Bulletins
What God Says About Baptism
Much confusion exists in the religious world about baptism. Though man teaches conflicting views on this subject, God’s teaching is consistent (cf. Eph. 4:5).
God teaches that salvation is unmerited (Eph. 2:8), yet faith and obedience are needed to receive salvation (Heb. 5:9).
Baptism is one specific act of obedience God requires to be saved (1 Pet. 3:21; Mark 16:16). This connection is better understood when we read what scriptural baptism does for us.
In Acts 2:38, the Lord’s inspired apostle connected baptism in Jesus’ name with the “forgiveness of sins.” In Acts 22:16, a messenger of the Lord is quoted as saying “Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” These verses make it clear that baptism is necessary to have forgiveness of sins.
Notice also what the Bible teaches is the point at which one gets “into Christ.”
Romans 6:3 says, “Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
The New Testament teaches that the point at which one gets “into Christ” (i.e. becomes a Christian) is when he or she is scripturally baptized.
Baptism is thus clearly required for salvation; more specifically, water baptism by immersion is necessary for salvation.
This point is seen in the account of Philip and the eunuch. When the eunuch asked Philip a question about a Bible passage, “Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus. As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?’” (Acts 8:35-36)
This shows the necessity of water baptism, with the words “here is water.”
Verses 38-39 go on to describe what scriptural baptism looks like. The verses do not describe (so-called) “baptism” by sprinkling or pouring. Instead, the verses teach that “they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him” (verse 38). Verse 39 mentions them coming “up out of the water,” showing again that this was not a sprinkling or pouring.
Romans 6:4-6 likewise shows that baptism is by immersion, and explains the significance of this. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is connected to what happens at baptism. Being immersed in water is connected to putting off the old man of sin, “burying” that sinful life in the waters of baptism, and rising to “walk in newness of life.”
One who has only had water sprinkled or poured on himslef as a means of “being baptized” has not been scripturally baptized. That person has yet to submit to God’s terms for salvation.
It’s also key to note what the Bible teaches should precede baptism.
It doesn’t have to take months of study to know what is needed to become a Christian. In fact, many of the examples in the New Testament that show people becoming Christians occur after those individuals heard just one lesson. However, there are some things noted in the New Testament that precede baptism.
The eunuch could not come to the decision to be baptized until He heard the truth about Jesus (Acts 8:35), and believed that truth. When the eunuch asked to be baptized, Philip answered “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest” (Acts 8:37 – KJV). The eunuch confessed “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (verse 37 – KJV; cf. Rom. 10:10).
Just before the apostle Peter commanded baptism in Acts 2:38, he commanded “Repent.” This involves a change of mind, or, more generally, a change of direction. A person who wants to become a Christian should desire to do what’s right, and recognize that baptism is just the beginning. This repentant heart is needed, along with belief, for one to be ready for baptism.
While man has come up with many ideas concerning baptism, please consider what the Lord says. It’s His Word that will judge us (John 12:48).
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