G907  STRONGS

βαπτίζω

baptizō

bap-tid'-zo

From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: - baptist, baptize, wash.                        

                                 BAPTIZM  PRESENTED BY STEVEN SCHILLER

                                         Baptizm now does save us. 1Peter 3:21

INTRODUCTION

 Some object to the necessity of baptizm. Baptizm point  the point of salvation. It is a response of a good conscience toward GOD.

People often say, Baptizm is a work, and we are not saved by works. The purpose is distorted.

Support for this objection is made by appealing to passages like Ep 2:8-9

Certainly baptizm is a thing done, and as such is a "work"...

But is it a work of merit, by which one earns salvation?

Or is it a work of faith, by which one receives salvation?

In considering the work involved in baptism, who is truly the one "at work"?

Is it the man or woman who submits to being immersed?

Or is it God who forgives and regenerates through the blood of Jesus and working of the Holy Spirit?

When one carefully considers what the Bible teaches, there is no contradiction between the idea that we are saved by faith and not works, and at the same time saved by baptism.

In this study I hope to make that clear. Let me begin by pointing out that...

BAPTIZM IS A WORK OF FAITH, NOT WORK OF MERIT

THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF "WORKS"...

There are works of "merit"

These are works done to "earn" something

Those who have done such works believe they "deserve" something; e.g., those who believe they will be saved:

Because they kept the Ten Commandments

Because they went to church, did good deeds, etc.

It is these kinds of works Paul has under consideration in Ro 3:27-28; Ep 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5a

There is no way we can "earn" or merit" salvation!

All the good we might do cannot outweigh even one sin! - Jm 2:10

There are also works of "faith"

These are things done to "receive" something

Those who have done such works believe they "deserve" nothing!

They understand their obedience did not earn or merit their salvation

They understand their salvation rests upon God's mercy and grace, not because God owes it to them!

Such works can rightly be called "works of God"

Of which faith itself is called by Jesus - Jn 6:28-29

Other works of faith commanded by God include repentance and confession - Ac 17:30; Ro 10:9-10

Though such works as faith, repentance and confession are commanded...

They are not meritorious works; we do not earn salvation through them

They are works God has ordained we do to receive His salvation

-- When all is said and done, salvation is still by God's grace and mercy!

What is said of faith, repentance, and confession may also be said of baptizm...

BAPTIZM IS A WORK OF FAITH, NOT MERIT...

Baptizm requires faith

The necessity of faith was emphasized by Jesus - Mk 16:16

Philip made it a prerequisite to baptizm - Ac 8:36-37

Baptizm is an act of faith by which one receives (not earn)...

The forgiveness of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38

Union with Christ in His death, raised with Him to new life - Ro 6:3-4; Ga 3:27

That baptizm is not a work of merit is emphasized in Tit 3:4-5

While God saves us "through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (an allusion to baptizm)...

He does not save us by "works of righteousness", i.e., by works of merit

-- Thus baptizm is clearly is not some work of righteousness done to earn or merit salvation!

[Nowhere does the Bible suggest that baptism is a work of merit, by which God owes us salvation upon the basis of our baptism. Like faith, repentance, and confession, baptizm is simply an act of faith by which we receive salvation.

And why is this so? Because...]

BAPTIZM INVOLVES THE WORKING OF GOD

GOD IS AT WORK IN BAPTIZM...

We are buried and raised with Christ "through faith IN THE WORKING OF GOD" - Col 2:12

It is God who does the work, not man! - Col 2:13

Man is dead in his sins

But God makes him alive, forgiving him of sins

-- Thus it is God who saves us, not we ourselves, which He does through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Tit 3:5

THINK OF BAPTIZM AS A "SPIRITUAL OPERATION"...

An operation in which the "Great Physician" does His work

When one needs physical surgery, it requires faith in the skills of a physician to submit to the operating table

When the surgery is over, have I "earned" or "merited" my healing? No!

It required both faith in the doctor and a willingness to submit to him!

So my faith in God and in the death of His Son for my sins prompted me to submit to the "spiritual operation" of baptizm, in which God did His wonderful work of cleansing by the blood of Jesus and regeneration by the Holy Spirit!

CONCLUSION

When we understand that baptizm...

Is a work of faith, not a work of merit

Is a working of God at which time we receive salvation, not earn salvation

-- We will not reject the necessity of baptism under the mistaken idea that it is some work by which we try to earn salvation

Sadly, many people reject baptism because they see it as something you DO...

In reality, baptizm is the most PASSIVE act of faith required to receive Christ and the blessings He provides

I.e., "believe", "repent", "confess Christ", are all things we DO

On the other hand, baptizm is something DONE TO US

Consider this...

"Faith," "repentance," and "confession" are all ACTIVE acts of faith on our part

"Baptizm" is but a PASSIVE act of faith in which we submit to the working of God in our lives (cf. Col 2:12)

-- To object to baptizm because it requires man to "do" something would require one to object to "faith," "repentance," and "confession," for they also require man to "do" something!

Even Martin Luther, who coined the phrase "salvation by faith only", understood that salvation by grace through faith did not preclude the necessity of baptizm:

In answer to the question, "What gifts or benefits does Baptizm bestow?", Luther replied in his Small Catechism, "It effects forgiveness of sins."

He also wrote concerning the sinner: "Through Baptizm he is bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins."

Again, he wrote: "To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptizm is to save."

Responding to those who call this a kind of works-salvation, he said "Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptizm, however, is not our work but God's." -- (as quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptizm And The Remission of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 32-34)

So to those who say, "Baptizm is a work, and we are not saved by works", I would reply:

"Baptizm is a work of God, and we are saved by faith in the working of God!"

Have you submitted to the working of God in baptizm? If you believe that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, have repented of your sins and are willing to confess your faith in Him as the Son of God, you can receive the working of God in your life today!

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16

HEAR THE GOSPEL

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL

REPENT OF ALL SINS

CONFESS JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD

BE BAPTIZED   (IMMERSED IN WATER)

GREEK DEFINITION OF BAPTIZM  =  BAPTIZO

LIVE FAITHFULLY