BAPTISM AND THE CONVERSION OF SAUL
Mike Johnson
In Acts 9, we read of the conversion of Saul. Here we learn that Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians when the Lord appeared to him. At this point, he realized that Christ was God’s son (v. 6). Christ then told Saul to go into the city where it would be revealed to him what he must do. Now blind, Saul was led into the city, and did not eat or drink anything for three days. Eventually, Saul met a man appointed by God named Ananias, who healed his blindness and baptized him.
Why was Saul baptized? Consider what Ananias told him in the account found in Acts 22. Verse 16 says he told Saul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” What was the purpose of his baptism? It was to wash away his sins.
Saul’s salvation was not by faith only. Acts 22:16 makes it clear that Saul still had his sins before his baptism. His sins remained, even though he had been praying and fasting for three days, had become a believer, had repented, and was sincere. He had not been baptized, so he still had his sins. Remember, his baptism washed away his sins.
Also, Saul was told by the Lord to “...arise, and go into the city, and it will be told thee what thou must do (KJV).” In the city, he was told to be baptized. Thus, baptism is something that one must do. Hebrews 11:6 tells us one must believe. It is puzzling why people can look at a command, which says that we must do something (such as Hebrews 11:6), and conclude that it is essential to do and even necessary for salvation. Then they go to another command where the word “must” is used, and say that one can obey this command if he wants to, and it is not essential.
The Bible teaches that baptism is essential; it washes away our sins and is undoubtedly necessary for salvation.