Outward and Inward

 “Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith.” (Watchman Nee)

The act of baptism can mean different things to different people. Baptism involves immersing the body in water by an individual who is completely aware of what is being done to them. (This is why I do not believe babies qualify to be baptized.)  

The act of immersion SYMBOLIZES the act of salvation (when this person becomes a member of God’s family with this action). Our example for baptism is Jesus Christ who was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River as is recorded in Matthew 3:16-17 (ERV).

So Jesus was baptized. As soon as he came up out of the water, the sky opened, and He saw God’s Spirit coming down on him like a dove.  A voice from Heaven said, “This is my Son, the One I love. I am very pleased with Him.”

Many people have taken verses out of context to come up with the belief that both baptism and salvation are required to arrive at Heaven one day (when they leave this world for the next). Below are three (of the many) verses that could be accepted to imply that belief. If you read them carefully, you’ll find that not to be the case.

Mark 16:16, Living Bible-Those who believe and are baptized will be saved. But those who refuse to believe will be condemned.

 

John 3:5, Easy-to-Read Version-Jesus answered, “Believe me when I say that everyone must be born from water and the Spirit. Anyone who is not born from water and the Spirit cannot enter God’s kingdom. (Water refers to the process of birth.)

 

Acts 22:16, International Children’s Bible-Now, why wait any longer? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away. Do this, trusting in him to save you.

The greatest proof that baptism and salvation are both not required for entrance into Heaven would be the guilty repentant criminal being crucified next to Jesus. He wanted to accept Jesus, and go to Heaven as His life ebbed away. The Romans were not going to allow this criminal to be baptized before he died. I believe His confrontation with Jesus was unexpected, miraculous, and changed him for all eternity. Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 (ICB) says this:

³²There were also two criminals led out with Jesus to be killed. ³³ Jesus and the two criminals were taken to a place called the Skull. There the soldiers nailed Jesus to his cross. They also nailed the criminals to their crosses, one beside Jesus on the right and the other beside Jesus on the left. One of the criminals began to shout insults at Jesus: “Aren’t you the Christ? Then save yourself! And save us too!”

 ^{n 40} But the other criminal stopped him. He said, “You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment as he is. ⁴¹ We are punished justly; we should die. But this man has done nothing wrong!” ⁴² Then this criminal said to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!” ⁴³ Then Jesus said to him, “Listen! What I say is true: Today you will be with me in Paradise!”

Baptism is important in life of a follower of Christ. It has the ability to strengthen one’s faith and walk with God. Vance Havner gives the significance of baptism for him in this way. We may never be martyrs but we can die to self, to sin, to the world, to our plans and ambitions. That is the significance of baptism; we died with Christ and rose to new life.  That sums it up for me; Christianity is a lifestyle of constantly dying to the desires of self. How can you be better at doing this for Jesus, who gave you the best He had-His life.