DANA’S DIRECTION

The baptism commanded by Jesus was to be administered by man in water for remission of sins. In Acts eight after the evangelist, Philip had preached unto the Ethiopian eunuch about Jesus, the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:37). Paul informs us that the sinner is baptized into Christ Jesus and his death (Romans 6:3). It was in his death that Jesus shed His blood, thus when the sinner is baptized into the death of Christ he contacts the blood which washes away sin (Hebrews 9:22; Revelations 1:5). In passages where baptism and salvation are used in the same context baptism always precedes salvation. 1. Mark 16:16 “. . . and is baptized shall be saved.” 2. Acts 2:38 “. . . baptized unto remission of sins.” 3. Acts 22:16 “. . . be baptized washing away thy sins.” 4. I Peter 3:21 “. . . baptism doth also now save us.” 5. Romans 6:4 “. . .buried therefore with him through baptism into death: . . . so we might walk in newness of life.” Water is the element in which the penitent believer is baptized, but baptism is the act which brings the sinner into contact with the cleansing blood of a resurrected Savior. The baptism Jesus commands is: 1. In water . . .Acts 8:38. 2. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . . .Matthew 28:19. 3. Into Christ. . . Galatians 3:26-27. 4. Into the death of Christ. . . Romans 6:4. 5. For remission of sins. . . Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21. 6. Those baptized receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. . . Acts 2:38b. If you have not been baptized according to the teachings of God’s word, it is our prayer that you will be obedient to God’s instructions which will enable you to be cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Copied and edited for space