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Article 0150 - Purpose of Baptism
Matthew 28:19 "go ye...baptizing them"
Here, baptism is clearly a command of God. Likewise, in Acts 10:48 Peter "commanded" Cornelius and his family and friends to be baptized. How can something that God has commanded be considered non-essential?
Matthew 28:19 "in the name of..."
Baptism is to be done "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The expression "in the name of" means "by the authority of." Can anything done under the authority of the godhead be considered non-essential?
Matthew 28:19 "teach [make disciples of] all nations...baptizing them"
Jesus told his disciples to "teach all nations." The American Standard Version more literally translates this "make disciples of." This statement is in the imperative mood (a command). In this verse the corresponding participle is "baptizing." A rule of composition is that whenever a participle is used with the imperative mood, the participle always explains how the command is to be carried out. How are disciples made? By baptizing them. Hence, one who has not been baptized is not yet a disciple of Christ.
Mark 16:16 "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"
This verse makes the necessity of baptism quite clear and can be put in the form of a simple equation - B + B = S. Baptism comes before salvation, not after. A diagram of this sentence helps to clarify it even more. Before the subject can reach the state described in the predicate, it must pass through the adjective clause.
John 3:5 "born of water...enter the kingdom of God"
Jesus told Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom of God one had to be "born of water." A birth is a coming forth, hence, to be born of water is to come forth from water - clearly pointing to baptism. Jesus made baptism the means by which one enters the kingdom of God, therefore, making it essential.
Acts 2:38 "be baptized...for the remission of sins"
Here baptism is said to be "for" something. For what? "Remission of sins." To remit means to take away, hence, in baptism sins are taken away. Some have claimed that "for" means "because," that is, people are baptized because their sins have already been removed. However, this cannot be. The word "for" is from εις (eis) which always looks forward, never backward. Hence, many versions translate it "unto" (in order to). Thayer says, "to obtain the forgiveness of sins." (p. 94) There is another word for "because" - γαρ (gar). For an example, see the first word in Galatians 3:27.
Note: This is exactly the same phrase as in Matthew 26:28. Here Jesus said, "This is my blood... shed for many for the remission of sins." Does "for" here mean that Jesus shed his blood because people's sins had already been forgiven?
Note: It is agreed that repentance is essential to salvation. However, in Acts 2:38 repentance and baptism are connected by the coordinate conjunction "and" meaning that whatever repentance is "for" baptism is also "for."
Acts 22:16 "be baptized and wash away thy sins"
Ananias told Saul to be baptized to "wash away" his sins. Clearly, baptism is the point at which man is forgiven of past sins.
Note: Some claim that people are saved when they verbally "call" on the name of Jesus. (see Rom. 10:13) However, this is not true. The expression "calling on the name of the Lord" means more than simply saying "Save me Jesus." Acts 22:16 explains how Saul "called on the name of the Lord." He did so by being baptized.
Romans 6:3, 4 "baptized into his death...raised...newness of life"
It is the blood of Christ that saves man from sin. And to contact that blood one must go to where it was shed - Christ's death. It is essential that lost man somehow get into the death of Christ. This verse explains that this is done through baptism. It is here that the "old man is crucified with him." (Rom. 6:6) Then, out of baptism one rises to "newness of life." Until one is baptized into Christ's death he cannot be raised to a new life.
Galatians 3:27 "baptized into Christ"
No one can be saved outside of Christ. Why? Because salvation is in Christ. (II Tim. 2:10) However, Galatians 3:27 plainly teaches it is through baptism that one gets into Christ. (cf. Rom. 6:3) Not until one is in Christ does he experience salvation.
Colossians 2:12, 13 "buried with him in baptism...risen with him...forgiven"
This text clearly joins baptism with the forgiveness of sins. Until one is buried with Christ in baptism he cannot be risen with him and, hence, until that time is not forgiven of sins.
I Peter 3:20, 21 "saved by water...baptism doth also now save us"
What does baptism accomplish? The Bible says it saves. The scriptures could not be clearer. As Noah and his family were physically saved from destruction by the flood waters, so man is spiritually saved from sin through baptism. Peter said that baptism is "the answer of a good conscience toward God." More literally, the American Standard Version reads, "the interrogation [or seeking out] of a good conscience toward God." It is in baptism that one seeks out a good conscience.
I Corinthians 10:1, 2 - The Red Sea, A Type Of Baptism
Egypt is a type of the lost world. The Red Sea is a type of baptism. Not until the people passed through the sea were they saved. Likewise, not until people pass through baptism are they saved.
Hebrews 10:22 - "hearts sprinkled...bodies washed"
In this text we see the relation between the spiritual cleansing of man's heart and the baptism of the body in water. Man's heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ, but when? When man submits his body to be baptized with Christ. (Colossians 2:12)
That
obedience to God is essential to man's salvation is evident. But what
is included in this obedience? Paul said those who do not "obey the
gospel" will be lost. What does it mean to obey the gospel? The gospel
is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. (I Cor.15:1-4) But,
these are merely facts. How can a person obey facts? Romans 6:3,4
explains how this is done. A person dies to sin, is buried with Christ
in baptism, and is raised from baptism in the likeness of Christ's
resurrection. This is the only way one can obey the gospel.
Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19
Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 are parallel verses. In the first reference people were told to "Repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins..." In the second reference people were told to "repent... and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..."
Note the parallel sequence found in these verses.
Acts 2:38 - - repent + be baptized = remission of sins.
Acts 3:19 - - repent + be converted = sins blotted out.
Hence, being baptized is the same as being converted.
A syllogism has a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion. If the major and minor premises are true, the conclusion has to be true.
Major premise: Faith and repentance are conditions of salvation. (Jn.3:16; Acts 17:30)
Minor premise: Baptism is inseparably connected with faith and repentance. (Mk.16:16; Acts 2:38)
Conclusion: Therefore, baptism is a condition of salvation.
Romans 6:3, 4, 17, 18
The form of doctrine mentioned in Romans 6:17 refers back to the baptism mentioned in verses 3 and 4. However, verse 18 explains that this form of doctrine is what made people "free from sin." Hence, in baptism people are made free from sin.
The blood of Christ is what saves man from sin. However, salvation is also attributed to baptism. Hence, the blood and baptism work together. Note the following similarities.
Remission of Sins
Matt. 26:28 (blood); Acts 2:38 (baptism)
Washes
Rev. 1:5 (blood); Acts 22:16 (baptism)
Cleanses-Saves
I Jn. 1:7 (blood); I Pet. 3:21 (baptism)
Redeems-Buys
Eph. 1:7 (blood); Acts 20:28 (baptism)
While the blood of Christ is the how of salvation, baptism is the when of salvation.
Acts 19:1-5
Here is a case wherein people had been taught wrong before being baptized. When they learned the truth, they were baptized correctly. If baptism is not important they would not have gone to this trouble. This shows the essential nature of baptism.
In every case of baptism in the New Testament people were baptized immediately. There is no instance where baptism was postponed. The following cases illustrate this: Acts 2:38-41; 16:14, 33; 22:16. (Note: The fact that almost all denominations delay baptism until a special service, shows they do not regard it as essential to salvation.)
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The Purpose of Baptism
Jon Gary Williams
God made baptism a part of His plan for man, hence, it has a purpose to fulfill. The important question to ask is whether or not baptism is essential to man's salvation. Beyond doubt, this is one of the clearest topics discussed in the scriptures. The following references make this quite evident. (Reference from KJV)
Matthew 28:19 "go ye...baptizing them"
Here, baptism is clearly a command of God. Likewise, in Acts 10:48 Peter "commanded" Cornelius and his family and friends to be baptized. How can something that God has commanded be considered non-essential?
Matthew 28:19 "in the name of..."
Baptism is to be done "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The expression "in the name of" means "by the authority of." Can anything done under the authority of the godhead be considered non-essential?
Matthew 28:19 "teach [make disciples of] all nations...baptizing them"
Jesus told his disciples to "teach all nations." The American Standard Version more literally translates this "make disciples of." This statement is in the imperative mood (a command). In this verse the corresponding participle is "baptizing." A rule of composition is that whenever a participle is used with the imperative mood, the participle always explains how the command is to be carried out. How are disciples made? By baptizing them. Hence, one who has not been baptized is not yet a disciple of Christ.
Mark 16:16 "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"
This verse makes the necessity of baptism quite clear and can be put in the form of a simple equation - B + B = S. Baptism comes before salvation, not after. A diagram of this sentence helps to clarify it even more. Before the subject can reach the state described in the predicate, it must pass through the adjective clause.
John 3:5 "born of water...enter the kingdom of God"
Jesus told Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom of God one had to be "born of water." A birth is a coming forth, hence, to be born of water is to come forth from water - clearly pointing to baptism. Jesus made baptism the means by which one enters the kingdom of God, therefore, making it essential.
Acts 2:38 "be baptized...for the remission of sins"
Here baptism is said to be "for" something. For what? "Remission of sins." To remit means to take away, hence, in baptism sins are taken away. Some have claimed that "for" means "because," that is, people are baptized because their sins have already been removed. However, this cannot be. The word "for" is from εις (eis) which always looks forward, never backward. Hence, many versions translate it "unto" (in order to). Thayer says, "to obtain the forgiveness of sins." (p. 94) There is another word for "because" - γαρ (gar). For an example, see the first word in Galatians 3:27.
Note: This is exactly the same phrase as in Matthew 26:28. Here Jesus said, "This is my blood... shed for many for the remission of sins." Does "for" here mean that Jesus shed his blood because people's sins had already been forgiven?
Note: It is agreed that repentance is essential to salvation. However, in Acts 2:38 repentance and baptism are connected by the coordinate conjunction "and" meaning that whatever repentance is "for" baptism is also "for."
Acts 22:16 "be baptized and wash away thy sins"
Ananias told Saul to be baptized to "wash away" his sins. Clearly, baptism is the point at which man is forgiven of past sins.
Note: Some claim that people are saved when they verbally "call" on the name of Jesus. (see Rom. 10:13) However, this is not true. The expression "calling on the name of the Lord" means more than simply saying "Save me Jesus." Acts 22:16 explains how Saul "called on the name of the Lord." He did so by being baptized.
Romans 6:3, 4 "baptized into his death...raised...newness of life"
It is the blood of Christ that saves man from sin. And to contact that blood one must go to where it was shed - Christ's death. It is essential that lost man somehow get into the death of Christ. This verse explains that this is done through baptism. It is here that the "old man is crucified with him." (Rom. 6:6) Then, out of baptism one rises to "newness of life." Until one is baptized into Christ's death he cannot be raised to a new life.
Galatians 3:27 "baptized into Christ"
No one can be saved outside of Christ. Why? Because salvation is in Christ. (II Tim. 2:10) However, Galatians 3:27 plainly teaches it is through baptism that one gets into Christ. (cf. Rom. 6:3) Not until one is in Christ does he experience salvation.
Colossians 2:12, 13 "buried with him in baptism...risen with him...forgiven"
This text clearly joins baptism with the forgiveness of sins. Until one is buried with Christ in baptism he cannot be risen with him and, hence, until that time is not forgiven of sins.
I Peter 3:20, 21 "saved by water...baptism doth also now save us"
What does baptism accomplish? The Bible says it saves. The scriptures could not be clearer. As Noah and his family were physically saved from destruction by the flood waters, so man is spiritually saved from sin through baptism. Peter said that baptism is "the answer of a good conscience toward God." More literally, the American Standard Version reads, "the interrogation [or seeking out] of a good conscience toward God." It is in baptism that one seeks out a good conscience.
I Corinthians 10:1, 2 - The Red Sea, A Type Of Baptism
Egypt is a type of the lost world. The Red Sea is a type of baptism. Not until the people passed through the sea were they saved. Likewise, not until people pass through baptism are they saved.
Hebrews 10:22 - "hearts sprinkled...bodies washed"
In this text we see the relation between the spiritual cleansing of man's heart and the baptism of the body in water. Man's heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ, but when? When man submits his body to be baptized with Christ. (Colossians 2:12)
Hebrews 5:9 (II Thessalonians 1:7, 8) - The Necessity Of Obedience
Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19
Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 are parallel verses. In the first reference people were told to "Repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins..." In the second reference people were told to "repent... and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..."
Note the parallel sequence found in these verses.
Acts 2:38 - - repent + be baptized = remission of sins.
Acts 3:19 - - repent + be converted = sins blotted out.
Hence, being baptized is the same as being converted.
A Syllogism
A syllogism has a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion. If the major and minor premises are true, the conclusion has to be true.
Major premise: Faith and repentance are conditions of salvation. (Jn.3:16; Acts 17:30)
Minor premise: Baptism is inseparably connected with faith and repentance. (Mk.16:16; Acts 2:38)
Conclusion: Therefore, baptism is a condition of salvation.
Romans 6:3, 4, 17, 18
The form of doctrine mentioned in Romans 6:17 refers back to the baptism mentioned in verses 3 and 4. However, verse 18 explains that this form of doctrine is what made people "free from sin." Hence, in baptism people are made free from sin.
Christ's Blood and Baptism
The blood of Christ is what saves man from sin. However, salvation is also attributed to baptism. Hence, the blood and baptism work together. Note the following similarities.
Remission of Sins
Matt. 26:28 (blood); Acts 2:38 (baptism)
Washes
Rev. 1:5 (blood); Acts 22:16 (baptism)
Cleanses-Saves
I Jn. 1:7 (blood); I Pet. 3:21 (baptism)
Redeems-Buys
Eph. 1:7 (blood); Acts 20:28 (baptism)
While the blood of Christ is the how of salvation, baptism is the when of salvation.
Acts 19:1-5
Here is a case wherein people had been taught wrong before being baptized. When they learned the truth, they were baptized correctly. If baptism is not important they would not have gone to this trouble. This shows the essential nature of baptism.
The Immediacy Of Baptism
In every case of baptism in the New Testament people were baptized immediately. There is no instance where baptism was postponed. The following cases illustrate this: Acts 2:38-41; 16:14, 33; 22:16. (Note: The fact that almost all denominations delay baptism until a special service, shows they do not regard it as essential to salvation.)
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