Faith & Reason Nexus

Baptism Will:

1. Save
   • Baptism is essential for salvation, as it is commanded by Jesus and is a necessary step in the process of being saved.
   • Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
   • 1 Peter 3:21: “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
2. Remove Sin
   • Baptism is the act that removes the guilt of sin, marking the beginning of a new life in Christ.
   • Acts 2:38: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
   • Acts 22:16: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
3. Put on Christ
   • Through baptism, individuals are clothed in Christ, becoming united with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection.
   • Galatians 3:26-27: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
4. Apply the Blood
   • Baptism connects believers to the death and resurrection of Jesus, where His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins.
   • Romans 6:3-4: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 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.”
5. Give Hope
   • Baptism brings a living hope, as it marks the beginning of the Christian walk, filled with promise and eternal life.
   • Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
   • Hebrews 5:8-9: “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

Baptism Will Not:

1. Save Alone
   • Baptism is not a magic act that saves by itself; it must be accompanied by faith, repentance, and obedience to God’s will.
   • Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
   • James 2:24: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”
2. Remove Later Sin
   • Baptism cleanses us from past sin, but it does not automatically remove sin committed after baptism. Ongoing repentance and confession are required for forgiveness.
   • 2 Peter 2:20: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.”
   • Acts 8:18-22: “When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money… Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.”
3. Make Perfect
   • Baptism does not make a person perfect. It marks the beginning of a new life, but Christians must continue to grow, strive, and battle against sin.
   • 1 John 1:7-10: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
   • 1 Corinthians 9:27: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
4. Let You Join the Church
   • Baptism is necessary for church membership; it is the means by which one is added to the body of Christ, the Church.
   • Acts 2:41-47: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them… And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
5. Assure Heaven
   • Baptism, while essential for salvation, does not guarantee a place in heaven without continuing in faith and obedience.
   • 1 Peter 1:9: “Receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
   • Revelation 2:10: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”