LaVergne Church of Christ |
Baptism - Who? How? Why?
WHO?
Who should be baptized? This question is clearly answered in
the Bible. A quick reading of only a few passages will sufficiently
explain for whom baptism is intended. However, because of man-made
traditions handed down for generations, many people have been
misled on this important matter. The creeds of many denominational
churches teach that baptism is for infants as well as for those
who have an understanding of what they are doing. Such a doctrine
is nowhere found in the Bible. To the contrary, the Bible teaches
that proper subjects for baptism must be capable of doing the
following things:
1) They must be able to believe. Belief is a prerequisite to baptism."He that believeth and is baptized..." Mark 16:16). Since infants cannot believe, they are not subject to baptism.
2) They must be able to repent (that is, turn from sin). Repentance is also a prerequisite to baptism. "Repent and be baptized..." (Acts 2:38) Since infants cannot repent, they are not at all subject to baptism. (And, of course, infants have nothing to repent of anyway!)
3) They must be able to confess their faith in Christ. Confession, like faith and repentance, is a prerequisite to baptism. "Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus..." (Romans 10:9) Since infants cannot confess, they are not subject to baptism. Only those who can believe in Christ, repent of sins, and confess faith in Christ are ready for baptism. In other words, only those who willingly, consciously desire to follow Christ are ready for this important step.
But why should anyone want to baptize babies? It is because of a doctrine known as "Original sin" or "Adamic sin." Many churches teach that babies are born guilty of the "original sin" - the sin of Adam. It is taught that the guilt of this sin has been passed down to the entire human race. Hence, babies are born in sin and need to be baptized.
However, this doctrine is false. In Ezekiel 18:20, the Bible plainly teaches that "the son shall not be the iniquity (or sin) of the Father." Hence, guilt of sin is not passed down from parent to child.
Furthermore, Jesus used little children as an example of righteousness. "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) In addition, Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:16) Little children are free from sin and already fit for heaven and do not need to be baptized.
Many millions of people have been "baptized" when they were babies and are under the impression that their baptism is acceptable to God. All such people need to go to the scriptures and believe what God have plainly taught. Infant baptism, though it is practiced by a great many churches, is a doctrine of man and not of God. The Bible is clear on this point.
HOW?
How a person should be baptized is another question clearly answered
in the Bible. There is only one way Baptism can be scripturally
administered. However, due to false doctrine taught throughout
the denominational world, many folks have been misinformed and
have been "baptized" in ways unknown to the Bible.
Many have been sprinkled for baptism, and others have been poured.
But neither of these practices can be found in the Bible.
The "one baptism" mentioned in the scriptures (Ephesians 4:5) is to be administered by immersion only. This is evident from the definition of the word itself. Baptism is from the Greek root word BAPTO which always means to "dip," "immerse," or "submerge." The renowned Greek scholar Henry Thayer defines "baptism" as: "To dip, dip under, immerse." Lydell and Scott define it, "To dip, dip under." All other Greek scholars give the same definition.
John 3:23 states, "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there..." "Much water" is not needed if one is merely being sprinkle or poured, but it is necessary for immersion.
Acts 8:38,39 reads, "and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him...And when they were come up out of the water..." Here the obvious reference is to baptism by immersion. Any other interpretation of this text is unwarranted.
Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death..." Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism." To bury something means to cover it completely. Likewise, to be baptized in water means to be completely covered by it.
Romans 6:5 "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." To plant something is to put it under. Likewise, when one is scripturally raised with Christ, it is essential to have been buried with him!
The Bible leaves no doubt as to the proper action of baptism. To be "baptized" in any way other than by immersion in unscriptural.
Throughout the world there are millions of people who have been sprinkled or poured thinking they have been scripturally baptized. If you are one of these, you should take a careful look at what the Bible says about the act of baptism. This is too important an issue to take a chance!
WHY?
Why be baptized, anyway? Is it really necessary in order to have
salvation? Again the Bible gives a clear answer. Practically
all denominational churches teach that baptism is not necessary
to salvation, but that it is only a "sign" of being
a Christian. Most people have been taught that they were saved
by "faith only" (before baptism) and that baptism was
an "outward expression" of their salvation. However,
the Bible teaches otherwise. Jesus and the apostles taught that
baptism was essential to one's salvation. The following passages
make this abundantly clear:
1) In Mark 16:16, while giving the great commission, Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." How could the Lord have made it more understandable? Faith+Baptism=Salvation!
2) Jesus declared in John 3:5 "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." To be "born of water" is essential to entering the kingdom of God! However, to be "born" of water means to "come forth" from water, an obvious reference to baptism.
3) On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached to the crowds gathered in Jerusalem. In reponse to their question, "What shall we do?" he said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). For what is baptism intended? It is for the remission of sins! There is no reason for anyone to misunderstand this plain passage!
4) In Acts 22:16 Ananias spoke these words to Saul (who later became the apostle Paul), "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins..." Why be baptized? To have sins washed away.
5) The apostle Paul said, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) People "put on" Christ at baptism - not before! Can anyone be saved out of Christ? No! Hence, when people are scripturally baptized, they are "in" Christ, which is exactly where salvation is found. (2 Timothy 2:10)
6) In 1 Peter 3:21 Peter stated, "The like figure whereunto even baptism both also now save us..." Baptism saves, so states this inspired writer! And he goes on to say, "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God." Baptism is not like the washing of dirt from the body, rather it it is the "answer" (literally, "interrogation" or "seeking out") of a "good conscience." In baptism a person acquires a clear conscience, for he has been forgiven of all his sins!
7) In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commanded baptism! "Go ye, therefore, and teach, all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." The apostles were commanded to baptize. The question is: "Would Christ command something that is unnecessary?"
8) In Acts 10:48 Peter commanded Cornelius and his house to be baptized. "And he commanded them to be baptized..." Again, the question is: "Can a command be considered non-essential?"
It should be noted that after Cornelius was baptized it was said, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:18) This new life (salvation) which they experienced came only after baptism!
CONCLUSION
Baptism is designed only for those who truly understand what
they are doing; those who, in loving obedience, desire to follow
Christ.
Baptism is to be performed by a complete immersion in water. It is a "burial" wherein a person is buried with Christ and raised to walk in a new life.
Baptism is a part of the wonderful plan of salvation designed by God himself. That plan includes faith in Christ (John 3:16), repentance of sins (Acts 17:30), confession of faith in Christ (Romans 10:10), and baptism for the remission of sins, (Acts 2:38).
Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Act 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Ezekiel 18:20 - The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Matthew 18:3 - And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 18:16 - But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
John 3:23 - And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Acts 8:38,39 - And he commanded the chariot
to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and
he went on his way rejoicing.
Romans 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12 - Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Romans 6:5 - For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
John 3:5 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
2 Timothy 2:10 - Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
1 Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..
Acts 10:48 - And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11:18 - When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Acts 17:30 - And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.
Romans 10:10 - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
