BAPTISM IN THE BOOK OF ACTS
Twenty-seven times the student of Acts
finds the words “baptize,” “baptized,” and “baptism.” Over and
over again, the diligent Bible student is impressed with what this book has to
say about the subject of baptism.
First, we see the NECESSITY of baptism:
In the book of Acts, when men and women asked what they needed to do in order to
be saved, baptism was always a part of the answer (Acts 2:38; 16:39). For
example, on the day of Pentecost, the pricked people who heard Peter’s
preaching were told to “...repent and be baptized for the remission of sins”
(Acts 2:38). Did Peter tell these men and women to do something what
wasn’t necessary to their salvation? Those who teach salvation by
“faith only” have to say that he did. However, Peter’s language
makes clear the essentiality of baptism. Notice that he told them to be
baptized for the “remission” of their sins (Acts 2:38). Based upon
Peter’s inspired statement, we would have to say that baptism is as essential
to salvation as having one’s sins remitted.
To argue that baptism is unessential is to argue that having one’s sins
remitted is unessential. Surely, no one would say that having one’s sins
remitted is unessential. After all, Jesus shed His blood “...for the
remission of sins” (Mt. 26:28). Was it necessary for Jesus to die?
Most all men
would agree that the death of Jesus was essential to man’s salvation (Heb.
2:9). Yet, they reject the essentiality of baptism when the same language
is used to describe it. Later, in the book of Acts, we find the word
“must” connected with baptism on two different occasions. On the road
to Demascus, Saul was told to arise and “wash away” his sins (Acts 22:16,
cf. I Cor. 6:11). The Philippian jailor asked what he “must” do in
order to be saved (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas instructed him to be
baptized (16:33).
Second, we see the URGENCY of baptism:
Those who learned the truth on the day of Pentecost were baptized on that same
day (Luke 2:41). The apostles did not delay baptizing these men and women
into Christ. They realized that until men and women were baptized, they
were still in their sins (Acts 2:38). In the eighth chapter of Acts, the
eunuch was baptized on his way home from worship. From the context, it is
easy to see the urgency that the eunuch placed upon baptism. After all,
when they came to water, he asked if anything was standing in the way of his
being baptized (8:36). Based upon his confession, Philip commanded the
chariot to stand still and baptized him into Christ (8:37-38). The eunuch
did not wait until he got home to be baptized. He obeyed God immediately.
In like manner, when the Philippian jailor and his family understood the
precious plan of God, they were baptized the “...same hour of the night”
(Acts 16:33). From the context, we know that their baptism took place in
the early hours of the morning. They were not taught until after midnight
(16:25). Why didn’t Paul and Silas wait until daybreak to baptize the
jailor and his household? What does this tell us about the urgency of
baptism?
Third, we see the AUTHORITY of baptism:
Throughout the book of Acts, baptism is done “in the name of Jesus Christ”
(2:38; 8:12, 16; 10:48; 19:5) To do something in the name of Jesus is to
do it by His authority. In giving the great commission to His disciples,
Jesus connected baptism with His authority. He said, “All power
(authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in 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” (Mt. 28:18-20, cf. Col. 3:17). Is it surprising that the apostles
made this same connection between baptism and the authority of Christ throughout
the book of Acts.
Any Bible student who studies the book of Acts must be impressed with what this
great book says about baptism. Those who reject baptism as being essential
to salvation, must of necessity, reject the book of Acts.
—Selected
By Wade Webster, Jacksonville Church of Christ