Preachers have been arguing about baptism for a very long time now, and it still separates close friends from different denominations today. I’m just asking you to believe what is written. Most any Bible out there that is sold in the Christian book store says that baptism does now save us in 1 Peter 3:21 (below).
1 Peter 3:21
21 There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, NKJV.
The problem comes in when we lean on our own understanding, rather than simply accepting what is written. If your Bible says that baptism saves us then why would you agree with a different message? Allow me show you why.
John 12:42-43
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. NKJV
Christians, who can see plainly what their own Bible says, do not admit it before men because it is not inline with what their denomination teaches. Therefore, they eventually end up just as blind as their teachers because they too willing speak against the scriptures (1 Timothy 6:20-21, Ephesians 4:17-19).
We who are called to teach, do not “go beyond what is written,” or add to the Word of God (1 Corinthians 4:6-7, Proverbs 30:5-6). The King James says, don’t even “think beyond what is written.” Therefore, if you asked me if baptism saves us, I’m going to say yes, because that is exactly what 1 Peter 3:21 says!
On the other hand, the people who are not called by God to preach, will say what they want to say in order to build their crowds (2 Timothy 4:3-4, Acts 20:29-31). They do not concern themselves with what God requires of His servants (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6, Galatians 1:10), but their day is coming. The very Word of God that they reject will in turn judge them on the last day according to the Words of Jesus Christ written in John 12:48.
Therefore, test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and not just the verses, but what is said in-between reading the verses, since most error is in their interpretations, and not the reading of the scriptures.
Know for sure that the person that the Lord sends to you will speak in line with the Lord’s Words (John 3:34, Jeremiah 23:22). People who do not speak in line with what is written are not “sent” by God to speak to you, but are simply called by man to fill the building with people. They may mean well, sound sincere, but they are not “sent by God.”
Get this. Everything we would ever need for this life has “already been given to us” through our knowledge of God’s which is contained in His Word (2 Peter 1:3). So there is absolutely no reason to go beyond what is written in your Bible. Don’t look for anything that isn’t already in there, because it will only fill your head with junk that is against God’s Word, and place you further away from having what God has given you.
False teachers have to pull you away from the Word of God in order to have you rely on them (Acts 20:29-31), and there is a lot of that going on these days. Check those verses in your Bible. We are supposed to participate in the promises written in our Bibles in order to receive what God has already given us (2 Peter 1:4), but how can that be done when we accept things that are against God’s Word? Check the verses to see for yourself that I speak according to the truth.
Here is what you need to know.
The people who are not baptized will not accept God’s will for their life, point, blank, period (Luke 7 29-30). Read it for yourself.
Luke 7:29-30
29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. NKJV
If someone doesn’t accept God’s will for their life, can they possibly make it into the Kingdom of Heaven? Many who call Jesus Lord will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because they did not do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). That means that there are many saved people who will not make it.
Matthew 7:21-22
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. NKJV
Therefore, baptism does save us. It may be indirectly, but it is required. So, get Baptized! I’m Alan Ballou; a servant. If I can answer a question for you in accordance with what is actually written in the Word of God, please contact me, or just leave a commit below.
One more thing to keep in mind here. Jesus commanded us to love one another (John 13:34-34), and love comes from a pure heart, sincere faith, and a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:4-7).
1 Timothy 1:3-7
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. NKJV
In our baptism, we made the pledge (vow, promise) to keep a good (clear) conscience before God (1 Peter 3:21, above). As Christians, we need to know that. Many of Jesus’ disciples followed Him up to a point, but then refused to accept what He said (John 6:60-69).
Check those verses because the same is true today. I can’t help but think that if most knew about baptism before they were baptized, then they would strive to keep their vows. As it is written, “strive to enter through the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24-28). Why? Many will seek to enter but not be able. Check the verses!
Anyone who plans on obeying Jesus needs to know about keeping a good conscience toward God, since it is a part of the process of remaining in love. Very few today know that we have got to fight in order to remain in the faith (1 Timothy 1:18).
1 Timothy 1:18-20
18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. NKJV
Notice that waging the good warfare, or fighting the good fight (as some Bibles put it) is having (keeping) faith and a good conscience (verse 19 above).
The Christian life is not something to be taken lightly. If you are not fighting to remain in the faith, chances are you are on the very edge with one foot in the world, and with the teaching that is being spread around today, you probably think it’s ok with God. However, we have to remain in the faith or risk falling away to destruction (Hebrews 10:36-39, Colossians 1:21-23). Check the verse.
Alan Ballou; a servant. Author of “How To Stop Sinning.”
