The Sheer Grace of Baptism

# 768- Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” This is how the Holy Spirit spoke the great commission through Mark. In verse 15, the disciples are told to go into the world preaching the full gospel of salvation. In verse 16, they are given the message to preach. The full gospel message has two parts. Baptism and faith. Baptism is a vital element of the salvation equation! However it seems to be missing in much of the gospel preaching we hear today. Not so for the early church, and let us be open to learning from them! Read the book of Acts! You can't escape the fact that the necessity of baptism is almost always uttered in the same breath with the necessity of faith. What did Peter say in his first sermon? “Repent and be baptized,” (Acts 2:38) When Phillip explained the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch, he included the necessity of baptism. We know this because the first thing the Ethiopian asked for was baptism! (Acts 8:37) Seriously, ask yourself, “Why would he do that if Phillip hadn't included it in his gospel presentation. More importantly, keep your heart open to what I am about to say: Since baptism is a necessary element of salvation, (He who believes AND (my caps) is baptized will be saved;) we must look at it not as an act of obedience on the part of the individual. Rather it is an act of obedience on the part of the church, as they respond to the great commission. To view it as an act of individual obedience is to embrace salvation by works. Baptism is something that God does through His church FOR individuals, and it is sheer grace. When this is rightly understood, the baptism passages will come alive for you in Scripture: By grace (God's activity) in baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit: Ac 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. By grace, (God's activity) in baptism, we are “born again.” Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. By grace (God's activity) in baptism, we are saved, washed, regenerated, and renewed! Tit 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, By grace, (God's activity) in baptism, we are saved and guilt is removed from our conscience. 1Pe 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, By grace (God's activity) in baptism, our sins are washed away. Ac 22:16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' Baptism is not something we do for God, but something He does for us.