What The Bible Teaches About Baptism

What The Bible Teaches About Baptism

Much discussion and even controversy has centered upon the question of baptism. People across the religious spectrum seem to have difficulty agreeing on this subject. When Philip preached Jesus (Acts 8:35) the Ethiopian wanted to be baptized immediately (Acts 8:36).  What is this baptism the Ethiopian wanted?  Who should be baptized?  Why?  How?  Can we even know?  Christ said you shall know the truth (John 8:32) and God's word is truth (John 17:17).  We can turn to God's word, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16), and learn the truth about baptism.

First, baptism is a burial.  The word translated "baptize" and "baptism" in the Bible means "to dip, to submerge, to immerse."  The Bible describes baptism as a burial (Romans 6 :3,4; Colossians 2:12).  Thus John the Baptizer's need for "much water" (John 3:23).  Thus the need for Philip and the Ethiopian to go down into the water (Acts 8:3 8).  Sprinkling a person with water is not Bible baptism.

Second, baptism requires water.  The Ethiopian understood this after hearing Jesus preached (Acts 8:3 5, 36).  He said here is water, what's keeping me from being baptized (Acts 8:36).  John understood this and located himself where there was "much water" (John 3:23).  The apostle Peter understood this at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:47).  There is a baptism of suffering (Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50) and a baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8) in the Bible.  But these are not the baptism of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:1 9-20; Mark 16:15, 16).  The baptism of the Great Commission requiring water is a command for all men to be administered by man until the end of the world.  Holy Spirit baptism was a promise to a limited number administered by the Lord for a limited time (Mark 1:8; Luke 24:48, 49; Acts 1:5; 2:4). Water baptism is the one baptism of Ephesians 6:4.

Third, baptism is a command.  The apostle commanded men to "repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:3 8).  At the house of Cornelius the apostle Peter "commanded them to be baptized" (Acts 10:47).  If it is essential to obey the Lord to be saved (and it is, Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9), then it is essential to be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16).

Fourth, baptism is for those able and willing to believe and repent.  When the Ethiopian asked to be baptized Philip said, "If you believe you may" (Acts 8:37).  Christ and the apostle Peter understood this (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).  Infants can neither believe the gospel nor repent of sins.

Fifth, baptism stands between the sinner and salvation.  Saul of Tarsus was in his sins when he was told to be baptized and wash away his sins (Acts 22:16).  See also Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21.  This is the case because the blood of Christ stands between the sinner and salvation and baptism is the means whereby the sinner contacts the blood of Christ and is saved (Romans 6:3, 4; Ephesians 1:7).

These five propositions about baptism do not lie in the realm of the uncertain. These are what the Bible teaches.  If the Bible is true (and it is, John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3 :16) then these statements are true.  It is a serious matter to disregard the truth of God's word (John 12:48; 2 Thessolonians 1:7-9).  Have you received Bible baptism?
Stephen D. Rook
  


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