November 2002 Issue

Is Baptism For the Remission of Sins?

by Mark J. Ward

One of the biggest lies that Satan tells mankind today is that water baptism is for people who are already children of God. This false idea is taught in many of the churches that claim to be a part of "Christianity" today. Most every "Protestant denomination" teaches that people become Christians before and without water baptism. Do you accept the word of your preacher without question? What does the Bible really say about this important subject? Will we accept what God teaches in His Word? What if you are not really a Christian? Please read on.

In Mark 16:16, Jesus said, "He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved..." On the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, Peter taught by inspiration, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of your sins.." Jesus, Paul and Peter taught the essentiality of belief, repentance, confession and water baptism (See Matthew 10:32, 33; Luke 13:3; Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 3:26,27; I Peter 3:21). The Bible clearly teaches that water baptism is for the remission of sins. Those being baptized today for the wrong reasons are not truly Christians.

Most denominationalists teach that Paul was saved on the road to Damascus, before and without water baptism. Does the Bible support this teaching? The careful Bible student will notice that Acts 22:16 teaches that Paul still had his sins after believing on Christ and praying and fasting for three days! He was told by the preacher sent to him by God, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Does that sound like what a preacher would say to a person who was already saved from their sins? Of course not. Paul didn’t become a Christian until he was baptized.

God’s truth on the matter is that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God..." (Rom. 10:17). People who believe are then ready to repent, confess Christ and submit to water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Col. 2:12). That is how folks truly become Christians. How do we know? Because God says so in His Word. Don’t be deceived by the creed books of uninspired denominationalists that teach salvation by faith only! If you would like to study the Bible further, please contact us. Thanks for reading! - Mark J. Ward

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com