In the last two articles, we have identified two main purposes of baptism. First, baptism is for the forgivingness of sins (Acts 2:38). If a person is not baptized, they can’t have forgiveness of sins. Second, baptism is for entrance into the Lord’s church (Acts 2:41). If a person is not baptized, they can’t be a member of Christ’s church. In this article we will identify one more purpose of baptism - to receive the Holy Spirit. Notice a couple of verses:

Acts 2:38 — “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 — “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
Ephesians 1:13 — “In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed , you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise...”
What these verses identify is a receiving of the Holy Spirit at the time

of conversion. When a person puts their faith in Christ and is baptized, they receive the Holy Spirit. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

When a person is baptized many things happen. They are being forgiven of their sins (Acts 2:38). They are being added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:41). They are being given God’s Holy Spirit to dwell within them (Acts 2:38). When you consider the alternative to these things it is eye opening. If a person is not baptized they have not been forgiven. If a person is not baptized they have not been added to the church. If a person is not baptized they have not received God’s Holy Spirit. If a person has not been baptized surely they cannot be a Christian because they don’t have any of these other things!

What about you? Have you been baptized? Do you understand the purpose of baptism? You can become a Christian today by being baptized. You can be forgiven of your sins today by being baptized. You can be added to the Lord’s church today by being baptized. You can receive the Holy Spirit today by being baptized. Will you come to the Lord and put Christ on in baptism?

— Kolton Ballance

In the last article we looked at a number of verses that identified one of the main purposes of baptism - to receive the forgiveness of sins (or be saved). While that is a primary purpose of baptism, there is another purpose identified in the scriptures. Notice a few verses:

1. Acts 2:41 — “So then those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were about added three-thousand souls.”

2. Acts 2:47 — “...And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

3. 1 Corinthians 12:13 — “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...”

What these verses reveal is a baptism that adds you to a body of people who have also given their lives Christ in baptism. This body is called the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18, 24). What these passages reveal is that when a person decides to follow Christ, and is baptized they are added to the church by God. Notice that a person does not join the church, but rather God adds them to the church.

The church that a person is baptized into is a community of people who have all experienced something similar. Each person who has been baptized according to the Bible’s description of baptism becomes a part of something that is perhaps God’s greatest design. Ephesians 3:10-11 Paul said that the manifold wisdom of God was made known to the world through the church, and that the church is God’s eternal purpose through Jesus. Everything that God has done through Jesus was to bring people into this church of Jesus Christ. We gain access to that church through baptism.

Have you been baptized into God’s church? Did God add you to the church, or did you join a church? What was the purpose of your baptism? The Bible identifies that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, and to be added to the Lord’s church. If you have not been baptized, you have not been added to the church of Jesus Christ. If you have not been baptized to be added to Christ’s church, why do you delay? Be baptized today!

— Kolton Ballance

Baptism - What's it for? (Part 3)

Baptism - What's it for? (Part 2)