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[Note: \u00a0<\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1<\/strong> \u00a0page.]<\/span><\/p>\n Those who teach and practice the New Testament doctrine concerning baptism in God\u2019s plan of salvation have been accused of teaching \u201cwater salvation.\u201d Acts 22:16 may elicit this accusation more often than any other passage: \u201cAnd now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.\u201d When we emphasize the plainness of this declaration that the guilt of sins is removed not before, but in, the act of baptism, we hear the retort: \u201cYou believe that water will wash away sins.\u201d If this passage so states, then we would all be obligated so to teach. However, neither this nor any other statement of Scripture so teaches, and we have never met anyone who believes such obvious heresy.<\/span><\/p>\n In spite of the clearest statements of Scripture to the contrary, most Protestant denominations deny that baptism is a condition of God\u2019s forgiveness of our sins. Some reason that acceptance of such would equal salvation by one\u2019s own works. Others reject the necessity of baptism because of their erroneous dictum of salvation by \u201cgrace alone\u201d and \u201cfaith alone\u201d (not realizing that alone logically must exclude either \u201cgrace\u201d or \u201cfaith\u201d). In order to maintain their \u201cdenial syndrome\u201d relative to baptism, men have invented numerous ingenious ploys to avoid the force of explicit statements of inspired men, including those made by Jesus (e.g., Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3\u20134; Gal. 3:27; Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet 3:21; et al.).<\/span><\/p>\n One must look elsewhere to discover the only agent that can \u201cwash away\u201d the sins that will bring eternal condemnation, if not forgiven. Jesus \u201cpoured out\u201d His blood for remission of the sins of mankind (Mat. 26:28). We are redeemed by Jesus\u2019 blood (1 Pet. 1:18\u201319). He \u201cwashed us from our sins in his own blood\u201d (Rev. 1:5; cf. 7:14). The old hymn asks, \u201cWhat can wash away my sin?\u201d and flawlessly answers: \u201cNothing but the blood of Jesus.\u201d Unless one applies Jesus\u2019 blood to his sins he will be eternally lost.<\/span><\/p>\n What, then, does Acts 22:16 teach? Not what washes away sins, but when one\u2019s sins are \u201cwashed away.\u201d The \u201cwhat\u201d (as noted above) is the blood of Jesus; the \u201cwhen\u201d is in the act of baptism. Romans 6:3 explicitly makes baptism the access to Jesus\u2019 blood by saying one is \u201cbaptized into his death.\u201d The Scriptural conclusions are unavoidable: (1) Forgiveness\/salvation apart from the blood of Christ is impossible, (2) baptism is the means of access to the blood of Christ, and therefore, (3) no baptism, no blood, no forgiveness\/salvation.<\/span><\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> \u00a0I wrote this article and it appeared in the Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton, Tx February 20, 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution<\/strong>: From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 2[Note: \u00a0This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 \u00a0page.] Those who teach and practice the New Testament doctrine concerning baptism in God\u2019s plan of salvation have been accused of teaching \u201cwater salvation.\u201d Acts 22:16 may elicit this accusation more…<\/p>\n