“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement (Heb 9:27).” In God’s time, we will all face judgement. The good news is that “Jesus Christ was delivered up [crucified] because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification (Rom 4:23-25; Acts 17:30-31).” This is the gospel preached by the apostles (1Cor 15:1-4): “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day.”
The gospel was first preached by Peter to the crowd on the Day of Pentecost (Act 2:29-41). They were cut in the heart and asked, “what shall we do?” Peter commanded them (v.38) to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Peter also exhorted them (v.40), saying “Be saved from this perverse generation.” In response, “Those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them (v.41).” There are only two possible reactions when the gospel is preached (Mark 16:16). He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
The eight recorded conversions in the Book of Acts involved baptism as an immediate response to hearing and believing the gospel. The Jews on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37-41) were pricked in the heart; they repented and were baptized. The Samaritans (Acts 8:4-12) believed and were baptized. The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:35-39) believed with all his heart and said [confessed] that “Jesus is the Son of God” and he was baptized. Cornelius (Acts 10:1-2, 43, 47-48) believed and was baptized. In Acts 16:13-15, Lydia heeded [responded] to the things spoken by Paul and was baptized. The Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-33) asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. The jailer believed and was baptized. The men (about twelve) whom Paul taught the baptism of forgiveness (Acts 19:1-7) believed on Christ Jesus and were baptized.
We have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14). But we are saved in baptism; it is required as an act of faith (Col 2:12), not a work. It is an answer of a good conscience toward God (1Pet 3:21). We are not saved until we are buried with Christ Jesus into death and raised with Him in baptism (Col 2:13; Rom 6:3-6). Our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin may be done away with.
One must be baptized into Christ to be in the kingdom of God (John 3:1-6; Rom 6:3-4). In baptism one is buried in water, then emerges from it, and thereby born of water. “Being born” is to “come out of.” The word of God states clearly that it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6). If one believes the gospel and is baptized, he is saved (Mark 16:15-16). Those saved are added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47) and are conveyed into the Kingdom of His Son (Col 1:13).
The process of making disciples, according to the command in Mathew 28:18-20, involves the completion of two processes: “baptizing them” and “teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.” Baptism and a commitment to obey every command of Christ take place at the same time.
Knowledge, Integrity and Stewardship 