Well, concerning baptism, the Bible mentions it, defines it, gives examples of it, tells what it’s for, tells what it does, tells us how many baptisms there are, and gives us very good evidence as to which one the one baptism is. But in Acts 19, verses 1 to 6, there is something very important. Someone says, “Well now, I’ve been baptized and even been immersed. Maybe it wasn’t for the remission of sins, but what difference does it make?” It must make a difference! If you could be shown a Bible passage where men had been baptized, even by immersion, but that that baptism was not right, that something was lacking, and, regardless of what was lacking, wouldn’t that convince you that it’s very important not only whether or not we’re baptized, but how we’re baptized and for what purpose we’re baptized? In Acts 19, verses 1 through 6, those men from Ephesus had been baptized. Now whatever was lacking, the principle is it does make a difference why and it does make a difference how, and for what reason we’re baptized. So there’s only one right one!

I’ve often thought, “Wouldn’t it be sad to go to the judgment thinking all is well, and really looking forward to being with the Lord eternally, and for the Lord on that occasion to say, ‘George, you missed it!’”

“What?!” I’d say.

And the Lord would say, “You missed it! I told you it was…this way!”

Human reasoning didn’t go along with what the Lord told me. It looks sensible to do it some other way, but that’s not what the Lord said!

And you know, on that judgment day, what a day of surprise it’s going to be! What a day of surprise!! We might be surprised some people made it [into Heaven] that we didn’t think would! We might be surprised some of us didn’t make it, and we were pretty sure we would! But Matthew 7:21 to 23 tells us it’s doing to be a day of surprises. How many people are going to that judgment day thinking all along that everything is all right and taking everything for granted. Then, what would you do if the Lord said, “I’m sorry, you missed it!” Well, you could scream, but that wouldn’t do any good! You could cry, but that wouldn’t do any good! You could pull your hair—that wouldn’t do any good! You could say, “It’s unfair!” but that wouldn’t do any good! No amount of reasoning or talk would do any good! The Lord has given us that pattern, according to 2 Timothy 1:13 and Hebrews 8:5. He’s given us that pattern! That is our standard! And some day, by that pattern, we’re going to be judged, John 12:48.

So if you really want to go to Heaven, and you don’t want to take any chances, and you want to make sure of that calling, 2 Peter 1:10, and you have proved these things, 1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, and 2 Corinthians 13:5, then, beloved, let me ask you: If it does matter whether or not, and it does matter for what or why one is to be baptized, don’t you think that we ought to give very serious thought to it?

Now, you say, “That’s over playing it!” No, that’s God’s Word! “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous,” Matthew 21:42. It is marvelous! Any arrangement God makes is marvelous! Don’t question it! You can’t improve upon it! And, remember, in Matthew 7:21 to 23, the Lord will say, “ 'color:black'>Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the Will of My Father Which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”

The Lord will say….? There will be no higher court to which you can appeal; there will be no further review of the case when the Lord says, “Depart from Me,” the Judge. In John 5:27, the Bible says that God isn’t going to judge, but He committed that judgment to His Son, and He is going to be our Judge. Jesus is our Attorney now, 1 John 2:1 and following, but He’ll be our Judge then. And for the Lord to say, “Depart from Me,”— I’ll tell you, beloved, that’s it!

There are going to be two extremes on that occasion of judgment. You’re not going to see someone over here with a half smile and someone over there with a little frown. No, you’re going to have two extremes. I’m going to be in one of those extremes, and you’re going to be in one of those extremes. Everybody will be in one of those extremes. You’re going to hear people shouting the hallelujah chorus…they made it! Or you’re going to hear people screaming and gnashing their teeth. And the things that we thought didn’t make any difference on earth will be the difference between Heaven and Hell in the world to come. It does make a difference when the Lord speaks—it always makes a difference.

Well, does the Lord say who should be baptized? Oh yes! We’re told in Matthew 28:19 and 20 that there should be some “teaching.” And we’re told in John 6:44 and 45 that the teaching is through that Word, and through that Word, we’re “drawn” to God. And it’s through that Word we are born again, 1 Peter 1:21 to 23. Well then, that Word must be taught. And then, Mark 16:16 says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”

Now, an infant isn’t capable of believing. An infant isn’t capable of reasoning. We have no example anywhere in all the New Testament of infant baptism. There must be a reason! You see, in the first place, the innocent infant is not guilty of sin. Sin is a transgression of the law. Only those who are sinners need to be baptized. When Christ was baptized, no wonder John hesitated. Christ wasn’t a sinner! But He took His place among the sinners in being baptized, that sinners, in being baptized, might take their place with Christ. And when Christ was baptized (He didn’t need to be because He had no sins), He took our place. He set the example. Had He not been baptized, He wouldn’t have “fulfilled all righteousness,” Matthew 3:15. And furthermore, He wouldn’t have been obedient, because the Lord taught that baptism is a part of what He asks, Acts 10, verse 48 and Matthew 28, verses 19 and 20.