Believers Baptism: Acts 16:30-34
“30) and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31) They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32) And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33) And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34) And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.” Acts 16:30-34
We discover in this text the biblical teaching of “believers baptism.” The question from the jailer was: “what must I do to be saved?” The answer from Paul and Silas was: “believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.” The clarification was: “and they spoke the word of the Lord to him and all who were in his house.” The end result was: “he was baptized and with all his household.”
The New Testament pattern is that faith in Christ and the gospel always proceeds baptism. Paul made the point that baptism was not part the salvation process in 1 Corinthians 1:14-18. In this text he points out that God called him to preach the gospel and not baptize people lest there be any confusion about what brings salvation.
If you are looking to your infant baptism to save you, you will be eternally mistaken. The practice of infant baptism cannot not be established in the New Testament. Instead we see salvation through personal faith in Christ followed by believers baptism.
I don’t care what your church teaches or practices… diligently study the Bible for yourself! Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Look up everything the New Testament says about the subject of the gospel, salvation and baptism. You will find the practice of believers baptism clearly emerge in the New Testament.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
