Conversion
#6 - Baptism (2)

As we continue our look at the element of baptism in the process of conversion, please read the eighth chapter of Acts, verses 36-39. We have observed from the Bible that faith is the point at which a person's intellect is changed; repentance is the point at which a person's will or resolve is changed; and confession is the point at which a person's allegiance is changed. In the last article, we began to examine the relationship of water baptism to the conversion process. Baptism is the point at which a person's relationship with God is changed. This man of Ethiopia (Acts 8) had a change produced in his life. That is, he was converted to Jesus Christ. Some think that baptism is only important for an outward testimony of the salvation you have already received. Consider the fact that the text records the rejoicing of this man after his baptism. (v.39) It is absurd to think that the Bible records for us his rejoicing after baptism, but not his rejoicing after salvation. The truth is that his joy after baptism and his joy from being saved were one and the same. The point of baptism marked the change of the man's relationship with God.

Buried and Raised

Many Bible texts help us to understand the work of God through baptism in the process of conversion. "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life". (Rom.6:4) This passage declares with simplicity the purpose of baptism. It is the point where the sinner meets the death of Christ and reaps the benefits of it. It is the moment when the old man of sin is buried and the new man of righteousness emerges from the water to walk in a new life. (Compare Col.2:11-13; 3:9-10)

Sins Are Removed

Baptism is the point at which a person's relationship with God is changed because that's the point at which his sins are removed. Sin separates a person from God. (Isa.59:1-2) Just because a person believes the truth of Jesus (faith) does not mean his sins have been forgiven. The demons believed in Jesus but were still demons. (Matt.8:29) Further, just because a person decides to be converted (repentance) does not mean God has forgiven his sins. And just because a person says he believes that Jesus is the Son of God (confession) does not mean his relationship with God has changed either.

Peter was speaking to those who had been convicted of the truths concerning Jesus. They be-believed now that Jesus was the Messiah of Old Testament prophecies. "Now...they...said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:37-38) Peter did not tell them that their newfound faith in Jesus was enough to be converted. He did not tell them that they needed only to repent to complete the conversion process. He told them that in order to receive the "remission of sins", they still needed to "be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ".

Consider Ananias also. This was the servant of Christ sent to counsel Saul in what he needed to do spiritually. In utter remorse over realizing he should be a Christian, Saul was told to ".be baptized, and wash away (his) sins..." (Acts 22:16)