Some say, that the baptism Jesus commissioned in Matthew 28:18-20 is, “an outward sign of an inward grace”. This sounds very nice and quite religious, but though I have heard it for years, I cannot believe that it is true. My problem is that this teaching just isn’t found anywhere in the Bible.

I have asked some who make this claim to show me where it is taught, but as yet none of them have been able to point out either an example of this phraseology or a clear expression of the teaching from the word of God. As a Christian, I have no right to accept a teaching as from the Lord Jesus Christ without a word on it either from Him or from one of His apostles or prophets.

Others say, that baptism is “a sign to others that you are saved”. This also sounds nice. My problem is again, however, the same as with the above viewpoint, that it is not something taught in the New Testament.

There are many examples offered in the book of Acts especially, of people being baptized, and quite a bit of teaching about baptism itself in other parts of the New Testament. Neither of the above views on baptism, however, are included in the examples nor are they included in the teachings. What I am therefore compelled to believe is that these teachings are from man and not from God.

Now I don’t question the moral integrity of those who believe these things about baptism. Ironically, many of them I am confident that they would be the first to tell me to accept only what is taught in the Bible. That is precisely what I am trying to do regarding baptism.

So what is the purpose of baptism according to Holy Scripture?

The apostle Peter said it was for “remission of sin”, Acts 2:38. More specifically, he wrote, “baptism now saves you”, 1st Peter 3:21. Almost as if to emphasize the importance of baptism for us, he even commanded Cornelius and his family to be baptized after they had received the baptism of the Spirit, Acts 10:44-48.

Why else would he do this unless he knew that his Lord Jesus had commissioned it for the purpose of saving us from our sin?

The apostle Paul was told by Ananias, a minister hand-picked by God, “be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord”, Acts 22:16. In perfect harmony with this teaching, Paul later wrote to the church at Rome teaching them that we are buried with Christ in baptism in order that our “body of sin might be done away”, Romans 6:3-6. He also taught the Galatians that baptism was the point at which they “clothed themselves with Christ”, Galatians 3:26-27 and the Colossians that baptism was the point at which their sin was removed by the “circumcision made without hands”, 2:11-12.

Please, pick up your Bible and research these things for yourself. I simply want you to face the coming day of judgment having faithfully obeyed what Jesus taught and for the reasons He gave. Either He is your Lord and you obey Him, or someone else is your lord (see Romans 6:16 on this).

You decide.