THE GRACE OF GOD DEMANDS BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

William Woodson

 

The relationship between the grace of God and man’s obedience, especially in reference to baptism, has been the occasion of much discussion and controversy. In days of the remote past, prior to World War II, this was more frequently the case so far as public debating is concerned, but the same disagreement is present now, though not so widely discussed in the public arena. Surprisingly, there has arisen among us a group which while holding the view that baptism is taught in the Bible, hesitates to indicate its essentiality as an act of necessary obedience in order to salvation, affirming the essentiality of grace and reducing the essentiality of baptism thereby.

In this article, attention will be called to the connection between the grace of God, the essentiality of baptism, and proper respect for the name of Jesus Christ.

 

In our Being Saved, God’s Grace is Conditional.

 

In the sense of God’s grace supplying the upholding of the world, the maintaining of the universe, etc., there is no indication that man is to be involved in this provision of God’s grace. Man is not intrinsically and necessarily involved in the rising or setting of the sun, the changing of the seasons, the sending of rain, the end of the world, etc. But, in the attaining of salvation from the sins one has committed, man’s compliance with God’s will, taught in the Bible, is essential. If this is not the case, one’s reasoning against the universal salvation of all men, regardless of faith or obedience to God, is without merit and all men, sinners and saints will be saved by God’s grace.

Those who deny the necessity of baptism as essential, nevertheless, in rejecting the necessity of baptism, insist that God’s grace necessitates man’s compliance with God’s will in certain particulars. For example, these advocates of unconditional grace in reference to baptism maintain the necessity of faith in God, repentance from sin, and confession of faith in order to salvation. When pressed for the reason for such insistence, the reply will be that these matters are taught in God’s word. In this, such advocates are exactly correct. Faith is taught in such passages as Hebrews 11:6 and John 8:24. Repentance is taught in such passages as Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, and 2 Peter 3:9. Confession of faith is taught in such passages as Romans 10:9-10 and 1 Timothy 6:12. In light of these and similar verses, it would be folly to state that God’s grace will or does exempt the sinner from compliance with these conditions of salvation. There is agreement, then, that God’s grace, in our salvation, is conditional on faith, repentance, and confession since these acts of obedience are clearly taught in the Bible.

 

The Name of Christ Guides Man’s Response to God

 

Those who obey Christ are the ones to whom Christ is the author of salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). To this, there can be no denial without the clear repudiation of the word of the Bible. How, then, is one to know the way of obedience? Among other Bible expressions which show the necessity of obedience, we call attention to the significance of the name of Christ.

The plain import of doing a certain thing in the name of the Lord is to do that thing by his command and authority. The officer who states that the suspect is to open a door “in the name of the law” means to be and is understood to be declaring the authority of the law to oblige compliance with the order given. Numerous examples of this fact could be cited from Bible verses, but the point is obvious and clear.

In light of this fact concerning the name, reflect carefully on the significance of two verses which show clearly the necessity of following the will of Christ. Jesus stated, “Neither knoweth any man the Father, save he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him” (Matt. 11:27). Also, Christ declared, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). One, then, who would be at peace with God must come to comply with the will of Jesus Christ, the Lord, the Son of God, the Savior, the Head of the church, the One through whom the judgment of God will be rendered.

 

Baptism Is in the Name of Christ

 

In light of the previously noted facts, the significance of the name of Christ in reference to baptism is the key in noting the fact that baptism is demanded by the grace of God. In a general way, one might observe that baptism is demanded by the grace of God. By the same means by which one concludes that faith, repentance, and confession are demanded, one must also conclude that baptism is demanded. This means is the evident truth that the Bible so teaches. (To be saved, men must honor this truth.)

One clear instance of this fact concerning baptism is that in the conversion of the 3,000 on Pentecost. On this day Peter stated to those who asked what to do, “repent and be baptized every one of you in (epi) the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 3:38). The Greek word epi, translated in the KJV as “in,” is stated by Thayer (p. 232) to mean, “that upon which any action, effect, condition, rests as a basis or support; properly upon the ground of … so as to repose your hope and confidence in his Messianic authority.” Thayer cites Acts 2:38 as an instance of this meaning.

It is clear, then, that in the reception of the grace of God in order to salvation, baptism, as well as faith, repentance, and confession, must be submitted to in order to be saved. The authority of Jesus set forth the necessity of baptism, and this authority is obeyed in being baptized. Thereby, God’s grace avails to the saving of the sinner, and one can see that the reception of baptism does not set aside but rather is the culminating act whereby God’s grace avails in becoming a child of God.