“At Thy Word I Will”
Glendol McClure

Recently, I received an E-mail message from a man alleging and arguing that water baptism is not necessary for salvation. In his opening remarks this man wrote, “Baptism is not in the saving gospel which is recorded John 5:24, and Corinthians 15:1-5. Notice that these scriptures and like the other scriptures that tells us of how people are saved that there is no mention of any baptism. If baptism is important then why is it not mentioned in the scriptures I mentioned?”

When folks deny plain words of truth found in the Bible regarding the “one baptism” I am reminded of the statement made by Peter, recorded in Luke 5:5. When Jesus told Peter, the fisherman, to “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (vs. 4), Peter’s first reaction was to question the words of the Master. Peter said, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” Upon believing the words of Jesus, and letting down the net (obeying), the results were astounding. The amount of fish caught was such that the net broke and both ships were so full with the catch that they begin to sink. At the sight of this, Peter fell down and replied, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (vs. 8).

When we consider the statement of Jesus in John 5:24, one should be caused to ask what "word" Jesus refers to when He says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Do you suppose the words, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16), are words of Jesus we are to hear and obey? Who is it that “hath everlasting life"? Is it the one who hears Jesus’ words with the attitude in heart of, “at thy word I will,” then obeys His words?

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-5, we do not find the word “baptism” mentioned. Because “baptism” is not mentioned in this passage, is the necessity of baptism “for the remission of sins” excluded? NO! Notice what is recorded in Acts 18:8 concerning the Corinthians, “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” How interesting to find baptism mentioned here. The Corinthians had the “at thy word I will” attitude of faith as opposed to a “faith without works is dead” type of “faith” when they heard the gospel preached and were baptized (Jas. 2:14-26).

How wonderful it would be if folks would cease arguing with plain Bible passages that teach the necessity of water baptism “for the remission of sins,” and have the “at thy word I will” attitude of faith like Peter when plain Bible passages such as Acts 2:38; Mark16:15, 16; Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27;  Colossians 2:12 and 1 Peter 3:21 are presented!