What The Bible Says About Baptism
(Text: Matthew 28:18-20)
By: Barry L. Cameron
* BAPTISM seems to be either abused or overlooked.
- Many people view baptism as OPTIONAL in the Christian life.
- Consequently, there are huge numbers of people in the church today who have never been baptized.
* Failure to follow baptism Biblically in the church is very likely at the root of some of the immense problems the church has experienced today.
- Because, it betrays people’s obedience to the simple, direct commands of the Lord.
* If we can’t be obedient to the Lord in the simple act of baptism (which the Lord has commanded every believer to do) isn’t that indicative of a less than obedient life?
- Which may explain a lot of things about the weakness of today’s church.
Matthew 28:18-20, JESUS gave a command to the church to baptize all disciples.
Acts 2:38. The Holy Spirit commanded through Peter that the individual believer be baptized. (3,000 were)
* So, JESUS commands the church to baptize. The Holy Spirit commands us as believers to be baptized.
- 3,000 believers, on the opening day of the church, set the example by being baptized immediately after they believed.
* As clear as these Scriptures are, there is still a widespread non-compliance to this simple command.
FIVE REASONS WHY A PERSON WHO PROFESSES CHRIST WOULD NOT BE BAPTIZED:
(1) IGNORANCE. They haven’t been taught. Or have been taught wrong.
(2) PRIDE. They’ve gone so long without a proper New Testament baptism that to do it now would be a public confession of long-term disobedience or ignorance.
(3) INDIFFERENCE. They understand it. They’re not against it. It’s just not a major issue.
(4) DEFIANT. They rebel against baptism because they’re harboring sin in their life.
(5) UNREGENERATE. They aren’t saved. There’s no compelling of the Holy Spirit.
- Why publicly affirm a reality that isn’t a reality.
If you haven’t been baptized, is it because of...
(1) Ignorance
(2) Indifference
(3) Pride
(4) Defiance
(5) Not Saved?
FIVE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
(1) What is Baptism?
- From a physical viewpoint: “a ceremony by which a person is immersed, dunked, or submerged into water.”
- There are two verbs: “Bapto” (4 times) means: “to dip, dip into, to die.” “Baptizo” (many times) means: “to dip completely, drown, totally submerge.”
* In Acts, the noun “Baptismos” means: “A Christian being submerged in water.”
Linguistically: The terminology used always refers to a person being submerged or immersed into water.
- In fact, the term “baptism” became a technical term for immerse.
- So that it was transliterated from “bapto” to “baptism.”
- Even in English, “baptism” means “to submerge or immerse.”
* This is so obvious and air tight that even John Calvin, who’s at the heart of the Presbyterian church that sprinkles rather than immerses, said, “The word baptize means to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice in the early church.”
Another Interesting Note:
- The verbs: “bapto” and “baptizo” are never used in the passive sense.
- In other words, water is never said to have been baptized on someone.
- Always, in the Bible, someone is baptized into water. Never is water baptized on them.
* This rules out sprinkling, pouring, and dabbing it on your finger.
New Testament Examples Also Support This:
(1) Matthew 3:6. They were being baptized out in the river.
- The Jordan river was way out in the wilderness. Why would they go that far to sprinkle someone?
(2) Matthew 3:16. Jesus “went up out of the water.”
(3) Mark 1:5. “They were baptized by him (John) in the Jordan river.”
(4) John 3:23. “Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.”
(5) Acts 8:36-39. “Look, here is water, why shouldn’t I be baptized? . . . Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”
One Other Note: Only immersion fits the reality of which baptism is the picture.
* Baptism pictures the reality that has taken place in our hearts and lives. (Outward picture. An object lesson.)
God Has Always Used Object Lessons To Teach Spiritual Truths.
(1) Circumcision. Old Testament reminder that the Israelites were different from every other man.
(2) Joshua. “Memorial Stones” – reminder of God’s power, protection and provision.
(3) Feasts. All were object lessons to teach us about God’s love. (Passover – deliverance)
There are Two Object Lessons For Us Today . . .
(1) Communion – His identity with us.
(2) Baptism – Our identity with Him.
(2) Why Was Jesus Baptized?
- Matthew 3:13. Jesus comes to be baptized. He wasn’t a sinner. He had nothing to repent of.
- It was unthinkable to John the Baptist that Jesus would need to be baptized.
* So, John tried to stop Him.
- Matthew 3:15. Jesus answered: “to fulfill all righteousness.”
- Jesus fulfilled the righteousness of God by dying on the Cross.”
- So, when Jesus was baptized, He was looking forward to the Cross.
* Baptism already symbolized death and new life.
- Jesus was picturing what was going to take place. We are baptized picturing what did take place.
Luke 12:50. Why didn’t He say, “I have a death...”
Mark 10:38. Are you able to be “baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
- At the Jordan, Jesus was demonstrating symbolically what would happen at the Cross.
- His baptism in the Jordan in Judea was but a shadow of what would take place later in Jerusalem.
* Only IMMERSION represents DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION.
* Jesus was fulfilling all righteousness by being baptized and setting the example for believers for centuries to come. (That’s why Jesus was baptized.)
(3) What Does Baptism Picture?
- Not just DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION. But, also your identity with Jesus.
- Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:1-6.
I Peter 3:21. Not the physical act. (I Corinthians 12:13)
Titus 3:5. The Holy Spirit does this. Not water.
(4) What Is The Relationship Of Baptism To Salvation?
- They are inseparable. It’s an act of obedience. Unsaved people don’t obey God. Only saved people do.
* Salvation is not a process. It’s an instantaneous supernatural transaction totally apart from human effort. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- On the Day of Pentecost, there were 3,000 who believed. So, 3,000 were immediately baptized.
* You didn’t get baptized unless you were dead serious.
* How can you tell if someone is truly saved? They are obedient in baptism.
- In the New Testament, baptism marked a break with Judaism.
- No Jew would go through that if they weren’t totally serious.
* There are a lot of people today who’ve been baptized but are not truly saved.
- But there cannot be a “saved” person who refuses to be baptized.
- Baptism and salvation are inseparable.
* Baptism is the demonstration that your sins have been forgiven and that the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in your heart and life. (Acts 2:38)
John 14:15, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?”
- It starts with this simple command.
* One who refuses to be baptized is one who refuses to confess Christ publicly. Therefore, Christ will refuse to confess them. (Matthew 10:32-33)
- The “first” act of obedience is BAPTISM!
* You’ll never be able to enjoy anything in Christianity until you know the joy of obeying Christ in baptism.
(5) Since Baptism Is So Important, So Significant, So Beautiful, And So Simple, Why Is There So Much Confusion?
- Scripture isn’t confusing.
- The devil wants to mess up your pattern of obedience. So, he starts at the very beginning.
- If he can confuse you and get you not to obey God here, he can get you not to obey God throughout your entire life.
*What about the confusion over infant baptism?
- It isn’t commanded, illustrated, or even suggested. It isn’t there.
* The Bible teaches that only those who have believed in Christ are baptized.
- Those who are ready to make a conscious commitment of their lives to Christ.
If you haven’t been baptized...
- You can’t claim ignorance any more.
- Is it PRIDE, INDIFFERENCE, DEFIANCE, or is it possible you’re not saved?
* It’s not a matter of feeling right. It’s a matter of doing right.
What The Bible Says About Infant Baptism And Sprinkling
(Text: No verse in the Bible mentions them.))
By: Barry L. Cameron
* The practice of INFANT BAPTISM comes from an old doctrine that babies were guilty of sin inherited from Adam. Therefore, they were christened or “Christianized” and given a “Christian” name.
* The Bible teaches that we become a Christian by receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, by faith, and then, we obey Him in immersion or baptism as He commands us. Doing this is beyond the grasp of an infant who is innocent of all sin and needs no christening to make him a Christian.
(1) INFANT BAPTISM (There Is No Scriptural Evidence)
- Attempts have been made to justify INFANT BAPTISM based on the “household” baptisms of the New Testament.
1. Acts 10 – Cornelius’ household
2. Acts 16 – Lydia’s household
3. I Corinthians 1:16 – The household of Stephanas
* Those who hold this theology insist that households would have included young children.
* There is also some insistence that the Jewish rite of “circumcision” on the 8th day for Jewish males was the Old Testament equivalent for INFANT BAPTISM.
Here are few problems to consider:
1. Jewish girls couldn’t be circumcised.
2. Circumcision didn’t make you a Jew, it identified you as a Jew.
- It was an outward symbol.
3. The Council In Acts 15.
- The debate was over “circumcision.” Some of the Jews were insisting that the Gentiles had to be circumcised before they could be saved (Acts 15:10-11).
- The decision of the Council was an emphatic, “No.”
* Now, if “circumcision” clearly had nothing to do with salvation in the New Testament church, how could it be used to support the doctrine of INFANT BAPTISM? (Just a thought.)
* There is no Biblical precedent for INFANT BAPTISM.
- In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus told His disciples to TEACH or MAKE DISCIPLES, then to BAPTIZE them. (Infants can’t be taught in this capacity.)
- In Mark 16:15-16, it says you must be a “believer” and be baptized. (Obviously, a baby can’t exercise this kind of faith.)
- In Acts 2:37-38, Peter was preaching and the people were convicted of their sin and wanted to know how to be saved. Peter told them to REPENT and to be BAPTIZED. (The concepts of conviction of sin and repentance are far beyond the capacity of the mind of an infant.)
- In Acts 8:36-37, the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading from Isaiah and asked Philip to explain to him what he was reading. So, Philip told him about Jesus. Philip told him in verse 37, “if you believe with all your heart, you may.” The official answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Obviously, an infant is unable to make that kind of confession.)
* In each of the “household” baptisms that are referred to in the New Testament, the following conditions were present when those involved were baptized: they were hearers, believers, they were repentant, rejoiced and they served.
So, Who Is A Proper Candidate For Baptism?
1. Those who have heard the Gospel (Romans 10:17)
2. Those who have faith in Christ (Romans 10:17a; Ephesians 2:8)
3. Those who believe in Christ. Who He is and What He’s done (Mark 16:16)
4. Those who recognize their sin and repent of it (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38)
5. Those who recognize their need for a Savior (Romans 3:10; 5:8-11)
6. Those who confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10)
7. Those who respond to the Lord’s command to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20)
* Obviously, infants couldn’t do any of the above.
TWO IMPORTANT FACTS TO CONSIDER:
1. Infant baptism is really the decision of the parents, not the infant.
- Out of a desire to do what’s best for a child, some parents feel they should do this.
- But is it even necessary?
* The only way INFANT BAPTISM would be necessary were if God condemned infants to Hell who had not been baptized.
- God doesn’t do that. You won’t find a single verse in the Bible to support that concept.
2. Can INFANT BAPTISM save the infant?
- If it can’t impart salvation, then what’s the purpose?
- Infant baptism would make water the Savior, instead of Jesus, since the infant can’t believe in Jesus or confess Him as Lord, etc.
(2) SPRINKLING (Is It Acceptable For Bible Baptism?)
- Does it pass the following tests:
(a) The Scriptural Test.
* The New Testament was originally written in Greek. The Greek word for baptism is: BAPTIZO meaning “to dip, plunge, or immerse.”
* The Greek word for pouring is CHEO.
* The Greek word for sprinkling is RANTIZO.
* In the original Greek manuscripts, the words CHEO and RANTIZO are NEVER used in connection with BAPTISM.
(b) The Common Sense Test.
* In our study of the accounts of baptism in the New Testament, common sense would tell us that immersion was how people were baptized.
* For example: John 3:23, says John was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.
* Matthew 3:16 says, “As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.”
* Mark 1:9-10 says, “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water . . .”
* Acts 8:38 says, “Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”
(c) The Death, Burial & Resurrection Test.
* Paul always pictured baptism as a “burial” (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4-5)
* In Romans 6, it is clear that baptism symbolizes (or pictures) the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
* This symbol would be destroyed in sprinking or pouring water on someone.
* Sprinkling as an accepted mode of baptism was begun by the Roman Catholic Church and was originated by them as a law of the Roman Catholic Church. This is an historic fact and can be read in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, page 236, under the article: Baptism.
ILLUSTRATION: Imagine someone dying at your house. And someone asks you, “Can we bury our friend in your back yard?” Suppose you agree and they take their friend out to your back yard and sprinkle a little dirt on him or pour a little dirt on him and leave. Not even the local health department would accept that as a proper burial. (Just a thought.)
(3) DO I HAVE TO BE BAPTIZED TO BE SAVED?
- Does this sound like the kind of question a person who is really saved would ask?
- It’s like this question: “Do I have to wear a wedding ring to be married?”
* The wedding ring is the outward symbol that you are married. If you’re ashamed of the symbol, it’s a pretty good indicator the rest is a sham.
* Jesus commanded baptism (Matthew 28:18-20). Now answer your own question. If Jesus commanded it, what is my response if I am truly saved?
* While we are not saved by baptism (if water could save, INFANT BAPTISM would be sufficient. It doesn’t and it isn’t.
Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10, 13; I Corinthians 1:14-17) if we are saved we’ll be baptized (Acts 2:37-38; Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 31-34; 19:1-5; 22:16).
