WITHOUT WATER BAPTISM? by steve finnell

If there were no water baptism, then what?

Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."......(NKJV)

1. Jesus was not guilty of sin.

2. Had Jesus refused to be baptized in water He would have been guilty of sin; because He would not have done what God required of Him.

3. Jesus was baptized as an act of obedience to the Father. Had Jesus not been baptized in water He would have disqualified Himself to be the Savior of all men.

If there were no water baptism, then what?

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husband, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but it should be holy and without blemish. (NKJV)

1. Without water baptism the church could not be sanctified and cleansed.

2. Without water baptism the church could not be without spots or wrinkles.

3. Without water baptism the church would not be holy and without blemish.

If there were no water baptism, then what?

Is water baptism an act of obedience? Yes.

1. Without being obedient in water baptism men cannot be saved. (Mark 16:16)

2. Without being obedient in water baptism Saul would not have had his sins washed away. (Acts 22:16

3. Without being obedient in water baptism the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost would not have had their sins forgiven. (Acts 2:38)

4. Without being obedient in water baptism men cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

5. Without being obedient in water baptism you cannot be forgiven your trespasses. (Colossians 2:12-13)

6. Without being obedient in water baptism you cannot walk in newness of life, you cannot be freed from sin, you cannot be alive to God in Christ. (Romans 6:4-11)

7. Without being obedient in water baptism you cannot be saved. (1Peter 3:21)

8. Without being obedient in water baptism you have not been baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

9. Without being obedient in water baptism you cannot be saved and added to the Lord's church. (Acts 2:40, 41,47)