Description

Jesus instructed the Apostles to baptize those who sought salvation (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18-20). The Apostles and other preachers followed those instructions throughout the book of Acts. (See Acts 2:37-41, 8:12, 37-39; 10:47-48; 16:15, 25-34; 22:12-16). Baptism (a total immersion in water) symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to I Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 6:3-4. In being baptized, one comes in contact with the death of Jesus (Romans 6:3-4), which is where he shed his blood. It is that blood that can remove sin from one’s soul (Matthew 26:28, Ephesians 1:7). When the blood has been applied in baptism, sin is forgiven and God adds such as should be saved daily to his church (Acts 2:41, 47) Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. While the following writings are not scripture (and therefore not inspired), they do nevertheless, clearly demonstrate that baptism was and is for the purpose of salvation and the remission of sins and has been around from the very beginning of Christianity. This is not a new teaching. Anyone who does not understand that the first Christians clearly taught and believed baptism was always an essential part of God’s plan of salvation, has not done their homework. To state that baptism was never required for salvation is to be blindingly ignorant of the facts and testimonies of Christians from the earliest times. To the contrary of modern critics, who claim the doctrine of baptism for the forgiveness of sins is outside the realm of traditional Christianity, it can be clearly proven that it is not baptism for the remission of sins that is outside the doctrines of traditional Christianity, but their false teaching that baptism is not a required component of God’s salvation plan that lies outside historical Christian doctrine. Every baptism within the word of God was completed by immersion in the name of Jesus or Yeshua. In order to be scripturally sound we must do it God's way. Thy will be done O Lord God, must be our prayer and attitude in all things.
110-165 AD Martyr "As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, 'Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been born to enter into their mothers' wombs, is manifest to all... And for this we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training; in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe." (Justin Martyr, "First Apology," Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, pg. 183)
115-188 THEOPHILUS "On the fifth day the living creatures which proceed from the waters were