BAPTISM: What Bible baptism is and what the Bible says it does
Perhaps, one of the most controversial subjects in the entire religious world today in regards to salvation is the subject of baptism. Some will try to minimize baptism, while others will overemphasize it and place more attention on it than any other area needed for an individual to be saved. It is extremely important that we take a balanced approach with this subject, as well as all other Bible subjects. In this article, we want to address three specific questions: (1) What is baptism? (2) Who should be baptized? (3) What are some common misconceptions concerning baptism?
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Did you know that there is more than one baptism that is taught in the religious world? Some will teach that sprinkling is acceptable, while others teach pouring is permissible. Then, there are others who teach an immersion—a burial—in water is the acceptable means of baptism. Yet, is this simply a matter of one’s personal preference or choice? The question that we need to ponder is, “What does the Bible say about baptism?” According to the scriptures, the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is a burial (cf. Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3-4). Another passage to confirm this thought is found in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8: “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” (Acts 8:38). If sprinkling or pouring were an acceptable means of baptism, then surely Philip would have offered this to him. However, much water was required—a burial (cf. John 3:23).
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
The book of Acts has been given several different names through the years. Some have described it as a book of history, because it records the history of the church; some have described it as the “Acts of the Apostles,” because it shares with us vital information into the ministries of Peter and Paul, and others have described it as the “Acts of Conversions.” For the sake of the question listed above, the last point is the one under consideration. Acts records for us people who have heard the word of God, believed that message, repented of their sins, and were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:22-47, 8:5-39, 9:1-18, 10:1-48, 16:25-34). This is the same type of people who are to be baptized today. Only when a person meets these conditions are they ready to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38).
WHY SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
It is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). “Remission” is a word that means “a dismissal, or a release.” Generally, when we think about the word “remission,” we associate it with cancer; we might say, “That person is in remission,” which means that the cancer has been released from the body. Spiritually, the worst disease that a person has is the disease of sin (cf. Rom. 6:23). However, our sins can be dismissed from our soul.
It is essential to salvation (1 Pet. 3:21). Consider the words of Jesus in Mark’s account of the Great Commission: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Unfortunately, many in our religious world believe that baptism has nothing to do with one’s salvation. Many believe this because Jesus did not use baptism in the second part of the verse. However, it would be similar to someone saying, “He that eateth and swalloweth his food shall digest it; but he that does not eat will not be healthy.” In other words, if a person does not swallow, then is there any need to talk about digestion any further? Moreover, what if Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall receive one million dollars.” The questions and debates would cease immediately.
It puts us into Christ. The apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Let us consider this logically—if a person is not in Christ, then they are outside of Christ; therefore, if I want to be in Christ, then Paul says one needs to be baptized.
--Robert Jefferies
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Did you know that there is more than one baptism that is taught in the religious world? Some will teach that sprinkling is acceptable, while others teach pouring is permissible. Then, there are others who teach an immersion—a burial—in water is the acceptable means of baptism. Yet, is this simply a matter of one’s personal preference or choice? The question that we need to ponder is, “What does the Bible say about baptism?” According to the scriptures, the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is a burial (cf. Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3-4). Another passage to confirm this thought is found in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8: “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” (Acts 8:38). If sprinkling or pouring were an acceptable means of baptism, then surely Philip would have offered this to him. However, much water was required—a burial (cf. John 3:23).
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
The book of Acts has been given several different names through the years. Some have described it as a book of history, because it records the history of the church; some have described it as the “Acts of the Apostles,” because it shares with us vital information into the ministries of Peter and Paul, and others have described it as the “Acts of Conversions.” For the sake of the question listed above, the last point is the one under consideration. Acts records for us people who have heard the word of God, believed that message, repented of their sins, and were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:22-47, 8:5-39, 9:1-18, 10:1-48, 16:25-34). This is the same type of people who are to be baptized today. Only when a person meets these conditions are they ready to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38).
WHY SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED?
It is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). “Remission” is a word that means “a dismissal, or a release.” Generally, when we think about the word “remission,” we associate it with cancer; we might say, “That person is in remission,” which means that the cancer has been released from the body. Spiritually, the worst disease that a person has is the disease of sin (cf. Rom. 6:23). However, our sins can be dismissed from our soul.
It is essential to salvation (1 Pet. 3:21). Consider the words of Jesus in Mark’s account of the Great Commission: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Unfortunately, many in our religious world believe that baptism has nothing to do with one’s salvation. Many believe this because Jesus did not use baptism in the second part of the verse. However, it would be similar to someone saying, “He that eateth and swalloweth his food shall digest it; but he that does not eat will not be healthy.” In other words, if a person does not swallow, then is there any need to talk about digestion any further? Moreover, what if Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall receive one million dollars.” The questions and debates would cease immediately.
It puts us into Christ. The apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Let us consider this logically—if a person is not in Christ, then they are outside of Christ; therefore, if I want to be in Christ, then Paul says one needs to be baptized.
--Robert Jefferies