ACCEPTABLE BAPTISM

Can a lost sinner be baptized and saved from past sins without understanding that he is being baptized for the remission of sins? This idea is currently circulating within some churches of Christ. Do the inspired scriptures support such an idea? Let us, "Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good," 1 Thess.5:21.

First, let's notice the example of Acts 2. Peter preached about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Some of the hearers believed and asked what to do to be forgiven of past sins. Peter's answer was, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38. Remember, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:4, Who was guiding Peter in all the truth, Jn.16:13. At that moment the Holy Spirit was leading Peter to tell lost sinners exactly what they needed to know and do to be saved. To emphasize the importance of both repentance and baptism Peter told his audience that both were to be done by the authority of Jesus Christ and in order to receive the forgiveness of sin. These words "in the name of Jesus Christ" and "for the remission of sins" added power to the preaching of the gospel. Upon hearing and understanding the exact words of Peter the audience was much more inclined to obey. If Peter had simply said, "Repent and be baptized," the likelihood is far less than 3,000 would have responded. But the Holy Spirit guided Peter to inform lost sinners why they should repent and be baptized, because the Lord requires it, and what blessing, the remission of sin, they would receive.

The forgiveness of sin is a major part of the "goods news" of the gospel. Can you imagine God wanting to withhold from a lost sinner information about how to be forgiven of his sins and when his sins are actually forgiven? Ananias instructed Saul, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away they sins," Acts 22:16. The Holy Spirit guided Ananias, just as He did Peter, to tell the lost sinner why he needed to be baptized. It was only after his baptism that the eunuch "went on his way rejoicing," Acts 8:39. Evidently, Philip taught the eunuch that he needed to be baptized for the remission of his sins. Upon his obedience to the gospel and knowing his sins had been washed away in the blood of the Lamb, the eunuch had reason for great rejoicing.

Suppose a lost sinner is being taught that Jesus is his Savior. Has that sinner been properly taught if he is not told that Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay the penalty for his sins? Absolutely not! The death of Christ for man's sins is the most convincing proof of God's love for lost sinners. It is the most heart-touching fact of the gospel. It tells the lost sinner how God can "be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus," Rom.3:26. It moves the lost sinner to accept Jesus as his Savior.