:2-4), It is in the water of baptism that one’s sins are cleansed in the blood of Christ, (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 10:19-23, Romans 6:17-18) and that person is to walk in “newness of life” for having been buried with Christ, we are raised with Him, being forgiven our iniquities. This “newness of life” means to live without sin in following Christ’s teachings for we are a member of Christ’s church for He adds the saved to His church (Acts 2:41, 47). The church (those who are obedient to Him) meet for worship, even if it means leaving friends and family. Sometimes this means leaving a religious group, for many groups teach doctrines of men which are not found in the New Testament. As you can see, great changes will be expected of those who obey God’s Word and their commitment to Jesus Christ will have to be complete to do so. Jesus’ words (the New Testament) must become their only rule of authority in religious matters. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and the only way to the Father, (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). There is salvation in no other one. There is no other way for men to reach heaven, and – we need to know this – the world will hate those who follow Christ Jesus (John 15:18-20). Yet heaven will overshadow all the trials that may come their way (Romans 8:17-18).
We urge you to not follow the teachings of man for only God’s Word can give you light to follow Christ, (Psalms 119:105, John 17:17).
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 