ADULT IMMERSION IN WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION, Dan Mayfield

A denominational preacher said the following about baptism that agrees with the Bible and with the teaching in the churches of Christ. "But the simplest things to understand are often the most difficult to put into practice. Let’s start with baptism. In your church setting, baptism may not seem like that big of a deal. Maybe that’s why so many Christians today have never been baptized. But in the early days of the church, baptism was huge. Baptism was an unmistakable act that marked a person as a follower of Jesus Christ. As Jesus died and was buried in the earth, so a Christian is plunged beneath the surface of the water. As Jesus emerged from the tomb in a resurrected body, so a Christian comes out of the waters of baptism as a new creation. When first-century Christians took this step of identifying themselves with the death and resurrection of Jesus, they were publicly declaring their allegiance to Christ. This immediately marked them for martyrdom—all of the hostility that the world felt toward Jesus would now be directed at them. Baptism was a declaration that a person’s life, identity, and priorities were centered on Jesus and His mission. Depending on where you live in the world, you may not see the same reaction to your choice to be baptized, but that act of identifying with Christ is essential, no matter where you live." - Francis Chan I believe Chan errs in important areas, but what he says about baptism is right on. He says you come out of baptism a new creation and that baptism is essential. He does not say it is essential or necessary after you are a new creation; he says at baptism is the point of becoming a new creation. Sinners in the New Testament heard the Gospel and were pricked in their hearts by the message and the repented and were baptized. You may do this too. Infant Baptism will not do because you had no personal sin, you were not lost, you had nothing to repent of, and you did not yet understand and have faith. All of the examples in the Bible are of adults being convicted of their own sinfulness and being moved to obey Jesus Christ. Here are scriptures for your personal investigation on this topic: Acts 2:38; 8:12; 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:11-13; 1 Peter 3:21. Be sure to read these and pray for wisdom. To be saved you must be born again, John 3:3-5. To be saved you must be washed clean of an evil conscience and be forgiven of yours sins. To be saved you must call on God for salvation, Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:21,38. To be saved you must be added to the body of Christ and have the seal of the Holy Spirit. This all accomplished at baptism when obeyed from a heart of faith in the saving grace of God. Please obey the Gospel today. Jesus could return in the next day or hour and you will be shut out, Lk 13:25. Come and obey the Gospel today.