Baptism Produces A Permanent Change

I have been talking about the Gospel with a co-worker. He said he had never read the Bible before, so I gave him one. He has some religious friends and they in turn have led him to a group that has convinced him baptism is not necessary for salvation. While reading and preparing myself for further discussions with him I found this explanation of baptism, thought I would share it.

The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words.  Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped’ (bapto) into boiling water and then ‘baptised’ (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. ‘He that believes and is baptised shall be saved’. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle!  Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.

His friends have told him baptism is simply an outward display of the belief in Jesus that gives him salvation. I can see the real challenge is to get him to listen more to the scriptures than to his friends. Jesus declared it was necessary to enter the kingdom. (John 3:5) He also commissioned it to be performed. (Matt. 28:19) Peter refers to baptism as something that saves us. (1 Pet 2:21) And Paul wrote to the Romans stating that by baptism we are buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:3-4) Baptism is what pickles us!

There are many more scriptures and examples of conversions to share with someone that is challenged with differing views like this. But the most important point to embrace is these conversations have to reflect the love for a lost soul and not loathing of some false doctrine. Remember It is very hard for someone to feel loved when their being told at Judgment day they could end up being caught in a real pickle.     Bruce B.