IS BAPTISM AN OUTWARD SIGN? YES! BY STEVE FINNELL

Is water baptism an outward sign of an inward grace? Yes, in order to accept God's free gift of salvation men must be immersed in water.

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The outward sign is the immersion in water. The inward grace is the forgiveness of sins we receive by following the command of Jesus to be baptized in water. There is no inward grace granted until men are immersed in water. Baptism is not a sign that we have already been saved. Baptism is a sign that believers in Christ are being saved.

1 Peter 3:20-21 ....safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you---not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience---through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

The outward sign is water baptism. The inward grace is that baptism saves through an appeal to God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If men do not confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, believe that He is the Son of God and believe that God raised Him from the dead, and make the commitment to turn from sin and turn to God, then, of course your baptism will not save you. Baptism is the final step before receiving forgiveness of sins. Water baptism is the point that the blood of Jesus washes away your sins.

Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgression and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

The outward sign is being buried with Jesus in the watery grave of baptism. The inward grace is being made spiritually alive with Christ, having our transgressions forgiven. We are dead in our transgression before we are buried with Christ in water baptism. We are made alive and have our transgressions forgiven after baptism, not before.

Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

The outward sign is water baptism. The inward grace is being clothed with Christ. You are not baptized into Christ because you have already been clothed with Christ. The clothing does not precede, being baptized into Christ.

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

The outward sign is water baptism. The inward grace of salvation follows believing and being baptized in water.

THERE ARE TWO OUTWARD SIGNS

1. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

The outward sign is confession. The inward grace is salvation.

2. WATER IMMERSION: Mark 16:16....has been baptized shall be saved...

The outward sign is baptism. The inward grace is salvation.

IS WATER BAPTISM AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD GRACE? YES, BUT WITHOUT THE OUTWARD SIGN OF BAPTISM NO INWARD GRACE OCCURS.

What must I do to be saved? FAITH John 3:16 REPENTANCE Acts 2:38 CONFESSION Romans 10:9-10 BAPTISM Mark 16:16

(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)