The Five Steps Part #5

Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Baptized Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” NIV John 15:9-10 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.” NIV In the Christian world, baptism has become a lightning rod. Baptism is simply the obedience part of the salvation equation. When we hear, believe, repent and confess, baptism is the “now what?” Baptism is the first of many steps of obedience. Baptism is the seal of a covenant that begins to permeate the believer’s life. I was taught many years ago that baptism is like a believer’s wedding ceremony. When I married Julie (my wife), I loved her with all my heart. I loved her the day before the wedding, I loved her when I walked down to the front of the church, but I was not in a covenant relationship with her until we exchanged vows and rings. I was not married to her until the minister pronounced us husband and wife. Today there are many followers who love Jesus. They love Him with all their heart and soul but have not sealed that relationship with the covenant of obedience. They have not been baptized; therefore, they do not have the blessings that come with the covenant. Because Julie and I have entered the covenant relationship of marriage, she carries my name and has all the blessings that come from being my wife. To carry The Name, you must enter that covenant relationship. If you want all the blessings of the covenant, you must obey (including baptism). Baptism alone is not enough. Baptism is just a part of offering yourself to God for His glory. Study the scriptures for yourself. Your salvation is too important to be let up to the teaching of any group. Listen to God, Trust God, and you will be blessed for all eternity.