Many Churches have practiced the act of water baptism over the years. Some believe strongly that baptism is essential, while others see it as something you should do. Some believe baptism is not necessary at all, claiming that it doesn’t apply to us today. Is baptism essential? If so, how are we to be baptized? By immersion? By sprinkling? In what name? What is baptism for?
What is baptism? Water baptism is a ceremony for those that have repented of their sins. It is an immersion into water in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. We see throughout the New Testament that we are commanded to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
Water baptism is part of the new birth experience.
John 3:3-5 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Jesus told Nicodemus to be born again. When Nicodemus didn’t understand what Jesus meant, Jesus expounded by saying ‘born of the water and of the Spirit’. To be born again is to be born of the water and of the Spirit. Jesus was teaching that water baptism is part of the new birth experience.
Jesus continued this teaching by commanding His disciples to baptize.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
The Apostles carried out this command in the book of Acts by baptizing in Jesus name.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 8:35-38 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 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 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts 10:47-48 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus gives the command ‘baptizing them in the name’. We see how the Apostles interpreted this command in the book of Acts. In Mark 16:16 Jesus included baptism with salvation, but He did not include baptism when speaking of those who do not believe. If they do not believe, being baptized would be irrelevant. In Luke 24:47 ‘remission of sins’ refers to water baptism, as we also will see in the book of Acts.
The Greek word for baptize is baptizo.
907 baptizo {bap-tid’-zo}
Meaning: 1) to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe 3) to overwhelm
To baptize means to dip or plunge, to take completely under the water. This means that the mode of baptism is by immersion.
John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Acts 8:38-39 38 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. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Baptism is a burial of the old sinful nature.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
A burial requires the body to be completely covered. We bury the old man, which is symbolic of burying the old lifestyle of sin.
The purpose of baptism is for the remission of sins. This is seen starting with John’s baptism.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Peter explained that the purpose of baptism was for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Remission means release, wipe out, cancel, and dismiss (Bernard, p. 130). It is used interchangeably with forgiveness (Bernard, p. 141). During water baptism, God remits our sins. He washes them away. This is seen in Peter’s use of ‘for the remission of sins’. ‘For’ means to receive, or in order to obtain (Bernard, p. 130). The clear reading of Acts 2:38 is that baptism is for the remission of sins. CONTEXT DETERMINES MEANING. It is clear from the context that we must be baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The crowd asked Peter and the others “what shall we do?” Peter’s answer included an explanation of what baptism was for – for the remission of sins. Peter was explaining to the crowd what to do to be saved, and this includes water baptism for the remission of sins. He wasn’t telling them to be baptized later because they had already had their sins remitted. He was telling them what to do to have their sins remitted.
Jesus bought remission of sins for us with His own blood.
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
This doesn’t mean that we have remission of sins automatically whether we want it or not. We still have to apply the blood by obeying the plan of salvation. We can believe that our sins will be remitted, but until we go down into the water in the name of Jesus our sins will not be remitted.
This does not mean that simply going down into the water has any power of its own.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Baptism is not our work. God performs remission of sins. We simply obey His command to be baptized for the remission of sins. It is the work of Jesus that remits our sins. We must obey and have faith in the atoning work of Jesus, but we are not remitting our own sins by obeying God’s command anymore than the Jews that were obeying His commands to place blood on their doorposts at the Passover.
Exodus 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Exodus 12:12-13 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
It was by God’s grace that He made a way for the Jews to be passed over. The Jews could have believed it all day, but if they didn’t obey and apply the blood the death angel would have visited them. God provided a way of salvation, and He did the work, but the Jews had to obey God’s commands in faith.
We must obey God with faith.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith and obedience includes believing. Philip would not baptize the Ethiopian eunuch until he could confess that he believed in Jesus as the Son of God.
Acts 8:36-37 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
In order for our sins to be remitted we have to believe that baptism in Jesus name will remit our sins. We must have faith in the one doing the remitting. We must have faith, believe, and obey. The eunuch was not being baptized in public as a public confession of faith. There was no one else present to see this baptism. He was being baptized because it is a necessary part of salvation.
Water baptism is a spiritual circumcision.
Colossians 2:11-12 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Our sins are forgiven when we are baptized in water (coupled with faith) in Jesus name. This is what Jesus was talking about when He said ‘Born of the water’ in John 3:5. Baptism identifies us with the death and burial of Jesus. Baptism is a spiritual circumcision, signifying that the old nature is cut away, and places us into a covenant with our Lord. Water baptism is an essential element of the new birth that Jesus bought with His own blood. We must be born of the water and of the Spirit. Both elements are required for salvation.
References
Bernard, David K. (1984). New Birth, The
Hazelwood: Word Aflame Press
David Bernard The New Birth
There are strong arguments on both sides of whether water baptism is required for salvation. Many doubt it because of the thief on the cross. Others say the baptism that saves is baptism of the Spirit not of water. What is a person believes without a doubt but is killed on his way to be baptized? I understand that water baptism is a commandment. I do not claim to have an answer on this. I am just trying to determine the truth. Thanks.
Randy,
Take a look at John 3:6. It puts the topic of water and Spirit into context. The water that is referred to in verse 5 is the natural birth, which is accompanied by water (as in “her water broke”). In verse 6, Jesus makes this clear by saying that which is born of the flesh (water birth) is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit (born again) is spirit. This verse has nothing to do with baptism.
Ken,
I appreciate your search for truth. I’d like to comment on the things you listed that some people give as reasons to argue the non-essentiality of baptism in God’s plan of salvation.
The thief on the cross – Was the thief married? What did he steal? Was he baptized under John’s baptism (a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins – Mark 1:4)? The Scriptures don’t say, so it’s possible either way. Besides this, Jesus had the power to forgive sins while on earth – Mark 2:10.
Baptism of the Spirit? – Only 2 times in Scripture does this type of baptism occur. Once, on Pentecost in Acts 2 to the apostles and once in Acts 10 with Cornelius and his family. Both times it occurred were for specific reasons related to the beginning of the church/kingdom. We don’t read of this type of baptism ever occurring again. Ephesians 4:5 speaks of only one baptism for the church; water baptism – Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16.
Dying on the way to the baptistery – Most people who would ask such a question do not realize that they are in the same ‘boat’ as the one who holds to the necessity of baptism for salvation. What if a man is being taught about Christ and, in his mind, is coming around to the truth of the matter. But before he is able to say (or think) the words, ‘Jesus, come into my heart. Please forgive me,’ he dies of a heart attack. Is he saved or lost? If he is saved, then we have a man going to heaven without repentance (Luke 13:3) or confessing Christ (Matt. 10:32). If one says, ‘Well, God wouldn’t do that/allow that to happen,’ then we can logical say the same for the scenario that has a man getting hit by a tree limb and dying on his way to being baptized for the remission of his sins. No matter what we feel is right, the Bible will always say, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).
Nils,
Think about what your interpretation of John 3:5 is implying. Why would Jesus tell a man that he must be born of a woman? How many of these guys are there in the world? Christ never dealt in absurdities. The ‘water’ is absolutely referring to baptism because the actual context demands it and there is nothing else in the NT that is could possibly be referring to. It certainly is not amniotic fluid. What about someone born by C-section? According to your view, they’re doomed.
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, posed the question to Jesus. The Pharisees had rejected John’s baptism (Luke 7:30). Whatever the ‘new birth’ process was, it was something Nicodemus had not yet experienced. Jesus told him exactly what needed to be done – comply with the gospel teaching, being given by the authority of the Father through the Holy Spirit (John 12:49-50), by being immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Interestingly, there was never a doubt among the church in the centuries that followed the apostle’s (Christ’s) teachings that the ‘water’ in Jn. 3:5 was indeed baptism.
Hope this helps anyone who may read it. “Seek and ye shall find.”
Baptism is definitely essential to salvation. In every conversion, especially in the book of Acts, they heard the word, repented of their sins, confessed that Jesus is the Son of God and were immersed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
WHAT I DON’T BELIEVE BY STEVE FINNELL
I believe every word of the Bible. I believe every verse of Scripture. I believe everything God says in His book.
WHAT I DON’T BELIEVE IS WHAT THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY.
I believed Jesus when He said, in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
WHAT I DON’T BELIEVE, IS WHAT JESUS DID NOT SAY IN John 3:16.
1. Jesus did not say, sprinkling water on infants, is Christian baptism.
2. Jesus did not say water baptism precedes believing in Him.
3. Jesus did not say, to baptize unbelieving babies or unbelieving adults and then teach them to have faith at a later date. ( If you can baptized non-believing babies, then why not baptize non-believing adults?)
4. Jesus did not say, infants who have been sprinkled are part of His body.
5. Jesus did not say, men are saved by “faith only.”
6. Jesus did not say, men are saved by “grace alone.”
7. Jesus did not say, men are saved before they are baptized in water.
8. Jesus did not say, water baptism is just a testimony of the believers faith and has nothing to do with the forgiveness of sins.
9. Jesus did not say, God has selected a few men to be saved and has appointed all others to burn in hell.
10. Jesus did not say, men did not have to repent to have their sins forgiven.(Repentance means to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God)
11. Jesus did not say, men do not have to confess Him, as the Son of God, in order to have their sins forgiven.
12. Jesus did not say that men do not have to confess Him as Lord and Savior in order to enter the kingdom of God.
13. Jesus did not say men do not have to believe in His death, His burial, and His resurrection from the grave in order to be saved.
14. Jesus did not say men will will be saved as long as they are sincere in what they believe.
15. Jesus did not say, I am just one of many ways to the Father.
16. Jesus did not say, there is not a literal hell where the lost will spend eternity.
17. Jesus did not say, you do not have to be born of water and Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God.
18. Jesus did not say, God will give, those He selects for salvation, the faith to believe, so they can be saved.
19. Jesus did not say, speaking in tongues is evidence that men have been saved.
20. Jesus did not say, if you were on on your death bed and wanted to believe, but died before you believed that He would saved you anyway.
21. Jesus did not say, if you believed, but died before you had time to be baptized in water, that you would sill be saved.
22. Jesus did not say, water baptism is not essential to have your sins forgiven.
23. Jesus did not say, you can be saved without faith.
24. Jesus did not say, you can be saved without confessing Him.
25. Jesus did not say, you can have your sins forgiven without repentance.
26 Jesus did not say, water baptism is just an act of obedience.
27. Jesus did not say, all men are guilty of Adam’s sin.
28. Jesus did not say, everyone is guilty of original sin in the mothers womb.
29. Jesus did not say, infants are sinners.
30. Jesus did not say, we should pray to the Virgin Mary.
31. Jesus did not say, Peter was the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
32. Jesus did not say, when I return all the Jews and Gentiles who have rejected Me will get a second chance for salvation.
WHAT I DON’T BELIEVE IS WHAT JESUS DID NOT SAY.
WHAT I DON’T BELIEVE IS DOCTRINE NOT FOUND IN THE BIBLE.
WHAT I DON’T BELIEVE IS MAN-MADE DOCTRINE.
(Scripture quote from : NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)
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Ye are saved by faith thru grace it is not of your own doing, but a gift
First,we cannot use one part of the Bible to tear down another part.Thats what christains do to day.Use one part of the Bible to tear down another part,thats whats happening here,Sad!
With regard to the thief on the cross, keep in mind that the New Testament was not in effect until Jesus died. A testament does not come into effect until the testator dies. The thief on the cross was forgiven while Jesus still lived, and therefore received the promise that Jesus gave him, that today she would be in paradise with him.