Grant's Baptism

This past Sunday at church, Grant was baptized! What a glorious day it was! You see, my excitement is not that this act of baptizing saved him and is now assured a place in Heaven. It is Grant's step of faith and obediance to God in his walk with Him. The meaning of baptism today holds too many different views. This is what I believe to hold true of baptism (in a condensed version):

Baptism is not necessary for salvation because we are saved by faith alone. Although Jesus commanded baptism (Matt. 28:19), it is not what gives us justification from sins. Mark 16:16 states, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." It does not say 'he who does not believe and is not baptized' will be condemned. It says nothing about those who believe and are not baptized. Clearly the thief dying on the cross next to Jesus was saved (Luke 23:43) but did not have a chance to be baptized. He went to Heaven by faith alone. The only spiritual benefit to believers who are baptized is the blessing of God's favor that comes with all obediance, as well as joy that comes with the public profession of faith. Baptism is a symbolism of dying to self and rising with Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Colossians 2:11-12). It is an outward, public confession of one's faith in Jesus Christ and regeneration of life  As Wayne Grudem professes, "The amazing truths of passing through the waters of judgement safely, of dying and rising with Christ, and of having our sins washed away, are truths of momentous and eternal proportion and ought to be an occassion for giving great glory and praise to God."

To Him be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.