The
blood of Jesus saves us from our sins: the blood was "shed
for many for the remission of sins"
(Matthew 26:28).
What does baptism have to do with the blood?
Peter
preached, "Repent,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"
(Acts 2:38).
Note that the expression "for
remission of sins" is the same as in
Matthew 26:28.
Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sins. How can both be true?
The
answer is in Romans
6:3-4: "Know
ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
This tells us that when we are baptized into Christ we are baptized into
His death. We contact Christ's blood when we obey the gospel and are
baptized into Christ.
What
saves us? The blood of Jesus. How do we avail ourselves of the blood?
Through baptism into Christ. Is baptism a work of our own merit? No. We
simply must submit to the will of God. Now, how can anyone deny the
necessity of baptism?
Other Articles by T. Doy Moyer
Was Jesus Literally Forsaken?
The Problem With Creeds
It Is What It Is