1 Corinthians 1:17 Authorized (King James) Version “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”
Often I have asked people what happens when one dies, when you die where will you go? The biggest question that I ask is “What do you think about Jesus Christ?” Most often the reply is the same. “I was baptized and so I’m OK?” That gives me an opening to present the gospel.
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Before Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, under law and the ministry of John the Baptist, baptism was required to be saved. Along with keeping the law [some 613 individual laws] one must “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38. God has dealt with mankind in different ways through out history. These are called dispensations, one can see that is true in reading the Old Testament in relation to the New Testament and then comparing those scriptures “to the revelation of the mystery” [Romans 16:25 given to Paul, exclusively].
The baptism for today is by believing what God has said and revealed to Paul, “if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:2b.
Paul preached consistently “believe” no baptism, no walking a isle, no raising a hand, no just saying this prayer, just to “BELIEVE”… Here are a few: Romans 1:16, 3:22, 3:26, 4:5; 1 Corinthians 1:21, 3:5, 15:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 2:16; 3:22; Ephesians 1:13, 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:10, 2:12; 1 Timothy 1:16, 3:16, 4:3, 4:10, 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:12.
The baptism for this dispensation is the baptism done spiritually by the Holy Spirit to the believer in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13. There is only one baptism today; “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6.
The twelve disciples of Christ had been taught by Christ during His earthly ministry. Christ taught under the law and taught law. John the Baptist likewise taught as what had been prophesied. As did Peter in his sermon in Acts 2 & 3 and to Cornelius. Paul received his gospel [Romans 2:16] from the risen LORD Jesus Christ who was in heaven; “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12 To those who were taught by Christ these things were hidden; “ Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
Salvation is in Him by just believing, but the believing of what is important. It, the believing must be done in the way and order that It’s all about Him, nothing you can add or do will be accepted, only to believe that He died for your sin [personally] that He was buried and that He arose again the third day [1 Corinthians 15:17].
JUST BELIEVE !!!
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