Discipleship 1:8
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 NLT
I can see the picture in my head. I’m 7-8 years old, wearing a blue dress, hair put up in a messy bun. My cheeks are so puffed out with air that I look like a squirrel collecting nuts for the winter. I’m holding my nose, prepared to be dunked by my pastor in a pool.
And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21 NLT
I loved Jesus and that day I was making a public confession and open display of the change in my heart and my intent to follow Him. My conscience before God was clean. I believed and I had chosen.
I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:21 NLT
God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. Acts 17:30 NLT
I had repented of my sins and turned to Jesus so baptism was naturally the next step. See, water baptism is not necessary for salvation but is an outward expression of salvation. Water baptism is a command, but keeping this command does not produce justification.
Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 NLT
Notice that Jesus did not say that those who aren’t baptized will be damned. Baptism isn’t essential for salvation but the first part of this verse does stress the importance of it.
On a side note, all of these scriptures prove that it is redundant to sprinkle/baptize infants. It might seem like a nice church/family tradition, but that’s all it is: tradition. Infants do not repent nor act in faith. Since baptism is an act that expresses one’s faith, the act means nothing where faith is not present. What about those who believe a baby’s eternal salvation depends upon this practice?
At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, … Romans 7:9 NLT
The sin nature does exist, but God is not imputing sin unto people until they knowingly violate His law. Babies don’t know; accordingly, infants need not be “baptized” to be saved and to be received into heaven.
Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” James 2:18-19 NLT
Actually, no matter the age of the person, if there is not faith, baptism means nothing. Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone. Where there is faith, it expresses and exposes itself. Each individual, when they have come of age, must make the choice for or against Christ themselves and act on it. So if you have repented of your sins and turned to Jesus …
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16 NKJV
If you believe, then like I had so very long ago, I hope you will join me and testify and be baptized in water.
For further reading:
“He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:43-48 NLT
For your pleasure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT4phfTXR4&list=RDmaT4phfTXR4&start_radio=1
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