Baptism is Necessary

All too frequently in the past several years I have spoken to people
confessing to me that they have been born again and saved by asking
Jesus into their heart and feel that they have fulfilled the requirements to be
a Christian because of the teachings of the modern day church; a view
which is dangerous and opposes the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved…

The only one instance in the Bible where water baptism wasn’t included in
accepting Christ is the thief on the cross next to Jesus before his death. He
was obviously unable to perform this sacrament and the Father is a
merciful God whose grace is without measure. The thief did not go straight
to heaven, but died with Jesus and went down into Abrahams’ bosom
where our Lord preached to the saints before they were allowed to ascend
into heaven and thus completing the old covenant. So in this manner he
was literally baptized as he died with Christ, which is what baptism is
symbolic of along with the cleansing of unrighteousness which was John’s
baptism.

Romans 6: 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into

Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4. Therefore we are buried
with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life.

Anyone fit and able must repent and be baptized as commanded by Jesus
in order to complete the being born again process. To repent is to change
direction or your ways toward the way of God.

1 Peter 3: 21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now
save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer
of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
The main scriptural argument of false teachers against the necessity of
water baptism is found in 1 Corinthians 1:12.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of
Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13. Is Christ divided? was
Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14. I
thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15.
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

It is obvious The apostle only wanted to make it clear that he did

not want to take the place of Christ and have people glorifying
that they were baptized into Paul. Jesus is the only name under
heaven in which one can be saved and baptized.

There are also many who will say that we are not saved by works. It is true
that we cannot be saved by works of the law, but works of faith after
believing are evidence of a person’s heart toward God. Those unwilling to
do as Jesus commanded are not saved.

James 2:17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,

being alone.
18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have
works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will
shew thee my faith by my works.

It must also be noted that there are those who make an outward show of
works but inwardly they do not have true faith in the Lord Jesus. Only God
knows for certain the heart of man.

I believe the teachings of baptism to be unnecessary are straight from the

devil to keep people from receiving the Holy Spirit and having everlasting
life in heaven. Many times a well meaning pastor is only parroting doctrine
he has been taught by the commentaries of man and is being deceived.
There are those who are supposed great men of God who are wolves in
sheep’s clothing, belonging to secret societies who are being directed by
their elders to impart false doctrine in a subtle manner so as not to alert the
imprudent believer who does not study the bible as a Berean would. To
oppose the false teachings of your pastor and heed the teachings of Jesus
is a bold, yet necessary step in confirming ones faith in these last days of
famine for hearing of the Word of God, which in most cases leads to
loneliness and isolation. Though we may suffer in these times our reward in
heaven will be great. Trust in the Lord and he will see you through to the
end of this age.

Acts 2:38...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of

Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. 41 And they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls.

May God bless you always,

Kirk Schrank