The Jews on Pentecost asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" What did Peter say? "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins"(Acts 2:37-38).
Many denominational preachers present beautiful sermons to which I give a hearty "Amen!" Yet when asking their audiences to become Christians, they answer "Accept Christ into your heart and pray this prayer." What about baptism?
Didn't Peter say it "now saves us"(1 Pet 3:21)? Didn't Paul do it to "wash away (his) sins"(Acts 22:16)? Peter preached to Cornelius and his friends, then "commanded them to be baptized"(Acts 10:48). Didn't Jesus say, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved"(Mark 16:16)? Weren't people baptized to become Christians in New Testament times (Acts 2:41, 47; 8:12-13, 26-39; 10:34-48; 16:14-15, 25-34; 19:1-5)? What about baptism?
If baptism made one a Christian in New Testament times, it can do so today when combined with the confession of a penitent believer. Do you believe in Jesus? Then I pray you'll do what He says! Remember His words: "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God"(John 3:5).___Jacob Hudgins