BiblicalInsights.net

Baptism is an immersion in water for the remission of sins.  This statement is supported Scripturally by Acts 8:35-40 and Acts 2:38.  “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believes with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”  “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  Baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16).  From these passages, we learn that baptism is an immersion in water, for the remissions, and administered to a repentant believer.
Consider the following blessings of baptism.
First, baptism is necessary to obtain the forgiveness of sins.  Forgiveness (remission) is accomplished through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed on the cross at His death.  Jesus predicted that “remission of sins” would be preached in His name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-49).  The first time this occurred was on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem by Peter and the apostles (Acts 2).  The horror of horrors is to die unforgiven.  “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).  To die unforgiven, is to die without mercy.
Second, baptism into Christ brings a new name.  After the Gentiles were granted repentance unto life, a new name was called upon the disciples of Jesus.  That new name was Christian (Acts 11:26).  This was in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 62:2.  The disciples of Jesus Christ were called Christians first at Antioch.  In this name, we glorify God by wearing the name of the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
Third, there is the blessing of being added by the Lord to His church.  Baptism is the only means of entrance into the kingdom of God.  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot se the kingdom of God.” “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3,5).  The kingdom of God is the church of Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:16-18).  Jesus built the church and bought it with His own blood (Acts 20:28).  He is the only foundation of the church (I Cor. 3:11).  On the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached the gospel to the multitudes, they asked, “men and brethren what shall we do? (Acts 2:37).  Peter told them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Then, they that gladly received his word were baptized.  There were about 3,000 souls who obeyed the gospel.  Then, we are told that Jesus added them to the church (Acts 2:47).  This is how you become a member of the Lord’s church.
Fourth, there is the blessing of having your name written in the Lamb’s book of life.  Those who belong to God are known to Him by their name.  “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:23).  See also Phil. 4:3 and Rev. 21:27.  The book of life is the record of those who have obtained the promise of everlasting life.
Fifth, there is the blessing of being an heir of God and joint-heir of Christ.  “The Spirit itself bearers witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:16-17).  God owns everything in heaven and in earth.  We become heirs of all that God possesses.  All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3).  In Christ, we are truly rich toward God.
Sixth,  there is the blessing of new life in Christ.  The old man was dead in trespasses and sin.  But, the new man is alive in Christ.  Baptism results in newness of life.  “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).  “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Cor. 5:17).
Seventh, there is the blessing of oneness with Christ.  Fellowship with God and Christ is the result of being baptized into Christ.  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).  Spiritual union with Christ means that we are never alone.  It means that we have the privilege of prayer and can call God our Father.  It means that we are bound to God by love.  God and Christ love us and we love them and this bond makes us inseparable (Rom. 8:35-39).
Eighth, we are loved by God.  To be loved by God as a child of God is a very special spiritual blessing.  “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).  God’s love for His people means that God will provide for them and protect them.  God will never fail us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
Ninth, there is the blessing of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Peter promised the “gift of the Holy Spirit” to those that repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38).  The non-miraculous, spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is affirmed in Acts 5:32, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”  The Holy Spirit helps us produce the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and He strengthens us in the inner man (Eph. 3:16).  He also intercedes in our behalf when we pray (Rom. 8:26).  These spiritual blessings are part of the means of sustaining the Christian life on a day to day basis.
When individuals are taught falsely that baptism is not essential to salvation and they listen to this false instruction, they disobey God and miss the blessings of baptism.  This can only result in spiritual poverty and peril to one’s soul.