I am often queried about the subject of water baptism and what the scriptures have to say concerning it. Over the centuries, the battle lines have been drawn and sides have been taken in defense or rejection of the necessity of water baptism as it relates to salvation. As you drive about town, you may see the signs of various religious groups that claim to use "Just the Bible." A very noble position, indeed. And, if it is so, they are to be commended. If not, then it is simply a ploy to either dupe the members of their own number or to present themselves as something they are not. I am not making a judgment on whether a particular "group" is doing this or that, simply stating a fact revealed in the scripture that "even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). There are too many warnings such as, "I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29) and "believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out in the world" (1 John 4:1), for individuals to scoff at the possibility that their leaders are teaching error.

When considering mankind’s position before God, many make the mistake of believing they have the freedom of determining the conditions of reconciliation. They look for a "church" that meets their personal physical or emotional needs. Whether it is the laws of the land or the laws of God, it is the violated and not the violator that determines the conditions of reconciliation. We may live in a country ruled by democratic principles and enjoy certain freedoms, but God’s rule is not a democracy. It is a theocracy.

Since the people of God follow the divine standard, God’s righteousness, it is axiomatic that God’s conditions of pardon are accepted as the only means of obtaining reconciliation. So, what does God say concerning the conditions of reconciliation? The scriptures say, "But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreated by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). God committed unto the apostles the right to reveal the conditions of reconciliation. The words they spoke came from God, through the Son, delivered to the apostles by the Holy Spirit. When the apostles spoke, it was by divine influence. Therefore, when we read what they wrote, we are reading the conditions of reconciliation set forth from God, who said He, "reconciled us to himself through Christ" (Ibid.). Therefore, we can be "alive unto God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:11) because there is "no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). The question is how do we get "in Christ Jesus"? Again, the scriptures say, "For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27). When an individual is "baptized into Christ" they "put on Christ." Mankind has access to the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ. But God has placed baptism as the mechanism through which that access is acquired. Thus, Jesus told his apostles, "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). In the fulfillment of this charge the apostles, in making disciples, "commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 10:48), and "they then that received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). Two things are accomplished when an individual submits to the waters of baptism. Saul of Tarsus was told, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16). Peter says, concerning "water" it "doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21). In whom will you put your trust: A man that tells you to "say the sinners prayer," that cannot be found in the sacred scriptures; or in submission to the waters of baptism that is commanded by the Lord and his apostles for the purpose of obtaining the remission of sins and thereby a good conscience before God?