Many want to argue over the necessity of Baptism today, but this was not the case for the first church. We see multiple times in the scripture where the message of Jesus Christ was preached. The immediate response of those who heard the message was to be baptized. This was the case for the Ethiopian eunuch who was taught by Phillip.
Acts 8:35–38 (ESV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Before meeting Phillip it is hard to believe that the Ethiopian had ever heard of baptism or it’s importance. But through the preaching of Phillip, the need to be baptized came up. Which caused the man to ask in that very moment if he could be baptized. As you can see Phillip was more than happy to oblige.
As you read on in the book of Acts this trend will continue. The Phillipian jailer had a first-hand experience that opened his eyes to the reality of God. When God responded in a mighty way to praise offered up by Paul and Silas while they laid in chains. This leads to the jailer asking what he must do to be saved and was told he simply to believe.
Acts 16:30–31 (ESV)
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Many today would stop simply at the act of belief. But that is simply not the way the first church operated or what they believed. As we are able to see clearly in the verses that follow those. Paul and Silas used the foundation of faith as a jumping board. They continued to teach the man and his family. All of which would be baptized that very same night.
Acts 16:32–33 (ESV)
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
Baptism is even preached in the very first message brought forth after the ascension of Jesus into heaven. The spirit falls on those gathered in the upper room and many outside begin to ask questions. So Peter gets up and lays out all that had been foretold by the Prophets. Clearly showing that Jesus had fulfilled every prophecy. Many who heard his words believed and asked what they needed to do to be saved. They were told that every one of them needed to be baptized in the name of Jesus.
Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism was always emphasized in the first church because Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior taught that it was necessary. He said that the only way to enter the kingdom of God was to be born again. And not simply born into a new belief but born again of the water and the spirit.
John 3:3–6 (ESV)
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Not only did Jesus teach of the necessity of baptism but He himself was baptized before beginning His ministry. Baptism even stayed a part of His ministry as we see the disciples performing baptisms as they traveled with Jesus.
Matthew 3:13–17 (ESV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
John 3:22 (ESV)
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.
John 4:1–2 (ESV)
1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),
In fact, when Jesus gave the disciples their final instructions He did not leave out the need for people to be baptized. But told the disciples to go forth and baptize all those that they bring to the faith.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
It is easy to see that the act of baptism was always a part of the message preached by the first church. Because it was what God in the flesh said the church was to do. And that has not changed over the years. The message is still the same, baptism is just as important today as it was when the church was first starting.
Don’t allow those who want to simplify the gospel or make it more accessible to the masses cause you to lose sight of the scripture. Instead, follow in the footsteps of the very people who were taught by Christ face to face. Proclam the message of baptism. Or if you have not yet been baptized then please see the need for the act shown throughout scripture and go be baptized in the glorious name of Jesus.
If you need to be baptized but don’t know a local church please reach out to us by emailing [email protected]. We will do all we can to put you in touch with a local church that will baptize you. Have more questions about baptism? Then please feel free to reach out via email or read one of our other articles on the subject.
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