If it was becoming or proper that the Savior, who was without sin, should obey this ordinance, how much more becoming and necessary it is for all mankind, who are in sin, to follow Him and be baptized!
Baptism is one of the ordinances by which persons are admitted into the church of Christ, as shown by the following scriptures:
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2: 41).
"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3: 5).
To be "born of water" one must be baptized in water. Upon another occasion Jesus said,
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16: 16).
In no part of the scripture is it stated that man can be admitted into the church of Christ or be saved without baptism. It is an ordinance binding upon all who have reached the age of accountability.
The words of Jesus to the thief on the cross, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise," (Luke 23: 43), are believed by some to mean that the thief was promised salvation without complying with the ordinance of baptism. The Apostle Peter says Christ, after being "put to death in the flesh," "went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah." (I Peter 3: 18, 19, 20). Three days after His crucifixion, and after He was resurrected, Jesus said to Mary: "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father." (John 20: 17). This proves that Christ did not go to heaven on the day He told the thief he would be with Him in Paradise; if He did not, then it is evident that the thief did not.
THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS.
The baptism of infants is not an ordinance of Christ's church. He never instituted such a practice, and does not require it nor approve of it. Baptism as has been shown, is for the remission of sins, and for admission into the kingdom of God. It must follow faith and repentance. Infants are without sins; they are unable to exercise faith, or to understand repentance. Concerning them Jesus says:
"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD." (Mark 10: 13, 14).