[Sidenote: The remission of sins.]
[Sidenote: Mark 1: 4.]
When John was in the wilderness he preached the "baptism of repentance
for the remission of sins."
[Sidenote: Acts 2: 38.]
"On the day of Pentecost, many persons were convinced that Jesus was
the Christ, and cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter
replied: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ, for the remission of sins."
Here we find the inspired Apostle, after Christ's ascension into
heaven, teaching that baptism is for the remission of sins.
[Sidenote: The case of Paul.]
[Sidenote: Acts 22: 16.]
Paul saw a vision in which he was directed to go to a certain place,
where it should be told him what to do. He did so, and there fasted and
prayed three days. Then the Lord sent to him Ananias, who said, "Arise,
and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." Why did not the Lord remit
Paul's sins through his fasting and prayer? For the reason that He has
instituted baptism for that purpose, and all who desire the blessing of
remission of sins must comply with His law.
[Sidenote: "Inward grace."]
"But," says one, "that doctrine is strange to me; I was always taught
that baptism was an outward sign of an inward grace." No such doctrine
can be sustained by the Scripture. You must be baptized and have your
sins washed away before you are even prepared for the reception of an
"inward grace."
"But Peter tells us," urges the objector, "that baptism is 'not the
putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience towards God.'" And Peter states the truth. Ananias did not
tell Paul to be baptized and wash away "the filth of the flesh," but to
be baptized and wash away his sins.
[Sidenote: Infant baptism.]
[Sidenote: Mark 10: 14.]
Infant baptism is contrary to reason and Scripture; infants are without
sin; "of such is the kingdom of heaven." It is true that the sin of
Adam passed upon all mankind; but Christ took that sin upon Himself and
atoned for it upon the cross. The Bible teaches that the sins for which
men should be baptized are their individual sins, and not the sin they
were born in, for the Lord Jesus atoned for that.
[Sidenote: Forgiveness is the gift of God.]
[Sidenote: Acts 8: 18.]
It will not do to say that baptism remits a man's sins, for that is
the work of the Lord. The "laying on of hands" does not give the Holy
Ghost, for it is the "gift of God." The {152} blowing of rams' horns
did not throw down the walls of Jericho; it was the power of Jehovah.
"Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles' hands the Holy
Ghost was given."