1. A person should be baptized to have their sins washed away. In Mark 16:16 and Galatians 3:26-27, we are told that baptism is the only way to have our sins washed completely away. Baptism is the only way for us to get to Heaven. Do we still have to live faithfully, yes, but baptism gets us started in our Christian walk.
2. A person should be baptized by complete immersion in the watery grave. In Romans 6:4, the church at Rome is told that they "were to be 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." What does this mean? What happens to a person when they die? They are buried in a cemetery. When we become dead to our sins, we are buried in the "watery grave." Our sins are washed away and we put off the "old man" and instead put on the "new man" (Ephesians 4:22-23). Again, we still must remain faithful, but our old sins are forgiven, and we now can gain forgiveness directly from God in prayer for future sins (Mark 11:25).
3. A person should be baptized only after following the previous four steps of the plan of salvation. As a refresher they are: Hear (Romans 10:17), Believe (John 3:16/Romans 10:10), Repent (Luke 13:3/II Peter 3:9), and Confess (Matthew 10:32/Romans 10:8-10). Once an individual has followed these four steps, they are now ready to be baptized. One point that I want to drive home in this article is that baptism does not have to be performed as part of a church service. An individual can come to the building, a river, lake, etc, and be baptized. I believe that many people (including when I was finally baptized in high school), put off baptism because they are afraid of being immersed for the remission of their sins in front of everyone. I tell the saints at Chestnut Mound that if you are ready to be baptized and do not want to come and do it in front of everyone, then wait until everyone leaves and I will baptize you in an empty or close to empty building. Some people have the feeling to be baptized arise in the middle of the night. That's perfectly fine to do that. We might be a bit groggy, but I or any other gospel preacher will gladly accommodate you. Don't let the time of day, your fear of crowds, or any other factor be the reason you lose your soul.
Being baptized for the remission of your sins is the greatest decision that you will ever make. Baptism gives you hope of eternal life with God and Jesus in Heaven. When Jesus came down to this earth and put on a human body and was crucified for the remission of our sins, he gave us the greatest gift of all. We redeem that gift when we are baptized. Are you thinking about being baptized? We would be honored to study with you at the Chestnut Mound church of Christ!!
In Him,
Carver Moore
We would be honored for you to join us for worship at the Chestnut Mound church of Christ.
Our service times are as follows:
Sunday Morning Bible study: 10 am
Sunday morning worship: 11 am
Sunday evening worship: 5 pm
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