WHERE YOU SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED OR DID YOU JUST GET WET?
WHERE YOU SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED OR DID YOU JUST GET WET?
INTRODUCTION:
The subject of baptism has called no small stir in the religious community. The subject is a non-ending one that will always warrant our attention. Some believe baptism to be no more than an “outward sign of an inward grace.” In other words, baptism is not essential to salvation. Then, concerning the mode, there are those who believe baptism can be administered through sprinkling, pouring, or being dipped in water. In other words, there is choice in the matter. However, baptism is a burial (immersion) as taught in Romans 6: 4. Still, others believe that baptism is a moot point altogether. In other words, they have “cast side” the subject of baptism from religious discussion.
In this tract, we purpose to set forth the truth on the subject. The Bible plainly teaches us the scripturalness of baptism. It behooves the reader to examine the scriptures in light of what the Bible teaches on this crucial subject.
THE AUTHORITY BEHIND IT. On a certain night, Nicodemus came to Jesus acknowledging Him being a teacher from God because of the great signs He had done. Jesus immediately tells Nicodemus the necessity of being “born again.” “…Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3: 3). Again, Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3: 5). And, emphatically, Jesus said: “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3: 7). Jesus left no doubt about His authority behind being “born again.”
Prior to His ascension back to the Father, He said: “All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28: 18-19). And, the apostles obeyed and understood from whence the authority came when they declared that baptism was “in the name [or authority] of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2: 38). Jesus Christ is the author of baptism and no man in any generation can usurp His authorship in saying it is not so. If the authority is not from the Lord, then you were not scripturally baptized…but just got wet.
THE COMMAND FROM IT. On the great Day of Pentecost in Act chapter 2, the apostles preached the first gospel sermon in fact. At the concluding of the sermon, their hearers were “pricked in their hearts” and asked what they needed to do. Peter (and the rest of the apostles) told them to “repent and let every one of you be baptized …” (Acts 2: 38). These inspired men had their authority from the Lord and commanded all those present to be baptized. They (the apostles) did not give them a choice if they wanted to be saved.
At the house of Cornelius, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles proving to Peter and those accompanying with him that the Gentiles were proper recipients of salvation as were the Jews. Peter, without further delay, “…commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…” (Acts 10: 48). In every conversion in the New Testament, baptism was never optional but commanded. If in being baptized it was not commanded, then you were not scripturally baptized…but just got wet.
THE ELEMENTS IN IT. In the book of Ephesians, Paul wrote that there is now one baptism (4: 5). So, whatever is the one baptism, it is now for everyone for all times. The Bible mentions about several baptisms; but there is now one scripturally authorized baptism today. Many believe this baptism to be the Holy Spirit baptism accompanied with the miraculous. This can not be so because the miraculous has ceased. The one baptism of Ephesians 4: 5 involves water and Spirit per John 3: 3-5. At the house of Cornelius, the Bible teaches Peter’s response to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles. “The Peter answered, ‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized…’” (Acts 10: 47). The eunuch of Acts chapter eight said, “See here is water” (Acts 8: 36). We read: “…And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8: 38-39). The one baptism also consists of the Holy Spirit but in a non-miraculous way. Jesus said born of “water and the Spirit” (John 3: 5; 1 Corinthians 12: 13). This is the Lord’s doing (Matthew 3: 11) and takes place simultaneously in the water (Titus 3: 5). This is why Peter preached the reception of the Holy Spirit after forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). So, those who become Christians are baptized in water and in Spirit (non-miraculous) which is the one baptism of Ephesians 4: 5. If in being baptized you were not baptized in the scriptural elements, then you were not scripturally baptized…but just got wet.
THE PURPOSE OF IT. Perhaps, no greater controversy exists concerning baptism than the purpose of it. If people are going to submit to baptism, they are taught it is not for the purpose God intended—to be saved. However, the controversy lies with men and not with God. God has already settled the matter and the Bible gives us His revelation on the purpose of being baptized.
In Marks’ account of the gospel, Jesus said: “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved…” (Mark 16: 16). Jesus plainly tells us the purpose of being baptized, i.e., for salvation. Peter minced no words on the Day of Pentecost when he said: “…Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2: 38). In his first epistle, Peter did not equivocate concerning the purpose: “…while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” (1 Peter 3: 20-21).
Baptism puts you into Christ. “Faith” is unto (Romans 10: 10); “repentance is unto (Acts 11: 18); confession is unto (Romans 10: 10); but baptism is into. It is baptism that is the final step of transition, the step that takes one from without to within. Note carefully: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3: 26-27). Now, what were these people? “Sons of God.” How did they become what they were? Through the faith. Where are they located? In Christ Jesus. How did they get into Christ Jesus? “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ, did put on Christ.” If there is no baptism into Christ, there is no putting on Christ.
And, finally, the purpose also puts us into the church of Christ. Paul wrote: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…” (1 Corinthians 12: 13). But the one body is the church: “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church” (Colossians 1: 24). Can one be saved without getting into Christ? No. Can one get into Christ without being baptized? No. Can one be saved without putting on Christ? No. Can one be saved without being in His church (Matthew 16: 18)? No. Therefore, if in being baptized you were not baptized to be saved, for the remission of your sins (the right purpose), into Christ (the right person), to put on Christ (the right position), and into the church of Christ (the right place), then you were not scripturally baptized…but just got wet.
∼By Stacey Mobley
