God's Grace and Baptism

God's Grace vs. Earning Salvation

Many people mistakenly believe that as long as their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds, they will be saved. They hope that God grades on a curve, comparing them to others. However, choice, not chance, determines one's eternal destination.

The Law as a Measuring Rod

God gave the law (e.g., the Ten Commandments) in the Old Testament as a measuring rod, not to earn salvation, but to show how we fall short of perfection. The law serves as a measuring stick, just like a scorecard in golf reveals mistakes. Even on our best days, we miss the mark. Isaiah 64:6 states that our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to Jesus Christ.

The Standard of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the standard of perfection. He is the only one with a perfect scorecard, achieving a "one" on every hole. We often prefer to compare ourselves to those who appear less spiritual, avoiding the realization of our imperfection when compared to Jesus.

Salvation Through Faith, Not Works

Galatians 3:2 asks whether we receive the Spirit by works of the law or by believing what we heard. Are we saved by faith or by adherence to the law?

Many struggle with doubts about their salvation, wondering if they've done enough. However, a believer in Christ should confidently know they are saved, guaranteed by God's word and Jesus' promise. We can never do enough to earn a spot in heaven. If we could, there would have been no need for Jesus to come to earth.

Christ's Redemption

Galatians 3:13 states that Christ rescued us from the curse of the law by taking upon himself the curse of our wrongdoing. The law only confirms our imperfection and inability to keep all commands. Jesus lived a sinless life and took on our sins, fulfilling the law we couldn't.

Galatians 3:21-22 clarifies that God's law and promises are not in conflict. The scripture declares that we are all prisoners of sin, and we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

The Role of Baptism

Faith moves into obedience, expressed through baptism (Galatians 3:26-27). Baptism symbolizes being united with Christ, putting on Christ like new clothes. Romans explains that we are united with Christ and clothed with him through baptism.

Baptism is not a work to earn salvation but a gift, a change of wardrobe. By faith, we choose Jesus, and in baptism, someone else performs the act, symbolizing our reliance on God's grace, you even stop breathing during the process, emphasizing the absence of work and the presence of faith.

Five Biblical Truths About Baptism

  1. Commanded by Christ:

    • Matthew 28:19: Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.

    • Mark 16:15-16: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.

  2. Part of the New Testament Church Pattern:

    • Acts 2: On the day of Pentecost, Peter urged people to repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins. About 3,000 were baptized.

    • Conversion accounts in Acts consistently include belief and baptism (e.g., Simon the sorcerer, the Ethiopian official, Saul/Paul, Cornelius, Lydia, the Philippian jailer).

    • The word "baptize" (Greek baptizo) means to dip, plunge beneath, or immerse. Acts describes people going down into and coming up out of the water.

    • Acts 22:16: Ananias tells Saul, "Get up, be baptized, wash your sins away."

  3. Expression of Faith:

    • Colossians 2:12: We are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to new life through faith.

    • Baptism communicates humility, joy, and obedience.

  4. Meaningful Symbol:

    • Like the rainbow and communion, baptism represents something: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    • Romans 6:3-4: We are buried with Christ through baptism into death, in order to live a new life.

    • 1 Peter 3:21: Baptism symbolizes inner cleansing and saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

  5. Personal Commitment:

    • There is no scriptural example of infant baptism. Every conversion account involves an individual choice.

    • Each individual makes the personal commitment for baptism.

Practical Implications

Obedience to baptism is an act of worship and a demonstration of love for God. As Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commands."

There is no excuse to delay baptism. Every weekend, resources are available to facilitate spontaneous baptisms for those who believe in Jesus, admit their sin, and repent. As Ananias said to Saul, "What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized."