Over the past few weeks in the articles posted, I’ve been discussing the important subject of "Baptism." I’ve approached the subject a bit differently than some might have expected, but it was by design. So many people get hung up on the mode of baptism...whether sprinkling and pouring verses the Biblical teaching by immersion, that I wanted to approach the topic first discussing modes and forms and how man seems to have gotten so far off the Biblical track.
Even baptism by immersion if not done in accordance with what Scripture teaches, is essentially of no saving value. It’s worthless, unacceptable to God. So today’s article will attempt to summarize every aspect of the event of baptism and what it means to your eternal salvation.
Baptism is a very controversial subject in the religious world. There is probably no other Biblical theme over which there has been so much disagreement. However, this fact should not discourage you from a thorough study of the matter. Rather, it should encourage you to diligently search the scriptures, and find out just what is taught concerning baptism. Don’t simply accept what you have been taught by your denominational tradition, for it may not conform to the truth of Scripture. Baptism is not to be treated as “close enough” or “good enough”... we must conform to it as a Biblical command exactly and precisely as God has instructed it to be done.
As in all other religious matters, the Bible is the standard of authority. Only the Bible is necessary to determine the true meaning and understanding of baptism. It matters not what some church has declared as its dogma; what some council has decreed; what some creed teaches; or what some theologians or preachers may have said. Churches, councils, creeds, and catechisms have no authority in religious matters. Since they often prove to be unscriptural, contradictory, and unreliable in their teaching, it behooves a serious concerned person to disregard all denominational sources, manuals, guides, etc., and seek the Bible’s answer to all your questions about baptism.
The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the only authority in religion. It is the manifesto of God’s authority in all matters. A thing is right if the Bible commands it; it is wrong or irrelevant if it does not. Much of the controversy on the subject of baptism is the result of following tradition, creeds, and human opinions rather than the authoritative Word of God.
Okay then, let’s ask this question, "What does the Bible teach on the subject of baptism?"
The Bible teaches that baptism is a command of God which mankind must obey. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “...Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”... So we see that Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize those whom they taught. In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus said, He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." In this familiar passage, Jesus connects the preaching of the gospel with faith and baptism and no one can preach the gospel acceptably who does not urge sinners to be baptized. In Acts chapter 2, Peter, speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38). So we learn that the Holy Spirit commanded penitent believers to be baptized. When Peter preached the gospel to the house of Cornelius "he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). To deny, then, that baptism is a command of God is to deny the plain statements of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15). If we truly love the Lord, we will obey the command to be baptized as well as all other commands. A refusal to be baptized, on the part of the sinner, shows that he neither loves Christ nor believes in Him.
The Bible also gives an answer to the question, "Who can receive baptism?" This phase of our subject is much controverted, there being some who teach infant baptism, yet there is absolutely no example of infant baptism in the Bible; nor is there a single verse that teaches such. History reveals that infant baptism was introduced long after the Bible was written. The Bible clearly reveals who is an acceptable candidate of baptism. Before one is baptized, one must be taught the gospel. "Go teach all nations, baptizing them" said Jesus.
Infants are not subjects for baptism because the gospel cannot be taught to them. An acceptable candidate for baptism is one who has the mental capacity to make an informed studied decision to believe in Jesus Christ. Belief is the foundation for Faith. "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved," so states our Lord. Faith ALWAYS, ALWAYS, precedes baptism.
When the eunuch desired baptism, Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37). Upon this confession of his faith, Philip baptized him. Only repentant believers should be baptized according to Scripture, because baptism is an act of faith that demonstrates trust in the crucified Christ. As is clearly obvious, one must repent before being baptized. Of what can an infant repent; having committed no sin. Who can be Scripturally baptized? One who has been taught, becomes a believer and repents.
The Bible also gives an answer to the question, "How is baptism administered?" Some people say sprinkling and/or pouring are acceptable modes of baptism. While others believe immersion is the only Scriptural authorized mode. There is no example of sprinkling or pouring water over another for baptism in the Bible; nor is there any Scripture which authorizes such a practice. Immersion is the only God approved and authorized mode of baptism. The word "baptize" means "to immerse," "to submerge," "to plunge," "to dip." It NEVER means sprinkling or pouring. When Jesus was baptized, he came to the Jordan River, he was baptized, and he came up out of the water (Matthew 3:13-17). This plainly shows that Jesus was immersed and that baptism, in Christ's day, was an immersion [like burial] of the whole body beneath the water surface. When Philip baptized the Ethiopian, they both went down into the water, Philip baptized him and they both came up our of the water (Acts 8:38-39). This proves that the person, guided by the Holy Spirit, always administered baptism by immersion. In Romans 6:4, Paul says, "We are buried with Him by baptism into [His] death."
So, baptism is a symbolic burial, an immersion in water. Paul goes on in these verses to show that baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Only immersion could do this; sprinkling could never picture a burial and resurrection. What is the action of baptism? It is like a burial. It requires water; much water (John 3:23); coming to the water (Acts 8:36); going into the water (Acts 8:38); being buried beneath the water (Colossians 2:12); being raised (Romans 6:4); and coming up out of the water (Mark 1:10).
The Bible, furthermore, gives an answer to the question, "Why should one be baptized?" Some say that baptism is not essential and that we can be saved just as well without it as we can with it. Others teach that baptism is nothing more than a religious ritual, an outward sign of an inward change [of heart]. Others say that is is administered to people who are already saved in order that they might be brought formally into the fellowship of the church.
What does the Bible say on the design of baptism? Scripture teaches that baptism is a “condition” of salvation. One cannot be saved without being immersed in water for the remission of sins. In Mark 16:16, Jesus says, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved." That verse should settle the matter. He did not say, "Whoever believes and is saved should be baptized." He did not say, "Whoever believes and is not baptized shall be saved." In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter said, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you..."
Baptism is always mentioned before salvation; it is never mentioned after salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter said, "Repent and be baptized.. for the remission [forgiveness] of sins." Not because our sins are already forgiven, but, as one translation states it, "in order to have your sins forgiven." Surely, the sinner does not receive forgiveness of sins until he is baptized! When Ananias encountered the believing, penitent Saul of Tarsus, he said, "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (Acts 22:16). So, baptism is connected with the washing away of sins and the calling on the name of the Lord. In Galatians 3:26-27, Paul says, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." So baptism, upon a confession of faith, puts one "into Christ."
Salvation and all spiritual blessings are in Christ, and, since baptism puts one into Christ, those blessings are not ours until we are baptized. Listen again to Paul in Romans 6:3-4, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
This important passage teaches: First, that we are baptized into Jesus Christ. Second, we are baptized into the death of Christ. It is the death of Christ which saves, and baptism relates to that death and puts us into its eternal benefits. In other words, baptism, by faith, brings us to the blood of Christ. When the sinner comes seeking baptism, he is trusting Christ, not his own works... it is the blood [of Christ], not the water that saves.
Baptism, authenticated by one’s faith, saves a person because it [baptism] brings him symbolically to that which does save, the blood of Jesus Christ. Third, this passage teaches that when we are raised from the grave of baptism, we are raised to "walk in newness of life." The new life begins when we are baptized, not before. Those who teach that it begins before baptism are wrong, if we are to trust the “authority” of these Scriptures. God has placed access to the “blood of Christ” that saves... in the waters of baptism. It’s that simple. Don’t make it more complicated. Accept it as it is Biblically taught to us.
Briefly reviewing the importance of Baptism... we know it is a clearly and repeatedly stated command of God. Based on the Authority of Scripture, we know that it is administered only to believers who have repented. We have learned that it is administered only by complete immersion in water, not by any other mode such as sprinkling or pouring. Most importantly, baptism is a condition of salvation with which we must comply if we would have God forgive us of our sins and enjoy the newness of life that is found only in Christ Jesus. This is what God teaches to us through His Holy Word the Bible.
Are you a Christian? Have you put your faith in the Christ of Calvary? Have you repented of all your past sins? Have you confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Have you been baptized, completely immersed in water, for the remission of your sins? If not, I earnestly plead with you to do exactly what the Bible commands and be saved by the blood of Christ. There is no other “God approved way” to gain a right and blessed relationship with Him.
Begin living for Christ, through your own baptism into Christ. Accept His grace and mercy. Begin that life that will prepare you to be with Him for eternity.
May the grace of God go with you in your search for His Truth.
