Paul wrote, “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. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions” (Colossians 2:12-13). When one is baptized, God is working. He is the one who removes our sins – something we cannot do ourselves. This is why Peter described baptism as one making “an appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21). Our sins are washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16). Also, in baptism, the subject is passive. One does not baptize himself. When the Ethiopian eunuch learned about Jesus and believed, he needed Philip to baptize him (Acts 8:38). One must submit to God’s instructions and be baptized – allow someone to immerse him (which is what the Greek word actually means) in water. Furthermore, any doctrine that teaches that we do not do anything to be saved is simply wrong. The Hebrew writer said, “And having been made perfect, [Jesus] became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). What must we do to be saved? The Scriptures teach that we must:
- Hear the gospel (Matthew 13:9; Romans 10:17)
- Believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6)
- Repent of our sins (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30)
- Confess our faith in Jesus (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10)
- Be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21)
- Be faithful until death (Romans 6:17-18; Revelation 2:10)
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