By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Were those that were baptised by John the Baptist saved?
Answer: Yes, IF they believed that Jesus Christ was to come to die as payment for their sins.
In Romans 4:3, & 5 we have the record that Abraham BELIEVED God that he WOULD keep his promise and send a Saviour.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness (salvation). (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him (Jesus Christ) that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
To keep things simplified WITHOUT further confusion keep this one thing in mind “The baptism of John the Baptist” NEVER GAVE salvation (baptism NEVER saves) – 1 Peter 3:21.
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
John’s baptism was ONLY an “Outward expression of an Declaration” or a Looking Foward to of what was going to take place which was Christ going to the cross – just like when a christian is baptised it is ONLY a testiomony of what HAS ALREADY taken place (Faith Alone in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ) that when Christ came that they WOULD BELIEVE that he was their Messiah (Saviour) BECAUSE that was what John the Baptist preached.
To give support for the above statement let’s take a look at Acts 18:26…
And he (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue (Church): whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded (Declared / Make Known) unto him the way of God (the scriptures) more perfectly.
The word PERFECTLY is the Greek word AKRIBESTERON and it means MORE EXACTLY.
Question: So how did Aquila and Priscilla EXPOUNDED (Ektithemi = Declare/ Make Known) the Way of God (the scriptures) unto Apollos (V24) MORE EXACTLY?
Answer: That Christ HAD come. – John 1:1, 10, & 11
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Apollos ONLY KNEW that the Lord Jesus WOULD COME (Looking Foward to the cross – John 1:7, & 8) and be the “Payment for Sin” UNTIL Aquila and Priscilla gave him a FULL CLEAR understanding of the scriptures (Way of God).
John 1:7-8 The same came for a witness (John the Baptist), to bear witness of the Light (Jesus Christ), that all men through him (Jesus Christ) might believe. (8) He (John the Baptist) was not that Light (Jesus Christ) , but was sent to bear witness of that Light (Jesus Christ).
In Conclusion:
In order to be an EFFECTIVE WITNESS for the Lord “It is Important” that we STUDY the scriptures – 2 Timothy 2:15.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
And just like Apollos we need to learn FROM THOSE that can DECLARE or Expound the Word Of God who can give us a FULL CLEAR (More Exact or Perfect) understanding of God’s Word.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH