This Article: (5 Pages)
- 1. Baptism and Salvation
- 2. Meaning of the word 'Baptism'
- 3. The Necessity for Baptism
- 4. After Baptism
- 5. The Way to Salvation
5) The Way to Salvation
Baptism is necessary for salvation. There has long been an attitude among Christians that a complete immersion is unnecessary, based on what they perceive as God's overriding mercy. However, there is overwhelming evidence that for many centuries the Aposolic practice of a complete immersion was followed, to be replaced in more recent times by the sprinkling of water as in the christening of babies, which is not in the true sense of the meaning of the word 'bapto', nor in accordance with the examples set by Jesus and his disciples and the clear command of Jesus to his disciples.
The three thousand at Pentecost gladly received the word and were baptised (Acts 2:41), the Eunuch, guided by Philip believed, was baptised and went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:30-39) and the Philippian Gaoler asked what he had to do to be saved (Acts 16:30-34) and having submitted to baptism also rejoiced in the hope of salvation and eternal life.
Belief in the promises of God and the symbolic death and rising to a new life of service to God through the waters of baptism, acknowledging Jesus' sacrificial role in opening the way of salvation and forgiveness for sins, are the first requirements for those who seek the amazing gift of eternal life.
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