Official: something or someone prescribed or recognized as authorized...
Last year I had the opportunity to talk to a group of young Christians. The question was asked how many of them believed they were sinners (condemned to eternal punishment) before they obeyed the gospel of Christ? I was surprised to find that only one of a group of about 15 answered “yes” to the question. I then proceeded to view some scriptures that told of our condition before we become Christians.

1. Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-10 etc... After looking at passages from God’s word only two more would acknowledge that they had previously been sinners before obeying the gospel and was condemned to eternal punishment if they had not. I must tell you I was somewhat shocked to say the least. I must say that further examination and conversation did not convince them that they as well as all men are sinners and in desperate need of a saviour before they become Christians through obedience to the gospel of Christ.

As I thought and continue to think of this discussion, it becomes very apparent that something is seriously wrong when Christians don’t realize their need to be Christians before they become Christians! I would think that this sentiment would be shared by all of us as older Christians. I do not for one moment believe this situation is unique to just this group of teenagers but is common among a vast many others also. I wonder if these as well as so many others thought that when they were “baptized into Christ” they were simply “officially or publicly” making it known that they were Christians instead of making the decision to become Christians?

Many denominations believe and practice that baptism is simply an “outward show of an inward grace”. In other words one is actually saved before baptism and baptism is just a public showing of that already acquired salvation. I wonder if that mentally is present to whatever degree even among Christians? This may very well explain the above situation. The scripture very plainly teach that baptism is essential to salvation.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16

It is however also essential that all those who are baptized understand what the Bible teaches about what baptism means relative to their condition before it occurs and what it means after it occurs. Baptism is but one step a person has to take in order to be saved and along with faith, repentance, and confessing Christ, all are equally essential to obtaining eternal life. The scriptures go on to teach that one must be faithful in order not to to lose that salvation received (Romans 6:1-23; 2 Peter 1:4-10; 1 John 1:6-10). We become alive through Him. But notice that as we are told that we have been made alive, we are also told that we were dead (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:10-13). We must accept all that the scriptures teach regarding becoming a Christians including what we were before that...

“ For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

The blame for this lack of understanding must be laid at our feet as parents, grandparents, etc. We spend so much time being “proud” that we fail to be honest. We spend so much time telling them all how “good” they are we fail to see that no one is so good as to warrant salvation (Matthew 19:17). We must not allow our children to be immersed simply because they want to serve on the Lord’s table, or because other young people have, or because they want to partake of the Lord’s Supper, etc... Their reasons must be just as Biblical as their response. They must obey the gospel because they are sinners and need salvation in order to go to heaven or to avoid hell. If they or you cannot admit that they are not becoming Christians but instead “church of Christ-ers”, which is denominational to its very core!

No one “officially” becomes a Christian; all who obey the gospel of Christ are made Christians by the kindness, mercy and forgiveness of God. All people are either, safe, saved, or lost and it must be determined by the word of God of course, what that condition is or they will be the latter.
http://www.sbschurchofchrist.com/