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Baptism is an immersion in water (mode) for the remission of sins (purpose) of a penitent believer (subject).  Baptism is commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission as a means of making disciples.  “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:28-20).  The only passage where Jesus connects baptism with salvation is Mark 16:16.  “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”  With these passages in mind, let’s consider the blessings of baptism.
Salvation
In Mark 16:16, Jesus taught that faith and baptism were essential to salvation.  The salvation gained is deliverance from sin and its consequences.  Unbelief condemns the human soul and, if not corrected by repentance, will bring one to damnation (eternal punishment).  Faith in Jesus involves complete trust in Him and His word.  But, notice, faith is not standing alone nor acting alone.  Faith must be accompanied by baptism.  Faith and baptism are aorist participles and the action described by them must be completed before the action of the main verb (shall be saved).  Most believe faith is essential to salvation, but deny that baptism plays any role in our salvation.  This belief is a contradiction of what Jesus taught.  We must not call Jesus Lord and, then, disobey His commands (Luke 6:46).
Discipleship
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus teaches that we make disciples by teaching individuals the Word of God and baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  You cannot be a disciple of Jesus without knowing His truth and being baptized.  Disciples of Jesus were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts 11:26).  You cannot be a New Testament Christian without baptism.  A disciple is a learner or a follower of a significant leader.  A disciple becomes like the leader by obedience to the teachings of the leader as well as following the example of the leader.  Christians follow Jesus Christ in both respects.  This is transformational and is the result of self-denial (Matt. 16:24) whereby we take up our cross and follow Him.
Forgiveness
The apostle Peter answers the question posed by the multitudes on the Day of Pentecost, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).  “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” (Acts 2:38).  Peter gave two commands:  repent and be baptized.  Both commands are necessary in order to obtain the remission of sins.  Forgiveness is a promise/blessing that is realized when we obey the commands given.  Forgiveness is the result of the redemptive work of Jesus when He died upon the cross and shed His blood for the atonement of sins (Eph. 1:7).  We come into contact with the blood of Jesus when we are baptized into His death (Rom. 6:3-4).  The unforgiven will die in their sins.  “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).
A New Name–Christian
Peter taught the household of Cornelius the gospel of Christ and baptized them into Christ (Acts 10:47-48).  Once the Gentiles were granted repentance unto life (Acts 11:18), a new name was called upon those who were disciples of Jesus.  That new name was the name Christian (Acts 11:26).  In this name, Christians glorify Jesus Christ who is the Messiah and the Son of God.  Both Jews and Gentiles who obeyed the gospel wore this name and so it unified them and gave them a new identity.  Baptism results in spiritual union with Christ and gives us a new identity.
Membership in the Kingdom of God
Baptism is the means of entrance into the spiritual kingdom of God or the church of Christ.  In John 3:3-5, John records these words of Jesus, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 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.”  “Born of water and of the Spirit” is one birth with two elements–water, and the Spirit.  The water is a reference to baptism and at the time of one’s baptism, the believer is regenerated (given new life) by the Spirit.  Before baptism, one is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.  At the time of baptism, a new life is begotten (I Pet. 1:21; Eph. 2:1; Rom. 6:4).  The church of Christ is the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:18-19).  Jesus built the church and bought it with His own blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28).  Paul declares, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Cor. 12:13).
Name Written in the Book of Life
Those who belong to God are known by name to Him!  “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.  And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (II Tim. 2:19).  “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).  “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).
Heir of God and Joint-Heir With Christ
When we are baptized into Christ, we put on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  This is how we become a child of God and stop being a child of the devil.  If we are a son, then, we are an heir of God.  “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ (Gal. 4:7).  “The Spirit itself beareth 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).  Baptism puts us into the spiritual sphere where all spiritual blessings are located (Eph. 1:3).  This makes every Christian spiritually rich.
Loved By God and Jesus
“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).  Those who obey the commandments of Jesus enter into fellowship with Him and with God.  The bond that holds this relationship together is love.  We show our love for God and Christ when we obey them (John 14:15).  In turn, they will love us with a divine love that brings their presence and power into our lives.  God will never fail nor forsake those whom He loves (Heb. 13:5).  Our love for God and His love for us makes us inseparable (Rom. 8:35-39).
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
In Acts 2:38, Peter gives two commands and two promises.  When we obey the commands to repent and baptized, then, we receive the promises of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The “gift of the Holy Spirit” is the spiritual, non-mirculous, indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians.  “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32).  “Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (I John 4:13).
If we eliminate these blessings of baptism, then, we are spiritually impoverished, beleaguered, and dead.  We are still living in our sins and fulfilling the lusts of flesh.  We are living without God which is the very definition of doom, despair, and hopelessness (Eph. 2:12).

How would you define the good life?  Do you think that it would be to have plenty of money to do whatever you wanted to do?  More play and less work?  Self-indulgence, but not to the point of self-destruction? Being the envy of your neighbors?  Success, yes, but how do you define success?  What do you really want out of life?
God’s word defines the good life.  Psalm 34:11-14 and I Peter 3:10-11 point us in the right direction.  Psalm 34 was written by David and Peter wrote I Peter 3 and quoted David’s Psalm.  The Psalm invites us to consider the aspects of the good life.  There is the invitation, the explanation, the question and the answer.
First, the invitation is given.  “Come, ye children, hearken unto me….”  Are you interested?  Listen and learn.  Your life begins to be shaped by who you listen to.  What voice(s) direct your choices?  Each person is a collection of voices.  We have those voices in our memories and they affect our thinking and our decisions.  Most of us can recall what our parents have taught us.  We can remember the words of our grandparents or other family members.  Add the voices of good teachers and friends.  Who are you listening to?  The wisdom from above comes from God.  If we are not listening to God, can we say that we are pursuing the good life?  The invitation has been extended.  You have to answer.  What will your answer be?
Second, the explanation is given.  “I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”  This sounds like a great life lesson.  What does it mean?  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).  Knowledge of God, God’s Will, life itself, and the good life of course.  Life’s decisions are based on what we know.  When we know the truth and utilize it, our decisions become more attuned to God’s wisdom.  The fear of the LORD is a combination of love for God (adoration, affection, attachment and allegiance) and knowledge of God’s punitive power which produces reverence and godly fear (Heb. 12:28).  The good life is shaped by our attitude toward God.  The right attitude toward God is the pathway of wisdom.  The wrong attitude toward God is the pathway of fools.  The good life is shaped by the fear of the LORD.
Third, the question is given.  “What man is he that desireth life, and liveth many days, that he may see good?”  Let’s break this thought down.  “Desires life” means that he wants to live life to its fullest.  The optimal life is the spiritually optimal life (John 10:10).  Spiritual life comes from God and is given only by God to us.  Sin brings corruption, destruction, and death (both spiritual and physical).  Only God can redeem our soul and impart spiritual life.  Can we say we are living the good life if we are not spiritually regenerated?  “Loveth many days” refers to the length of life and its productivity.  The longer we live, the more fruitful we can be.  “See good” refers to experiencing the good.  God is good!  Good is defined by God.  God is morally perfect (holy).  God is infinite in goodness.  The goodness of God is the fountain of His grace toward us.  To be good is to be like God and manifest His nature and undefeatable, benevolent, goodwill.  Good is the opposite of evil.  God leads us in the pathway of righteousness.  If we are not following God, can we say that we are living the good life?
Fourth, the answer is presented to us.  There are four aspects to the answer.  “Keep thy tongue from evil” is the first aspect.  James 3:2-18 reveals that if we can control the tongue, we can control the entire body.  Self-control is an attribute of the good life.  All relationships depend upon being able to control the tongue.  Evil communications are destructive to the soul of man and destroy relationships with others and with God.  No wonder James says that the tongue is a fire and is set on fire of hell!  The good life must be characterized by speaking the truth and speaking words of encouragement and edification.  The second aspect is lips that speak no guile.  Guile is deceit.  Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34).  Out of an evil treasure, evil things are spoken.  Out of a good treasure, good things are spoken.  The good life is characterized by speaking the truth thus indicating a good heart.  Relationships are built upon trust and without truth there can be no trust.  The third aspect is departing from evil.  The only intrinsic evil is sin.  The good life is characterized by the pursuit of righteousness and godliness.  We must pursue love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (the fruits of the Spirit–Gal. 5:22-23).  We must reject every sinful attitude and behavior.  The good life is marked by Christlikeness.  Finally, David encourages us to seek peace and pursue it.  True peace is the tranquility of soul that fears nothing from God because it rests in God’s grace and love.  Spiritual peace is reconciliation to God.  Sinners live in enmity with God.  The righteous live in peace with God.  The good life is characterized by oneness with God where there is salvation, security, safety and peace.
The apostle Peter quotes this Psalm in I Pet. 3:10-11.  He defines the spiritually optimal life, indeed the Christian life, utilizing the words of David.  The good life is shaped by the voice of God.  It is shaped by an attitude of reverence and godly fear.  It is shaped by a pursuit of God and imitation of God.  It is shaped by self-control, a good heart, the pursuit of good not evil,  and peace with God through the redemption that was secured by the Lord Jesus Christ.  The good life is the Christian life.  All are invited to come and learn the wisdom from above that leads us to spiritual life now and eternal life in the world to come.

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.

     Was Thomas Jefferson a Christian?  Recently, Daniel L. Dreisbach wrote an article for Christian History (issue 99, summer 2008, p. 15) entitled, “The Wall of Separation” in which he related that Jefferson described himself as “a real Christian” although he was aware that his beliefs were unconventional.  Jefferson said, “I am a sect by myself.”  He believed that human reason was the arbiter of religious truth and rejected key tenets of Christianity, including the Bible’s divine origins, the deity of Christ, and the miraculous accounts in Scripture.  This brings up the question, “what is a Christian?”  Can a person be a Christian and deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? 
     The word “Christian” is always used as a noun in the New Testament.  It describes those who are disciples of Jesus Christ.  In Acts 11:26, the first occurrence of this word is found in the New Testament.  “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.  And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.  and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”  The second time the word “Christian” is found in the New Testament is Acts 26:28, “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”  The third time the word “Christian” is found in the New Testament is I Pet. 4:16, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”  A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ.  A Christian must believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that God raised Him from the dead.  John declares, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” (I John 4:14-15).  What about those who deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?  Jesus answered, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:33).  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a fundamental tenet of Christianity.  Paul wrote concerning Jesus Christ,  “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).  To deny both of these facts–that Jesus is God’s Son and that Jesus was resurrected from the dead –is unchristian.  Thomas Jefferson’s unbelief disqualifies him from the claim to be a Christian.  A Christian is one who has heard the Gospel call and answered it by faith and obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20).