About forty years ago, our nation went through a period of rebellion against all forms of authority. The authority of the Government, the authority of the police, schools, and parents, were challenged and called into question by many. Along with these, the authority of Christ and His word were also challenged.

     In contrast, today, there seems to be a revival of interest in things spiritual.  People are renewing their interest in religion, Christ and the Bible. Yet many are interested in Christ without baptism. They say, “The problem with you people in the church of Christ is that you are all wrapped up in baptism. Just preach Christ and not baptism.” The question is “Can we have Christ without baptism?”

     In Acts 2, we have the first gospel sermon preached by the apostles after the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Peter and the rest of the apostles preached “Christ”. Peter said, "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death..... Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ- this Jesus whom you crucified" (Acts 2:22-36). In this speech, Peter presented several lines of arguments proving that Jesus was indeed a Man approved of God, and that He was indeed Lord and Christ. He preached Jesus.

     But I want you to notice what followed. His speech had its desired impact on his audience. “Now when they heard, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37). They were now convinced that they had crucified the Christ (Messiah) they had been looking for. Now I want you to notice very closely what Peter told them in answer to their question, “What shall we do?” “ And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). Peter had been preaching “Christ”, and in preaching Christ, he also preached baptism. Now notice what the people did. “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). In preaching Christ, Peter also preached baptism. And those, who who received his word about Jesus Christ, were baptized.

     Let us consider another example of preaching Christ. In Acts 8, we read of the preaching done by Philip. “And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaiming Christ to them” (Acts 8:5). Notice what Philip preached. He proclaimed “Christ to them.” What was the result of him preaching Christ to the Samaritans? “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.” (Acts 8:12). When Philip preached Christ, he evidently also preached baptism, for why would they seek baptism if all Philip did was to preach Christ?

     Also, in the city of Samaria, there was a sorcerer named Simon. Notice what happened to him when he heard Philip preaching “Christ to them.” “And even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip; and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.” (Acts 8:13). Philip went to Samaria and preached “Christ to them”, and in preaching Christ to them, they were baptized. Baptism seems to have been a part of “preaching Christ.”

     After this, Philip was told by an angel to go to the road that leads from Jerusalem toward Gaza. There, he met an eunuch from Ethiopia who was returning to his own country. While traveling in his chariot, he was reading from Isaiah 53. Philip ran to him and asked him if he understood what he was reading. To which the eunuch replied, "’Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:31). Next we are told that “Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35). I want you to notice closely that Philip was once again preaching “Jesus to him.” What happened when Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch from Ethiopia? “And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’” (Acts 8:36). How could the eunuch know of any need to be baptized if all Philip did was to preach Christ to him? Evidently, in the first century, preaching baptism was a part of preaching Christ.

     But let us now consider the preaching of Paul while he in the city of Corinth. When Paul wrote his first epistle to the church in Corinth, he reminded them of his preaching while he was with them. “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). What did Paul proclaim to the Corinthians? “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” He preached Christ. Well, what happened when Paul preached Christ in the city of Corinth? “And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized” (Acts 18:8). Paul preached nothing among them but Christ and Him crucified. But we read that when the Corinthians believe his preaching about Christ, they were baptized.

     My point is this: Friend, if one is going to preach Christ today as did Peter, Philip and Paul, he will preach baptism. Baptism was a part of the gospel that was preached in the first century. In fact, Jesus commanded his apostles, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). When one preaches the gospel as Christ wants it preached, he will preach baptism.

     Do you believe the gospel of Christ as did the multitude in Jerusalem, the Samaritans, Simon, the Ethiopian eunuch, Crispus, his household, and many of the Corinthians? Then will you not do as did those believers in Christ in the first century? Will you not be baptized?

     But you may ask, “Why?” Jesus said, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Do you want to be saved? Then do as Jesus said. Peter said, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). Do you want the remission of your sins? Then do as Peter said. If we can assist you in your obedience to the gospel of Christ, please contact us.