What baptism does not do
- 1. What Baptism Does Not Do Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:21).
- 2. Why Study • Some may place too much emphasis on it. • Some may think that baptism does it all. • What does baptism do? – Washes away sins (Acts 22:16) – Puts one in Christ (Gal. 3:27; 2 Tim. 2:10) – Saves (1 Pet. 3:21) – Gives new life (Rom. 6:4)
- 3. What Baptism Does Not Do • Does not put off the filth of the flesh. – Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you— not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:21). • Does not change the heart. – And made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith (Acts 15:9).
- 4. What Baptism Does Not Do • Does not take away desire to sin. – For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. – Jesus tempted to sin after his baptism (Matt. 4). • Does not negate any other command of God. – Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:41-42).
- 5. What Baptism Does Not Do • Does not assure salvation for the future. – “Baptism now saves us…” (1 Pet. 3:21) – Salvation: Past, Present, Future • He who believes and is baptized will be saved (Mk. 16:16). • Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). • To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Pet. 1:4-5). • Observing “all things” assures present & future salvation (Matt. 28:19).
- 6. What Baptism Does Not Do • Does not assure salvation for the future. – We must add to our faith… But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:5- 11).
- 7. What Baptism Does Not Do • Does not make you a member of a local church – And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). – And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out (Acts 9:26-28).
- 8. What Baptism Does Not Do • Does not remove persecution, affliction, sickness, or death. – Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). – Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7:54-60). – Trophimus became ill (2 Tim. 4:20). – Paul had a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7).
- 9. What Baptism Does • Washes away sins (Acts 22:16) • Puts one in Christ (Gal. 3:27; 2 Tim. 2:10) • Saves (1 Pet. 3:21) • Gives new life (Rom. 6:4) • Baptism IS a condition of salvation (Acts 2:38) – No promise of heaven without it. – Obey command, then press on to maturity.