Baptism

What Does The Bible Say About Baptism?
Why is baptism such a hotly contested Bible subject?

Did you ever think about that?

Why is baptism one of the most disputed subjects in all the Bible? Why does it receive
that distinction?

Is it because the Bible is so confusing and the message so veiled in secrecy that it is
too difficult to understand? Actually, the Scripture’s teaching is simple.

Baptism is an important subject for us to study. We cannot be content to let everyone
have their own belief about it, because if God did require it for salvation, then we will be
lost if we are not baptized. And if God did not require it, then we will be lost for binding
things on people which God did not bind.

Obviously, we cannot be satisfied with a general agreement to differ.

We must let the Bible speak. Anything else will erupt into an argument. Let us allow God’
s own word to answer our questions about baptism.

With the stakes so high, we cannot afford to be satisfied with a wrong answer, or simply
no answer at all.

Let The Bible Answer Our Questions
What is baptism? Baptism is a complete burial in water, “Therefore we were buried with
Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4-6;
Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is a model of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Sprinkling or pouring as a
method of baptism misses the entire point of this form.

Who is to be baptized? Those who learn, believe, and gladly receive His word are fit
candidates for baptism, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who
does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16). “Repent, and let every one of you
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins... Then those who
gladly received His word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were
added to them.” (Acts 2:38,41).

Infants are incapable of believing or repenting—two prerequisites—thus are not
suitable subjects for baptism. Those who are innocent of sin need no salvation from sin
(Matthew 18:1-4)!

Why should we be baptized? Obviously not because I say so. My words mean nothing!
So then, why should we be baptized?

Christ commanded it, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He
who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16). Since this command is for everyone in the world, are we
included within its scope or not?

Baptism is for the remission of sins, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...” (Acts 2:38). Some say this means
to be baptized “because of” the remission of sins, in other words, because your sins are
already forgiven. At what point had all these people on Pentecost already had their sins
forgiven? They just learned that they were guilty of sin! Here, baptism precedes
salvation and forgiveness.

Baptism is for the cleansing of sins, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be
baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16). Many
say that a man is saved when he “calls upon the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:13),
and that baptism has nothing to do with it. This passage tells us that when we are
baptized we are “calling on the name of the Lord”—not apart from baptism, but through it!


Baptism is for salvation, “There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely
baptism...” (1 Peter 3:21). If we are willing to withstand the apostle Peter to the face
insisting that baptism is not for salvation—well we might as well not study the matter
any more. When a man is willing to withstand an apostle of Jesus Christ—then the
purpose of discussion is useless.

We must take an unwavering stand on what the Lord has said—precious souls are at
stake.

Therefore the most important question becomes very simple—Have you been baptized
into Christ?

--Rob Harbison