ntchurch Bible Baptism Basics

Basics About Bible Baptism Richard J. Boone 2945 Rosebud Road SW, Apt. 414 Loganville, GA 30052

Numerous opinions exist in the religious world about baptism. While various opinions are thought- and discussion-provoking, we should not be content to have opinions. We should be interested solely in "speaking as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11). Since we can understand the Scriptures (Eph. 3:3-5; Eph 5:17), we will let God speak to us through them on the purpose of baptism. We should do so on any Bible subject.

What Is Baptism? This may sound like a strange question to the reader, but the current religious climate requires that it be asked. Depending on the religious group contacted, they may tell you that baptism is a sprinkling with water, a pouring of water over one’s head, or an immersion in water. We should really ask, "What does the Scripture say?" (cf. Rom. 4:3) about this (or any other) subject?

Simply stated, the Scriptures teach that baptism is an immersion, or burial, in water. We are "buried" with Christ by baptism (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12). "Buried" – that is what the passages say. Now for a simple question: would sprinkling or pouring qualify as a burial? No, they simply are not sufficient. Only immersion can satisfy this qualification.
What Is The Purpose Of Baptism? We learned in the previous point that baptism is a "burial" in water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; cf. Acts 10:47-48). That leads us to another question – what is the purpose of baptism? What, if anything, does it have to do with our salvation? These are legitimate questions, and I shall answer them by appealing to Scripture, specifically those passages which instruct us concerning the purpose of baptism.

Before proceeding to those passages, be aware, reader friend, that conflicting doctrines exist in the religious world about the purpose of baptism. I wish that wasn’t true, but it is. Several Protestant denominations teach that baptism (immersion in water) has nothing at all to do with salvation. It is simply "an outward sign of an inward grace." In other words, it is a public expression of one’s salvation which already occurred at the point of faith. Some also teach that baptism is solely to admit one into a local church family, but has nothing to do with salvation at all. We could list several others, but of real significance to us should be what the Scriptures, not religious groups, say on the subject.

According to the New Testament, baptism is an act of faithful obedience in submission to the headship of Christ who has all authority (Matt. 28:18-20). Just as Christ’s blood was shed "for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:28), baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Romans 6:3-4 plainly says that we are baptized into the death of Christ. He shed His cleansing blood in His death, and it is through baptism that we reach His death, thus His cleansing blood. By His blood which is reached in baptism, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), and we are brought into relationship with Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). While baptism is a physical act of immersion in water, it is not simply to wash away outward filth. Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God, and it saves us (1 Peter 3:21). As I have stated, many religious groups believe and teach that baptism in water has no role in our salvation. In light of these plain passages about baptism, friend, what do you think?

Let me close this section by saying that grace, faith, repentance and confession are also part of receiving forgiveness of sins, but we are not discussing those subjects here. We learn what the Scriptures teach on those subjects by examining the passages which mention them. Here we have solely focussed on baptism since it is the point of divergent doctrines with so many.
Who Can Be Baptized? Modern practices allow baptism for nearly anyone – from small children, to adults, even baptism by one who is living as a substitute for one who is dead! Again we ask, "what does the Scripture say?"

Belief is connected with baptism (Mark 16:16). We learn from other passages what must be believed – that God is (Heb. 11:6) and that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24). Repentance is connected with baptism (Acts 2:38). One must turn away from sin, first in his heart and then in his life, by repenting. Confession of Christ as God’s Son with the mouth is connected with baptism (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37). Based upon all of these, one can then be immersed into Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28).

We now come to answer the question heading this section. Who can be baptized? One who believes, repents and confesses his faith. Can these conditions be met by infants, small children, or the dead? No, therefore it is impossible for such practices to be in harmony with what God’s word teaches.
Conclusion Reader, I ask a simple question: Have you complied with these Bible requirements to become a child of God? If not, why not? God doesn’t require the impossible of us (1 Jn. 5:3). He has given His word which we can understand and obey. We will answer to Him in Judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). Are you ready to do that? We stand ready and willing to assist you in your obedience to God at any time.