BIBLICAL BAPTISM FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS
INTRODUCTION:
You speak of "circumcision of the heart" as salvation, but then do you try to exclude baptism? My bible says,
"In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:11-12)
When we speak of someone being "saved," that is they are "born again" unto a "new creation" in Christ Jesus, what do we mean by that? Are we not simply saying that they are freed from the bondage of sin, being forgiven and attaining a new life? Must one's sins be washed away in order for them to be saved? Is remission of sins part of the new birth experience? We say that salvation is by the blood of Christ. Then we speak of "circumcision of the heart." Does this add to salvation? Is this a contradiction? No, I think we'd all agree that it is the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses us from our sins. Why do we believe this? It is because the scriptures plainly teach it. Can you imagine anyone professing Christianity and trying to dispute such a fact? Hebrews 9:22 states,
"And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission."
In Ephesians 1:7, concerning the blood of Christ Paul tells us,
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,"
And John, in Revelation 1:5, says that Jesus,
"Loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood."
So obviously it is nothing but the blood of Jesus Christ that has the power to wash away sin. What does this have to do with water baptism? Exactly how does God circumcise our hearts? At what point, when one comes to God for forgiveness, are his sins washed away? This study will answer these questions purely from God's holy Scriptures.
Presented by the New Testament Body of Christ
- Written by
- Rodney Smith
Click on Chapter:
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
CONCLUSION
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