TRUE BAPTISM 

TO MAKE PEOPLE KNOW how they can be save, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior, commanded His disciples:  "And He said to them, 'go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned"  (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV).

Thus, the Savior Himself taught that one cannot be saved without receiving and believing in the gospel, and being baptized.  However, it is important to know if the baptism received by a person is the true baptism taught in the Bible.

Which the true baptism?  Apostle Paul teaches:  "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." (I Cor.12:13, Ibid.)

Accordingly, the true baptism is the baptism into the one body.  Which is the one body?  the one body of Christ (Eph. 4:4), the church headed by Him (Col. 1:18) and which He will save (Eph 4:4), ---the Church Of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation).  Thus, if one truly desires to receive the true baptism or the baptism that will lead to salvation, he needs to be baptized into the true church Of Christ.

What is gained by a person who is baptized into the Church Of Christ He becomes a true disciple of Christ of a true Christian (Acts 11:26), for the Lord Himself commanded His apostles, thus:  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit"  (Matt 28:19, NKJV).

What blessings are in store for those who have received the true baptism and have become Christ's disciples or members of the Church Of Christ?  Apostle  Peter said, "...Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38, NIV).

Hence, if we receive the true baptism, we receive the blessings that come with it---we become a true disciple of Christ, we are forgiven of our sins, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and we become worthy of God's grace of salvation on judgment Day.

By Ervin M. Almedina

God's Message Magazine

Issued April 2016