Where In The Bible Will I Find:

The Transitory Nature Of Baptism?

There has never been any controversy among Bible scholars over baptism being transitory in its working. Baptism is recognized as changing the state and relationship of the one baptized. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:26-27). This clearly reveals that one is baptized INTO Christ, which means that one is OUT of Christ until he is baptized INTO Him, That is transition!

Yes, it is by faith that we become children of God - but not by faith only. Faith does not change the state and relationship by itself. "...the devils also believe, and tremble ... Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:19, 24). There must be sufficient faith to lead one to accept Christ and His teaching as to the place of baptism: "Into Christ." Paul emphasized it again: "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" (Rom. 6:3-4).

We were OUT of Christ and separated from His death until we were baptized INTO Christ and INTO His death, to reach the cleansing blood which was shed there. "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12). But then came the transition: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in you mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Col. 1:21).

Having been baptized into Jesus Christ, they had now found "...redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins..." (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). And as they were now IN Christ, they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, Eph. 1:13), and had access to every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3). But notice that all these spiritual blessings are IN Christ, and not one of them could be obtained OUTSIDE of Christ. To enjoy ALL Spiritual blessings, one must be IN Christ and the ONLY way to be IN Christ is to be baptized INTO Him (Gal. 3:27). The apostle Paul tells us through his first letter to Timothy that even GRACE, FAITH, and LOVE is IN Christ Jesus: "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 1:14). Through hearing the Word of God, believing it, repenting of all sins, confessing Christ, and then being immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins, will put one IN Christ where ALL spiritual blessings can be enjoyed.