Bible Studies
Relevant Truth Project, Article #4: Doctrine of Baptisms
The doctrine of Baptisms is one covering a broad spectrum of history. It is referred to seven distinct times throughout the Bible, four of which pertain directly to New Testament believers:
1/ OT: The ancient Israelites were “baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” Exodus 13:21-22; 14:21-22, 29; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2.
2/ OT: People of Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan were baptized of him [John the Baptist] in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:1-6; Luke 7:24-29. This is the water baptism that Jesus partook of. Mark 1:9-10; Matthew 3:13-17.
3/ OT: Christ’s baptism in water which was carried out, not by Jesus Himself, but by His disciples: John 3:22-26; 4:1-3.
4/ OT and NT: Baptism in suffering by Christ while still in the OT, before and during His crucifixion, and believers of the NT persecuted and martyred for their faith. Luke 12:50; Matthew 20:20-23.
5/ NT: Baptism into Christ, and into His body. Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12: 13; Galatians 3:27.
6/ NT: Baptism by Christians in water. Matthew 28: 18-19; Acts 18:8; 19; 4-5;
7/ NT: Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1; 6-8; Acts 2:1-18; 11:16.
Of the four baptisms which pertain to NT believers, there is only one that is absolutely necessary for salvation; the baptism into the body of Christ, the universal Church. Of this we will speak in more detail later.
Many believe that water baptism is essential for salvation based on what Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved…” However, they seem to leave out the rest of the verse which says, “…but he that believes not shall be damned.”
Notice Jesus did not say “he that believes not and is not baptized shall be damned.” In other words, what Jesus did not say is just as important as what He did say. The two parts of the statement (the first part mentioning baptism and the second part leaving it out),both agree totally with the scriptural teaching on water baptism. It is he “that believes not” who shall be damned, not he who believes not and is not baptized.
Nowhere in the Bible can we find scriptures that say anyone (let alone everyone) must be water baptized to become a Christian, but over and over we find scriptures demanding faith in the redemptive work and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To believe that God requires a human agent (which is used in the process of water baptism), to do a work (of baptizing someone) that they can be saved, completely does away with the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) It also negates the Bible doctrine that salvation is a “free gift.” (Romans 5:15 – 18) As a prime example, the thief on the cross beside our Lord could in no way be water baptized, yet Jesus said to him, “Today shall you be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Since the Bible clearly tells us that “…God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34, Colossians 3:25) we conclude that Jesus made no special concessions for the thief on the cross, but accepted Him because of his faith.
We make special note of this, not to imply that those who believe water baptism is essential to salvation are necessarily unsaved. It is God who knows and judges the human heart. Yet there are many who believe once they are baptized, everything is fine and dandy and salvation is guaranteed no matter how committed, or uncommitted they are to Jesus. Such misplaced belief works to create a mental state resulting in two unfortunate things:
1/ A tendency to not believe the Word of God.
2/ No fear of God.
The consequence, is a drawing further and further away from the truth and reality of salvation.
Sadly, this misplaced belief is rampant among those who were “water baptized” as infants. Many such people can even be dedicated church goers, but have no living relationship with Jesus, and are still dead in trespasses and sins.
There is no recorded New Testament water baptism by members of the Church, in the Bible, that occurred before one believed in the Lord Jesus. You can check them out in the book of Acts:
2:38-40 – Peter had just preached Jesus to a crowd of unbelievers who were “pricked” (Greek - pierced thoroughly, agitated), or convicted that what he declared was true, relevant and something they needed. He went on and called them to repent and be baptized. Then, in verse 40 we notice it was after they gladly received his word that they were baptized. In other words, they had received the truth of the gospel, been born again by faith, and then went for the baptism.
8:12 – Philip preached the gospel and when (after) those who heard believed, they were baptized.
8:35-37 – Philip preached the gospel to a eunuch from Ethiopia. When the eunuch asked Philip if he could be baptized in water the answer was, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch responded, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (v37) After this confession of faith Philip baptized the eunuch.
10:44-48 – Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius and his household who believed and received by faith. This is evident, because they received the Holy Spirit. Such a thing would never happen to unbelievers. It was after this they were water baptized. (v47-48)
16:14-15 – Paul spoke to a woman named Lydia who worshipped God and who attended (Greek – to hold the mind towards) unto the words of Paul. Then she and her household (who also were in attendance and who also must have believed) were baptized.
16:30-33 – Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching the gospel. The jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” The response was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.” (v31) Notice they did not say believe, and be baptized…only believe. It was after they spoke the word of the Lord to them and the jailer’s household that they were baptized.
18:8 – It was after many of the Corinthians believed that they were baptized.
19:1-5 – Paul asked some disciples in Ephesus whether or not they had received the Holy Spirit, “since you have believed? (v2) He was speaking to believers. After explaining a few things he then baptized them.
We can be certain these men of God knew what they were doing, and would not baptize anyone before they confessed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor would they ever imply or demand anyone had to be baptized in water in order to be saved. In fact, when we look at the message of Paul to the Jews at Antioch we see the point of every one of his messages: “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13: 38-39)
One scripture which appears to support water baptism as essentially occurring before repentance is Matthew 3:11 where John the Baptist declares, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance…” which sounds like one must be baptized before repenting. However, the word “unto” here in the Greek is “eis” which in simple terms means, “because of, by reason of, on account of.” In other words, John is saying “I indeed baptize you with water because of, by reason of, on account of, repentance” that has previously taken place.
Actually, even though one may not look into the ancient languages to discover truth, it should be evident by the overwhelming proof of other plain scriptures that this verse must not be implying baptism is essential to repent and obtain salvation.
What then is water baptism, and how important is it?
Peter does a fine job of explaining this in 1 Peter 3:21, “There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” (NKJV)
The word “antitype” means something that is represented figuratively, so water baptism is a type or figurative representation of something else. It is strictly a symbolic gesture of faith in two things:
1 - The death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 - The death and burial of one’s old sinful life, and resurrection to a new life in Christ of the one who has accepted Him as Saviour.
Peter goes on to emphasize it (water baptism) cannot remove the filth of the flesh (carnal nature and moral degradation) of man. Only faith in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ can remove the filth of the flesh. Furthermore, he states it (water baptism) is the “answer” or response of a good conscience toward God. Such a conscience can only exist after one is born again.
A mere figure has no power to save anyone. It is the reality of what the figure represents, (faith In Jesus Christ according to the gospel), that has power to save.
In article 5 we will continue with this teaching of Christ’s doctrine of baptisms, and refer to the baptism into Christ.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 526 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by John Blain or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 526 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.