Water Baptism 2

The work of God in the salvation of a man is indispensable. The works of men are not the cause of salvation. Their works are the result of salvation. Every believer should be baptized by immersion in water if that is at all possible. It is something that believers should have in common. Baptism is a work for those who do the baptizing and for those who take steps to be baptized. There are two commands regarding Baptism, to baptize and to be baptized.

Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

There are multitudes of other Biblical things believers can and should do in obedience to the Lord that are personal and slightly different and in different times and places for each of us. I cannot obey God in your place and you cannot obey Him in mine.

Acts 1:5: For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Being baptized with the Holy Ghost saves, not water. Repentance, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost should precede baptism. Some who John the Baptist baptized did not yet have the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:41: Then they that gladly received his (Peter*s) word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Receiving Peter*s word and believing Philip*s preaching preceded water baptism.

Acts 8:36: And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 16:27: And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 18:8: And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Acts 19:3: And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John*s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Simon the sorcerer was baptized with water and then gave evidence that he didn*t receive the Holy Ghost. Others were baptized with water and saved later. Acts 8:9-24.

You may contact Ron with questions, comments or prayer requests via email at ronsbibletopics@yahoo.com.

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