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Objections To Baptism (1)
John R. Gentry
In last two articles we discussed the necessity of being immersed into Christ in order to receive the remission of our sins and be saved (see website for archives). Despite all the New Testament clearly teaches on the subject, there are many in the religious world who object to the Biblical teaching that submersion into Christ is a part of God’s pattern of obedience to the gospel in order to be saved. Let’s examine some of the more prominent and popular objections.
The Thief On The Cross
Jesus told one of the two thieves hanging on crosses near his, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23.43). Some say baptism cannot be essential to our salvation because this thief was not baptized. Truth be told, he very well could have been baptized (cf. Mark 1.5; John 4.1-2). More importantly, however, we must recognize that Jesus’ testament that brought salvation to the world had not yet been put into effect, for a testament only goes into effect after one dies (Heb. 9.16-17). Jesus himself said that this testament would not go into effect until it began in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Luke 24.47).
Jesus forgave many people of their sins in many different ways while walking on this earth, but, since his death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven where he was inaugurated as King, the power of salvation lies only in the gospel plan of salvation that was first proclaimed in Acts 2. Yes, Jesus told this thief, who was or was not baptized, that he would be in Paradise, implying he would inherit eternal life. But if this pre-Pentecost example is relevant for today, then what about the other pre-Pentecost examples of inheriting eternal life? For example, in Mark 10.17-21 Jesus told a young man that in order to inherit eternal life, “Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven…” Now who is willingly to say that in addition to not being baptized because the thief was not baptized, we must sell all of our possessions and give the money to the poor in order that we might inherit eternal life?
The thief lived and died under a different testament than we are under today. Therefore his example, and others like it, is not relevant for us today.
Conclusion
Lord willing, we will continue this discussion next week by examining the following objections: 1) We are saved by faith alone, 2) Mark 16.16 does not say “and is not baptized”
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.11.21