Answers to common objections against baptism
Thief on the cross --Three scriptural reasons why this is an invalid argument
Thief on the cross --Three scriptural reasons why this is an invalid argument
Thief on the cross --Three scriptural reasons why this is an invalid argument
Some will ask, “Well, what about the thief on the cross? He wasn’t baptized and Jesus very clearly told him he would be in paradise. Doesn’t that prove baptism in not essential for salvation?”
This is a perfectly valid question and makes sense at first glance. However, the problem arises from not having a clear understanding of what baptism represents and what the scriptures tell us about it. According to Romans 6:3-6, baptism represents being unified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. The problem with the thief on the cross when Jesus told him he would be with Him in paradise, is that Jesus was still alive. Christ had not yet died or been buried, so He had certainly not risen yet either. Baptism into Christ was not put into practice until Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 after Christ had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven.
I) The thief on the cross was still under the Old Covenant and therefore not subject to this baptism. He was saved just like anyone else under the Old Covenant.
II) But besides that, when Christ was on this earth, He had the authority to forgive people of their sins. Look at Mark 2:9-12:
"Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk? 'But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- "I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house." He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
When Christ was on the cross, He was still on this earth. And He had the authority to forgive sins.
III) An additional point to consider: To even position the argument about the thief on the cross one must be able to prove he was never baptized. But consider the following verses:
Mark 4:1-5
"John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then ALL the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins."
So who can really say the thief was never baptized before he was crucified? According to Mark 1:4-5 there is a very plausible chance he was!
Invite Jesus into your heart through prayer (Rev 3:20)
Thief on the cross --Three scriptural reasons why this is an invalid argument
Thief on the cross --Three scriptural reasons why this is an invalid argument
Sounds reasonable at first... until you realize there is not a single example of this in the New Testament!
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.”
This verse is taken out of context if it is applied to mean initial conversion. This is written in a letter to the church in Laodicea, i.e. to those that have already been baptized and have already been born again. This is not a verse about conversion. It was written to people who were already Christians (the church—see verse 14) and who were growing weak, in order to urge them back to a closer walk with God.
Many teach out of error that one only need say a prayer that goes something like this in order to be saved:
"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I have sinned by my own choice. I take the responsibility for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover up or take my sin away, I am relying totally and completely on You. I am completely helpless. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, and I repent. Please come into my life, wash away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You."
Nowhere in scripture do we see anyone “praying for salvation.” Although the thoughts and attitudes expressed in this prayer are exactly correct, it needs to be followed up with baptism into Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Saying a prayer for salvation may sound reasonable from a human standpoint, but it is totally unbiblical and foreign to the New Testament.
If you have prayed a prayer like this, you have been stopped just short of the “one yard line” (to use a term from the sport of American football) You may have asked the Lord to show you what He wants you to do in your life. So keep going. Don’t stop now. Go get baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
If you have prayed such a prayer asking God to save you, He is responding to your prayer right now by telling you what HIS salvation plan is and that you have not heard the full story! He has heard your plea and wants to save you. God wants you to know His salvation plan involves being baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.
The work of the cross is God’s offer of life…
Baptism is our acceptance.
But we are saved by "faith alone", not "works"...
What is a "work"?
First, we must consider what the definition of a “work” is that we are using. If one defines baptism a “work” then we must also label believing a “work”. We must also label repenting a “work”. Believing and repenting are both things we must DO as a prerequisite to salvation. They are both things that require human action. Baptism is merely the last part of that equation. James tells us he will show us his faith by what he does.
"Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself." -James 2:17
It must be remembered that although baptism is something we must do (like believing and repenting), baptism is an act of faith, not a “work.” It must also be noted that the one at “work” when we are baptized is God, not us. See Colossians 2:12. Just as we must report to the hospital before a surgeon can operate on us, so too, we must “report to God’ in the waters of baptism, submitting to God and claiming His promise so that our sins will be forgiven. Just as it is the surgeon who is the one who is at work when we are operated on, so too, it is God who is the one who is at work when we undergo baptism.
Baptism is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It is our birth (John 3:3-5). Baptism is not an on going process such as feeding the poor, or clothing the homeless or offering sacrifices as they did under the Old Covenant. Doing good deeds cannot earn us eternal life.
Baptism is a manifestation of faith. It is not Man who is at work in baptism; it is God. Baptism is not a “work of righteousness.” On the contrary, if anything, it should be considered a work of UNrighteousness. We are baptized because we are corrupt, unrighteous and spiritually dead in sin. This is why we are buried with HIM into DEATH as explained in Romans 6. It is the DEAD that are buried, not the living.
But God has always measured faith by our actions, as James 2:17-26 tells us:
"Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. But, someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and shudder. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith apart from works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Do you see how faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God. You see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only; And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."
Did you catch that? There are many who teach one is saved by “faith alone,” but there is only one place in the bible where the phrase “faith alone” is found—James 2:24. And it states very plainly we are NOT saved by faith alone!!!
“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
It is faith (or belief) that causes us to respond to God’s Word--the Gospel message. It is faith in God’s Word, that tells us Christ died in our place and rose again, that causes us to believe. It is our belief in God’s Word that causes us to turn from our sins and repent. It is our belief in God’s Word that causes us to go into the water in repentance for the purpose of having our sins forgiven and “washed away.” And it is in this manner that it can be said we are saved by faith. If we believe God’s Word about His salvation plan and respond accordingly, only then it can be said we are saved by our faith—because it is faith that acts as the catalyst to our response (repentance and baptism). If we do not believe, then we will not repent, nor will we go down into the water for the purpose of having our sins forgiven.
Even Martin Luther, who coined the phrase "salvation by faith only", understood that salvation by grace through faith did not preclude the necessity of baptism:
In answer to the question, What does Baptism give? What good is it? Luther replied in his Small Catechism, “It gives the forgiveness of sins, redeems from death and the Devil, gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, just as God's words and promises declare.”
It must always be emphasized that baptism is an act in which God works, not Man. This happens through faith in God’s Word—His Son. In baptism we, the dead, are joined with Christ into His death. Then, being united with Him together in this death and burial, just as Christ arose from the dead, so too, He brings us up, still unified as one, with Him to resurrected life.
Those that have been misled into thinking baptism is a “work” and one only need say a prayer to be saved, must realize that baptism is no more a “work” than is saying the “sinner’s prayer” or “praying Jesus into your heart.”
Furthermore, it must be clarified what is meant by the term, “work”. And we must define the phrase-- “not saved by works” if we are going to debate it. Few would argue the work of the cross saves us. However, no work of ourselves can save us. Only the work of God can do that. So in the argument –“we are not saved by works…” it must be clarified that what is really meant is-- “we are not saved by works of ourselves”. But the Word of God does not ascribe baptism to that as being a work of man. The Scriptures credit baptism to that as being the work of God. Accordingly, we ARE saved by works—it’s just that the “work” isn’t ours; It’s the work of God!
Colossians 2:12
"and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Martin Luther himself was often misunderstood and misrepresented by critics of baptism who oppose the very Word of God they claim to uphold. Yet he clarified in his writings exactly what he taught:
“For to be baptized in the name of God is to be baptized not by men, but by God Himself. Therefore although it is performed by human hands, it is nevertheless truly God's own work…”
“…But as our would-be wise, new spirits assert that faith alone saves, and that works and external things avail nothing, we answer: It is true, indeed, that nothing in us is of any avail but faith, as we shall hear still further. But these blind guides are unwilling to see this, namely, that faith must have something which it believes, that is, of which it takes hold, and upon which it stands and rests. Thus faith clings to the water, and believes that it is Baptism, in which there is pure salvation and life; not through the water (as we have sufficiently stated), but through the fact that it is embodied in the Word and institution of God, and the name of God inheres in it. Now, if I believe this, what else is it than believing in God as in Him who has given and planted His Word into this ordinance, and proposes to us this external thing wherein we may apprehend such a treasure?
Now, they are so mad as to separate faith and that to which faith clings and is bound though it be something external. Yea, it shall and must be something external, that it may be apprehended by the senses, and understood and thereby be brought into the heart, as indeed the entire Gospel is an external, verbal preaching. In short, what God does and works in us He proposes to work through such external ordinances. Wherever, therefore, He speaks, yea, in whichever direction or by whatever means He speaks, thither faith must look, and to that it must hold. Now here we have the words: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. To what else do they refer than to Baptism, that is, to the water comprehended in God's ordinance? Hence it follows that whoever rejects Baptism rejects the Word of God, faith, and Christ, who directs us thither and binds us to Baptism.
In the third place since we have learned the great benefit and power of Baptism, let us see further who is the person that receives what Baptism gives and profits. This is again most beautifully and clearly expressed in the words: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. That is, faith alone makes the person worthy to receive profitably the saving, divine water. For, since these blessings are here presented and promised in the words in and with the water, they cannot be received in any other way than by believing them with the heart. Without faith it profits nothing, notwithstanding it is in itself a divine superabundant treasure. Therefore this single word (He that believeth) effects this much that it excludes and repels all works which we can do, in the opinion that we obtain and merit salvation by them. For it is determined that whatever is not faith avails nothing nor receives anything.
But if they say, as they are accustomed: Still Baptism is itself a work, and you say works are of no avail for salvation; what then, becomes of faith? Answer: Yes, our works, indeed, avail nothing for salvation; Baptism, however, is not our work, but God's (for, as was stated, you must put Christ-baptism far away from a bath-keeper's baptism). God's works, however, are saving and necessary for salvation, and do not exclude, but demand, faith; for without faith they could not be apprehended…”
“…Thus you see plainly that there is here no work done by us, but a treasure which He gives us, and which faith apprehends; just as the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross is not a work, but a treasure comprehended in the Word, and offered to us and received by faith. Therefore they do us violence by exclaiming against us as though we preach against faith; while we alone insist upon it as being of such necessity that without it nothing can be received nor enjoyed.”
Submerging beneath the surface of water and getting wet is not a “work”. The “work” that is done in baptism is done by God, not by man. The “work” that is done in baptism is the removal of the stain of sin from a person’s soul for all eternity. The “work” that is done in baptism is the transference of a sinner from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. The “work” that is done in baptism is God taking a dead man and making him alive! The “work” that is done in baptism is God taking the unrighteous and declaring them righteous. The “work” that is done in baptism is God clothing the sinner with the righteousness of Jesus. The “work” that is done in baptism is God uniting together man’s spirit with Christ’s. And this could NEVER, EVER be accomplished by man! The miracle that happens in baptism is not anything man does. It is something God Himself does through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Again, baptism is not our work, it is His!
In speaking about marriage, Jesus said,
“So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." –Matthew 19:6
The participants of the wedding ceremony are no more credited with joining the man and the woman together than are participants of baptism. God does not give such credit to mere servants for this union, but reserves that honor for Himself--and rightly so. Jesus sees marriage as something God does, not man. And so it is with baptism.
Just as the Lord tells us it is God Himself who is the one who does the joining in marriage, so too, baptism is viewed in the same way. It is God who joins us with Christ in baptism. This is a divine miracle and something infinitely beyond human capability. In a similar sense, as a man and a woman becoming united, we become united with Christ in the waters of baptism. And in all of this, it is God who does the joining. It is God who makes the two become one. That is how it is not only in marriage, but in baptism as well. Just as marriage is a spiritual union between a man and a woman that God gets the credit for, so too, baptism is a spiritual union (between Christ and man) that God gets the credit for because it is God who does the joining.
Ephesians 5:30-32
"for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church."
And Christ frequently portrayed Himself as the Bridegroom. In the book of Revelation, the church is portrayed as the bride. This indeed, is profound.
Key Point To Remember:
The Epistles (letters) are written to Christians, i.e., people who have already been baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-5, 1Cor 12:13).
The Epistles contain instructions to Christians and give instructions on how to remain in Christ and grow in Christ. The book of Acts gives examples of people who are not Christians becoming Christians. This is a great mistake many people make. They take instructions in the epistles on faith and apply them to conversion. But these verses do not relate to conversion, but to the converted. Once a person has been
baptized into Christ, all the passages about faith and grace then apply.
In other words, once a person has been baptized into Christ, it can be said their faith
is what continues to maintain their salvation.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." – Ephesians 1:7-8
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
- Romans 8:1
Sure, baptism is commanded but it's not essential...
Biblical baptism
Denominational baptism
Denominational baptism
“He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” –Mark 16:16
Denominational baptism
Denominational baptism
Denominational baptism
“He who believes and is saved shall be baptized.” – Denominational tradition
We don’t bury live people. On the contrary; We bury dead ones! This teaching, when looked at closely, is NOT what the Word of God teaches about baptism in Romans 6 and Colossians 2:12. This is not a Biblical baptism. Romans 6:9-10 states Christ died ONCE and cannot die again! We are unified with Him in death, buried with Him and also raised with Him through baptism. How does all this take place? By faith.
If we are “saved” before we are baptized, then baptism has no meaning and is contradictory to itself.
Furthermore, Ephesians 4:4-5 states that there is only ONE baptism, not two! A person must choose which baptism is the one that is taught in scripture. And there is only ONE Gospel.
If we deny baptism is when we are reborn, we are denying not only our own resurrection (and rebirth) but also Christ’s resurrection.
To further clarify and reinforce this point see 1Corinthians 10:1-4, and remember the following illustration from the Old Testament as an illustration for us today:
God brought Israel:
1. out of Egypt (the land of slavery--i.e. sin)
2. through the sea (water -i.e. baptism)
3. and into the promised land (Israel—i.e. salvation, redemption)
God did NOT bring Israel:
1. out of Egypt (the land of slavery--i.e. sin)
3. into the promised land (Israel--i.e. salvation, redemption)
2. then through the sea (water -i.e. baptism)
Baptism is nothing new in God’s salvation plan. It is something He has always used to illustrate the separating of sin from mankind. God has always saved people through water. It was foreshadowed long ago in the Old Testament scriptures.
Consider Nadab and Abihu and their strange fire in Leviticus 10:1-3 and King Saul and his own way of doing things in 1 Samuel 13 & 15. Remember also, the story of Naaman the Leper. Was it the water of the Jordan that cured Naaman of his leprosy? No! It was God who removed his leprosy when Naaman demonstrated his faith by obeying God and doing just what God told him to do—in the exact manner God instructed him. Likewise, when we go down into the water in similar obedience, God forgives our sin. It is God who does the removing of sin, not the water. If God had told us that we have to pat our head and rub our belly to be forgiven, then that is what we would have to do to be forgiven. But God has not told us we have to pat our head and rub our belly. Instead, He has told us we have to be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins.
1 Corinthians 10:6,11
"Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on
evil things as they did…
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come."
Romans 10:2-3
"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."
Romans 15:4
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Consider also this passage:
Mark 16:15-16
"And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and he that does not believe shall be condemned."
Notice Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
Notice also what Jesus did NOT say. He did NOT say, “He that believeth and is saved shall be baptized.”
In great error, most denominations teach the latter. In other words, most denominations teach what Jesus did NOT say! This should send a chill up the spine of anyone who is truly seeking to follow the teachings of Christ.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
—John 8:31-32
Notice: holding to Christ’s teaching = being His disciple.
Therefore NOT holding to Christ’s teaching = NOT being His disciple!
This is a very simple test God gave us to determine who is and who is not a disciple of Christ.
Some (such as Baptists) may ask if what we believe about baptism at time of immersion matters. I.e., Is it important for us to believe that God is forgiving our sins in baptism when we are baptized? The answer is, yes, it is vital that we believe and understand what baptism is about, otherwise we are undergoing a different baptism, which is not the ONE baptism of Ephesians 4:4-5. The Colossians believed that God was working to make them a new creation in baptism. Notice the phrase “through faith in the working of God”:
Colossians 2:12
"and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Hebrews 11:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God..."
This teaching is found amongst denominations who promote the view that baptism is a "public confession of faith", which sounds reasonable from a human standpoint, but the problem is that it is taught nowhere in Scripture. There is not a single example of anyone ever being baptized to "show" the church that they have been saved. Some examples, such as the day of Pentecost, illustrate large numbers of people (approximately 3,000) being baptized presumably in a public setting but other examples such as the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8, the apostle Paul's own baptism, and Paul and Silas' jailer in the middle of the night, were done very "privately" with only two or three people present) These groups teach that baptism is merely done to "show" one has been saved. They also teach that baptism is not required and does not save you. But think about that... How does something that supposedly does not save you "show that you are saved"? That makes no sense whatsoever. It is an absurdity. It is also one of the biggest errors that is taught amongst denominations about baptism. The only way it can "show" you are saved is if baptism actually saves you! And that is what the apostle Peter taught:
"...to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," - 1Peter 3:20-21
Can you be taught wrong and be baptized right?
See also:
McGarvey Commentary
“The Way of Salvation” Kenny Carl Moser (1893-1976)
More Objections....
Faith and repentance are prerequisites to baptism
The concept of infant “baptism” is totally foreign to the Holy Scriptures. This practice stems from the erroneous teaching of “original sin.” The Bible does not give one single example or command of any baby being baptized anywhere. The Bible does not teach babies are born separated from God. On the contrary, Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children…
But Jesus said, "Allow the little children, and don't forbid them to come to me; for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven."- Matthew 19:14
To explore the topic of infant baptism we must also look into the erroneous teaching of “original sin.” The idea behind baptizing a baby is to remove “original sin”, i.e., the sin of Adam and Eve.
But if humans are “born in sin” and separated from God, then Jesus would not have been sinless. Jesus was not 50% God and 50% man. He was 100% God and 100% man. And “He committed no sin…” (1Peter 2:22; See also Hebrews 4:15) Sin is something we commit. Sin is not something we are born with or “in”.
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law:
for sin is the transgression of the law. - 1John 3:4
The process of falling is a step-by-step process in which we turn away from God and commit acts contrary to His will:
"but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away
and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is
full-grown, gives birth to death." – James 1:14-15
Notice in the above verses nowhere does it even imply we are born in sin.
Paul taught that we fall short because we sinned-
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”-Romans 3:23
The word “sinned” is an active verb. It means we did something. We sinned. Although we have a disposition to sin, we are not born lost and separated from God. How can babies who can’t even yet speak, sin?
Paul reiterates this idea again:
"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned"—Romans 5:12
Notice this does not say men were born into sin. It says death comes because we all sin. The word “sinned” is an active verb. This means we have an active hand in our own demise. It is something we do to ourselves. Sin is an act. We commit sin; We are not born condemned. The act of Adam gave men the choice to sin because sin was now present. In Eden, Adam’s eyes were opened and he realized he had a choice in whether to obey God or not. He saw the two paths set before him: obedience or disobedience. God gives us free will. The Bible says we all have chosen the wrong path at some point.
Adam’s act brings death. In choosing to follow Adam’s path we die.
Jesus Christ’s act brings life. In choosing to follow Jesus’ path we live.
But whether in Adam or in Christ (the Second Adam), we make a choice. And the end result is a result of that choice.
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of
one shall many be made righteous.-- Romans 5:19
Or in other words:
In Adam, we do not die until we choose to disobey.
In Christ we do not live until we choose to obey.
But the end result of either is from the choice we make to obey or disobey. Both choices we have exist in the world as a result brought about by the actions of these “Adams”.
Adam’s disobedience doesn’t make every baby born lost anymore than Christ’s death automatically makes every human being found. Through Adam, sin has been set before us. Through Christ, righteousness has been set before us. If every human was born separated from God because Adam sinned and died, then every human being would be spiritually alive (saved) because Jesus obeyed and lives. But we can’t be saved unless we make a decision and choose to follow Christ. Likewise, we don’t die spiritually until we choose to disobey God—and sin. When Adam’s “eyes were opened” he realized he had a choice—and we know what choice he made. Ultimately, whether we live or die, comes about by a choice we make.
Another problem with the doctrine of “original sin” is that it teaches people they don’t have to take responsibility for their own sins.
Paul explains that there was a time when he was alive once (probably meaning as a child), but when God’s Law came (and he broke it), he died—just as Adam and Eve died when they sinned.
“For I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin came
to life, and I died.” –Romans 7:9
Even in the Old Testament there is evidence to reason that babies are not born lost and separated from God:
"Why didn't I die from the womb? Why didn't I give up the spirit when my mother
bore me? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should suck?
For now should I have lain down and been quiet. I should have slept, then I would
have been at rest –Job 3:11-13
The Bible often uses the term “sleep” and “rest” to describe a person who has died and gone to heaven. See 1Cor 15:6,18,20
The reasoning behind the error of baptizing babies and infants is to remove “original sin” so that if they die they will go to heaven. But the Bible teaches each man is accountable to God for his own sins, not the sins of others. Ask your Jewish friends. The concept of “original sin” is foreign to Judaism.
"Yet say you, Why does not the son bear the iniquity of the father? when the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live. The soul who sins, he shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him."
–Ezekiel 18:19-20
and
"Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin," --Deuteronomy 24:16
We are not held responsible to God for Adam’s sin. Babies are not born separated from God. Therefore there is no need to remove “original sin.” Baptizing an infant is an attempt to remove sin that is not there. Sin is disobeying God’s commands. Sin is falling short of His laws. What command has a baby disobeyed? Babies are not lost.
This is why we only find believing, repentant adults, who have made conscious decisions to follow Christ, being baptized in the scriptures!
#1.) an infant does not hear or understand the Gospel of Christ
#2.) an infant cannot therefore believe in Jesus
#3.) More importantly, an infant has no sin and therefore has nothing to repent of, and needs no forgiveness.
Faith must always precede baptism.
Once a child grows and matures and becomes disobedient (and therefore sins) baptism can then enter the equation along with faith and repentance. No one knows what this “age of accountability” is, however; Each person is different.
Questions for those that still want to say babies are “born in sin” or actually commit sin….
But someone will say…
“Ok, although I was baptized as a baby and I don’t even remember it, my parents told me it happened and then I went through “confirmation” when I was 13….”
What is one “confirming”? Is one confirming belief (faith) in Jesus Christ as the Son of God when baptized as an infant? Is one “confirming” repentance of sins not yet committed as an infant? Is one “confirming” making a decision to follow Christ when one was an infant? Baptism in the Holy Scriptures only occurs after faith in Christ, not the other way around.
You see, infant baptism is a complete and total error. The concept of “original sin” is a false teaching that prevents people from being baptized correctly. If one is baptized as an infant; if one went through “confirmation” they were not baptized correctly. It needs to be done correctly, according to the scriptures to be saved. Please do not delay.
But what about Psalm 58:3?
"Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward and speak lies."
Although this verse is usually cited in support of saying we are born lost, upon closer examination, this verse actually adds to the argument against all being born in a 'lost state.' If one is going to insist upon a literal interpretation of this verse, then let's look at it literally. The verse says "the wicked go astray" from birth. This implies two classes of individuals:
1.) the wicked and 2.) the righteous
If it is the wicked who go astray, then the righteous do not go astray. Therefore, not all are born lost. If all are born lost then they cannot go astray. They are already astray! I cannot go outside of a house unless I am first inside it. I cannot leave a place unless I am first there. This verse cannot be used to support that all people are born in a lost state because it teaches the exact opposite. Who goes astray? The wicked. Who then does not go astray? The righteous. The false doctrine of 'original sin' teaches one class at birth, not two.
We must always be careful when attempting to build entire doctrines around the often poetic verses of the Psalms, especially when our conclusions may run contrary to the vast weight of other Scriptures. Often times the language is symbolic, or employs literary techniques such as hyperbole (exaggeration) to make a point. It can be seen that this verse is symbolic because babies do not come out of the womb able to talk. It is the state or our heart that causes us to walk away from God. But God creates us all with a "clean slate." That is why Jesus said it was necessary to be "born again" (John 3:3). If we are born lost, what would be the point of being born again? What good would it do?
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Another common question about infant baptism:
What about the household of the jailer in Acts 16?
It says his whole household was baptized. Doesn’t that mean infants would be present?
Actually, no. Just the fact that a whole household of people were baptized does not mean infants were automatically present. Millions of people around the world live in households where there are no infants present. This passage is often used in a vain attempt to justify the unbiblical practice of infant baptism. But if one actually reads the passage carefully, one will see that this passage actually tells us no infants were present! Let’s look at it:
Acts 16:32-34
"Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family."
What this passage says regarding infant baptism:
1.) Paul and Silas spoke the Word of the Lord to all those in the jailer’s household.
2.) All members of the jailer’s family were baptized
3.) The whole family of the jailer came to BELIEVE in God.
Conclusion: Since every member of the jailer’s family came to BELIEVE (after having heard the Word preached to them) there could not possibly have been even a single infant present because infants cannot BELIEVE in God. Infants are not capable of understanding the “Word of the Lord”, nor can infants be described as “having come to believe in God.” Therefore, everyone in the household of the jailer was old enough that they could hear and understand the gospel being taught to them, and come to a personal faith in Christ.
Only when an individual is old enough to believe the gospel do they become a valid candidate for baptism.
Click here for an external link to a more in-depth look at the false doctrine of “original sin.”
First of all, the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was never commanded; It was promised ---and could not be administered by men, only by Jesus. Why would Christ give a command that men could not carry out? Why would God tell us to do something that only He could do and that was impossible for men to obey? The baptism of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) was in water. If it wasn’t, how could Jesus command us to go baptize people “in the Holy Spirit”? That is something only God can do! If the baptism we are commanded to carry out is “spirit baptism” then it is a command impossible to obey. If, however, the baptism we are commanded to carry out is in water, then that is something we are able to obey! The phenomenon of the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” occurred twice in Scripture (Acts 2 and Acts 10). It never happened again in this outward, visible manner (which is what the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was). This miraculous, outward sign was to verify and confirm the predicted coming of the Holy Spirit—which meant God’s eternal kingdom had now begun to establish itself on earth.
Again, in the New Testament, “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was never commanded upon anyone, only water baptism was
The “baptism of the Holy Spirit” as referred to by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16 is a separate and different occurrence than water baptism. It was an outward sign to confirm God’s Word and Christ’s prophecy of the coming of the kingdom—the start of Christ’s church, which happened at Pentecost over 2000 years ago.
But Ephesians 4:4-5 teaches there is only ONE baptism.
Which baptism can this be then? What is this ONE baptism?
It is the baptism of Christ spoken of by Peter starting on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:38 and continuing throughout the rest of the New Testament. It is the baptism that the Ethiopian eunuch underwent. It is the baptism that Paul underwent to have his sins washed away. New Testament baptism consists of two parts: water and Spirit, as the Lord spoke of to Nicodemus in John 3:3-5. Jesus said that the truth is that we must be born of the water and the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of God. In other words, we must be baptized to be saved. That is what the Lord Himself said.
“What was John talking about then when he talked about Christ, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire? Doesn’t this happen today at conversion? Isn’t that what he meant?”
What John the Baptist was referring to was the coming of the kingdom of heaven—the start of the New Testament church. From what John said, we know it was Christ who was at work on that day 2000 years ago at Pentecost. Christ spoke of this and it was fulfilled at Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2. There will also be a final and last “baptism of fire”—in the lake of fire—hell!
The “gift of the Holy Spirit” that Peter spoke of in Acts 2:38 did not have an outward appearance as did the “tongues of fire” that had just come to rest on each of the Apostles shortly beforehand. The “tongues of fire” that came on the Apostles was the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”. The “gift of the Holy Spirit” promised to those that repent and are baptized was never an outward, visible phenomenon. The “gift of the Holy Spirit” is invisible to the human eye. The “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was visible. It does not occur today. The invisible “gift of the Holy Spirit” is received when we are baptized.
Those that teach that the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” happens today, teach a different “baptism of the Holy Spirit” than the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” recorded in Scripture. Those that teach today a “baptism of the Holy Spirit” teach an invisible one, but the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” in Scripture was VISIBLE!
Those that teach that people are “baptized in the Holy Spirit” today must be asked a question: “How do you know? Did you see it?” And if one cannot see it, it is not “baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
In both instances of the “baptism of the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2 {the Jews} and Acts 10-11:18 {the Gentiles}) baptism in WATER was practiced. This is undeniable. In both cases, it was Peter who preached. And if the Apostle Peter taught, and even commanded, with the presence of the VISIBLE Holy Spirit, that baptism in water was required, then why on earth are there people today who teach baptism in water is not required?!
What we receive today is the invisible gift of the Holy Spirit (by faith)—which occurs at baptism in water. If we have believed in Jesus and repented, we can confirm, or verify God’s promise of His Spirit (and the forgiveness of our sins) by the water in which we are baptized. We cannot see someone receive the Spirit when they are baptized. This is invisible to humans. But God tells us in His Word what goes on in the heavenly realms and in the mind of God when someone is baptized—we receive the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. These are things we, being human, cannot see. The only thing we can see is the person going down under the water and rising back up again. Baptism, forgiveness of sins and the receipt of the Holy Spirit are simultaneous events. And the Scripture says it is impossible for God to lie--
And the Word of God tells us: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls
“Speaking in tongues” and “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”
Click here for an in-depth study on The coming of the kingdom and the baptism of the Holy Spirit
See also:
BORN OF “WATER AND SPIRIT”, SALVATION, AND BAPTISM
The Coming of the Kingdom and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit - A Bible study
Some protest the need for baptism, saying something like,
“We are not saved by baptism, we are saved by the blood of Christ.”
“The objection is sometimes raised that to insist that immersion in water is a scriptural condition of salvation equals a doctrine of "water salvation." If that is the case, then it is such scriptures as Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16, etc., that should be blamed for the teaching, rather than those who believe it. However, such verses attribute no merit to water as a spiritual cleansing agent whatsoever. These verses do not say what the cleansing agent is. They only tell us when the cleansing occurs. It is plain from other scriptures that the blood of Christ is the agent of cleansing or forgiveness (1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5, etc.). The old song is absolutely correct: "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."”*
The Bible clearly states that baptism saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This ties directly into Romans 6:3-6 which is how we become united with Christ. We also become clothed with Him when we are baptized into Christ. In being united with Him in this manner, we become one with Him and the shed blood of Christ’s body now comes to cover us also, who are now members of His body.
1Corinthians 12:27
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
►Through the sacrifice of Christ’s physical, fleshly body, His blood becomes available.
Hebrews 10:19-22
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
► “…since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by …his body,”
►It is through Christ’s body that we gain access to His blood.
►What is Christ’s body?
Besides 1Corinthians 12:27 quoted above, there are many other places in Scripture that teach the church is a spiritual illustration of the body of Christ.
1Corinthians 6:15
"Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?"
Colossians 1:18
"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."
Colossians 1:24
"Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church."
Ephesians 1:22-23
"And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
Ephesians 5:23
"For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
►How do we become a part of His body (which is the church)?
Through baptism:
1Corinthians 12:13
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."
►Through baptism we become a part of Christ’s body—the church, and we therefore gain access to Christ’s blood.
(See also Romans 6:3-4-- take note of the phrases “into Christ“, and “through baptism.”)
Romans 6:4
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
We gain access to Christ’s blood
through His body.
We gain access to Christ’s body
through baptism.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in
accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." – Ephesians 1:7-8
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
– Romans 8:1
WHAT DO THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND BAPTISM HAVE IN COMMON?
Blood of Christ In Common Baptism
Indeed, we are saved by grace. But just what is ‘grace’? The Oxford American Dictionary defines grace as: God’s loving mercy toward mankind. Other words that may be found in a thesaurus as synonyms for “grace” include: mercy, favor, kindness, blessing, and compassion.
And it is because of God’s mercy, His favor, His kindness, His blessing and His compassion that He has provided mankind with a salvation plan! We are saved by God’s mercy. We do not deserve the blessings God has given us.
Ephesians 2:4-9
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast."
Baptism in no way minimizes or nullifies God’s grace as some critics argue that baptism does. They make this argument because they do not understand the role baptism plays in God’s salvation plan. Baptism confirms and verifies God’s grace to us! God’s grace is manifested in baptism! And after we are baptized, His grace continues to cover us.
Notice this passage says:
God made us alive in Christ when we were dead—and this is God’s grace.
God raised us up with Christ
God expresses His grace to mankind by giving us Christ Jesus
God’s grace is through faith.
When did God make us alive when we were dead, and raise us up with Christ? What is Paul talking about?
Romans 6:3-5 describes just such a scenario-- when we were dead in sin and God raised us up with Christ:
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."
The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And when we had sinned and were dead, and had received only what we deserved, God in His mercy and grace provided a way for us to be saved—He provided His Son, Jesus Christ. And without Jesus, baptism is meaningless. Baptism, coupled with faith, is the means by which we become unified with Christ. Baptism is how we are “put into” Christ.
It is by God’s grace that He has given us a salvation plan—and this salvation plan, though His Son, Jesus Christ, includes faith, repentance and baptism.
We should be grateful and thankful beyond measure that God has provided a salvation plan for us who deserve nothing but death.
We are saved by God. We are saved by grace. We are saved by faith. We are saved by baptism (1Peter 3:21). We are saved by all of these combined because in baptism God’s grace is manifested through our faith. In baptism, God’s salvation plan to mankind—which is purely a gift by His grace-- becomes a reality.
2 Timothy 1:8-11
"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher."
What is Paul talking about? He is talking about God’s salvation plan for mankind as revealed in the Scriptures. Paul is telling us it is by God’s mercy that He has given mankind a salvation plan. We did nothing to “earn” it. This salvation plan was in God’s mind before the world was even created. Paul also tells us this salvation plan (the Gospel, i.e. “good news”) is something that is taught. And if it is taught, it must also be learned by those on the receiving end of the teacher. Where do we learn about this “good news”? Through the Scriptures:
2Timothy 3:14-17
"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
And--
Colossians 1:5-7,12-14
"the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf…
…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
How does God “bring us into the kingdom”? Remember when Jesus said no one can enter the kingdom unless they are “born of water and the Spirit”? Notice the mention of redemption and the forgiveness of sins with being in Christ (“in whom”). And we know we can only be in Christ by being baptized into Him:
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" –Romans 6:3
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." -- Galatians 3:26-27
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body…"--1Corinthians 12:13
And that body is the body of Christ—the church (Colossians 1:24).
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." – Ephesians 1:7-8
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
- Romans 8:1
God’s grace involves a bigger picture than we sometimes realize. Supposedly, at one point, there was a rebellion in heaven in which some of the angels chose to follow Lucifer and abandoned their positions in heaven in rebellion against God. For these, God has provided no salvation plan. There is no hope for them, no chance of salvation. They will be eternally damned to hell when the Day of Judgment arrives. God has not provided a way for them to attain redemption. But for mankind, on the other hand, God in His mercy and grace has given us His Son and a way to be redeemed. He has given us a salvation plan! And this is by His grace. God did not give Jesus to the rebellious angels. He only gave Jesus to mankind. God had this salvation plan in mind from the very beginning:
Titus 1: 1-3
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior"
What is this “faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life”? It is the Gospel—God’s salvation plan.
Are we not saved by faith? We must believe just as we must be baptized. Yet those who argue baptism is a “work” will never argue believing is a work! But believing is something we must do!
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."—John 6:29
Are we not saved by grace? Of course we are! Baptism is just one component of God’s salvation plan. Are we not saved by God’s salvation plan? Baptism is the manifestation of God’s grace. It is the materialization of God’s salvation plan in an individual’s life. When combined with faith and repentance, baptism, Peter says, saves us!
If we say we are not saved by baptism, we are saying we are not saved by God’s salvation plan.
Here is yet another hint:
Acts 20:24-27
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Notice how Paul talks about the good news of God’s grace and then in the very next breath talks about the kingdom. We know from John 3:3-5 that we enter the kingdom through baptism! And what is the will of God?
1Timothy 2:3-4
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
God wants everyone to be saved and to know the truth. It is by God’s abundant mercy and grace that he provides us with a way out of the darkness. His salvation plan is available to every human being! His invitation is extended to everybody and it is by His grace that anyone gets an invitation at all. Yet even though His salvation is open to all, we must each, individually, respond to this invitation, to His grace, and to His call. We do this by believing, by repenting, by confessing our faith in Christ and by being baptized so that our sins will be forgiven.
The work of the cross is God’s offer of life…
Baptism is our acceptance.
Sometimes people say that it is by grace we are saved, not baptism. But that statement comes from not having a proper understanding of baptism and its meaning and purpose. In fact, the Bible teaches it is through baptism that we come into God’s grace. (Romans 6:3-5) That’s what baptism is all about! The two are tied together and we cannot be saved by one without being saved by the other! Remember the apostle Peter even tells us in as plain language as possible, “baptism which now saves you…” (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is the vehicle God uses to put us under His grace and into the body of Christ. It is baptism that ties your life today to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago. People erroneously separate grace from baptism. But it is the very act of a person being baptized that bestows God’s grace upon them. Baptism is an act of obedience to God’s Word. And when we obey God’s commands, He blesses us. Many people confuse God’s unconditional love with unconditional salvation. It is because of God’s love that He gives us a way to be redeemed-- a way to be saved. God loves us and wants all to be saved but all will not be saved. We must respond obediently to the call of the gospel. God’s salvation is very conditional. Remember Jesus said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt 22:14) Who are the chosen? Those who obey God. Obedience to God is a condition. Jesus also said, “Those who believe and are baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16). That also is conditional. Anywhere in the New Testament when someone asks, “What must I do to be saved?” they are given an answer. Notice how the answer given to them recorded in Scripture is different than what most churches teach today in answer to the question, “what must I do to be saved?” Study the Scriptures and you will see everywhere that question is asked in the New Testament period that baptism was always included as a required response along with faith and repentance. And those who obeyed the gospel call received God’s grace because through baptism they were put into Christ and into the grace of God.
Some will say, “we are not saved by anything we do, but only by what Christ did.” In one sense that is true. But in another sense, it is not. It is true we cannot redeem ourselves from our sins by ourselves. Only the work Christ did on the cross could pay the price for our sins, but we must still obey and respond to the gospel. We cannot do anything to pay for our own sins, but we can--we must embrace the gospel call of salvation. Remember the apostle Peter said from the very beginning to “save yourselves” (Acts 2:38-41) . Those who make the previous objection would not deny we must believe in Jesus. Yet believing is an act. It is something we must do! They also would not deny we must repent (See Luke 13:3,5). Again, repenting is also something we must do. Often times repenting will involve physical acts which someone must do (returning stolen money for example). Believing (See John 8:24) and repenting are two acts we must do to be saved. Baptism is no different. Faith, repentance, and baptism are all acts we must do to receive the blessings of eternal life. If you are one who states that we are not saved by baptism because it is something we do, then you must also take the position that we are not saved by repenting or believing either. And that is a very awkward position to take when Jesus very clearly taught that “your faith has saved you.” (Luke 7:50)
See also parallel discussion-- “we are saved by faith…”
And also The Gospel…
Many times someone will object to baptism being essential for salvation because they don’t like the answer they get when they ask the question:
“What happens to a person if they die before they are baptized?”
The scenario goes along these lines: A person hears the message that Jesus died for their sins and rose again; they believe and repent of their sins and come to understand the need to be baptized so that their sins will be forgiven. But before they can make it into the water to be baptized, death overtakes them.
This objection to baptism arises on the argument that God would not keep a person in such a situation from heaven. So according to this line of reasoning, therefore if baptism isn’t required in that situation, it is NEVER required because God is perfectly fair and just. This line of reasoning, usually comes from either:
1.) The philosophical person who would also ask a question like, “If God is all powerful, can He make a rock so large that He can’t lift it?”
2.) Or the person who has been taught “faith alone” saves us (such as Baptists for example).
First, to build an entire doctrine around the topic of salvation based on a hypothetical situation, while completely ignoring at least a dozen passages that plainly teach baptism is a part of God’s salvation plan, is utter and complete folly, besides just going against common sense.
It is noted though, that from a human standpoint, this scenario is seemingly difficult. It is recognized that God “will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, (Romans 9:15) and God is the Judge and all His decisions are perfectly just and righteous. If God decides when looking at something, He wants to grant an “exception to the rule”, that is His place, not man’s. God can do whatever He wants. God will still be God. God has an infinitely better ability to make judgments than man. Yes, God is merciful, but it MUST be remembered there is NO scriptural support for such a person being saved. God is under no scriptural obligation in such a case.
Could God make an exception? Yes, He could. But does that mean He would? That is not a question any human being can answer with certainty. Only God, Himself, in His infinite wisdom and righteousness, can know the answer to this question.
When God has gone to such inexpressible lengths to give us such a wonderful salvation, it would be wise not to ignore it and put ourselves in the place of God and tinker with His salvation plan, attempting to grant things that only God can grant. Remember, it is God who “makes the rules”, not man! Only a fool would trade something that is absolutely certain for something that is highly questionable.
God expects from us what we are able to do, not what we are unable to do. Romans 10:9 teaches one part of God’s salvation plan. We know this verse is not exclusive of other verses, because Jesus also said unless we repent we will all perish (Luke 13:3-5). So Romans 10:9 cannot exclude repentance (or other components of God’s salvation plan, such as baptism). Looking at Romans 10:9, what would happen to the person who has a deformed tongue and cannot speak? Would God expect them to obey this verse? Obviously not. But just because God might make an “exception to the rule”, does not mean we throw out the rule! We cannot throw this verse out and build a doctrine around excluding this verse! Sadly, that is what the denominational world has done with baptism.
However, the issue is not whether the person of this scenario will go to heaven or hell, no, that is a judgment left to God--the issue always has been and always will be—What is God’s salvation plan as revealed in Scripture?
God’s salvation plan teaches to be saved we must:
1.) Hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14)
2.) Believe (Hebrews 11:6; Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16; John 8:24)
3.) Repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; Mark 10:15)
4.) Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-37; Romans 10:9) {Footnote}
5.) Be baptized (in water) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37-41; 1Peter 3:21; John 3:3-5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-27; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:34-39; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 4:5)
6.) Remain faithful for the rest of our lives and carry our cross daily (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 24:13; Luke 9:23)
The Bible does not always spell out what we have to do to be lost. Instead, it tells us what we have to do to be saved and expects us to realize that, if we don't obey it, we will be lost. If God gives us a plan, that when followed, will save us, why try and see how close to the line of being lost we can get?
If you can follow God’s plan of salvation and know for certain that you will be saved, why would anyone want to NOT follow it and depend on being the “exception to the rule?” (For which there is no Scriptural basis)
In the sport of American football, if a team is behind by 5 points and they get the ball to the one-inch line but do not cross the goal line before the clock runs out, they lose. It is the same with baptism and death. The Bible teaches baptism is that dividing line and death is the clock. There has to be a dividing line somewhere and Jesus said without baptism no one enters heaven (John 3:5). Baptism is part of the salvation plan. The Bible says: Follow it and be saved; Fail to follow it and be lost.
If God were to say, we must believe and then stand on one foot and clap three times to be saved, then that is what we would have to do to be saved!
Ok, someone reading this still wants to count on being the exception. But we must emphasize the issue again: WHAT IS GOD’S SALVATION PLAN?
So let’s say there is agreement that God has a salvation plan. It’s just that we differ where the dividing line is between lost and saved. Is it when a person comes to faith? Or is it when a person has faith and is baptized for the forgiveness of their sins? Even people who believe in “faith alone” will knowledge there is a dividing line somewhere between lost and saved. So let’s play out a similar scenario to the “faith only” people:
A preacher goes to preach the Gospel to some African Bushmen who have never heard the
name or story of Jesus Christ. The preacher gathers the group together and he begins to
speak. But just as he opens his mouth a guerilla fighting a civil war enters the hut and sprays everyone with gunfire. Everybody dies. If the preacher had been able to preach his sermon, the Bushmen would have believed and repented. But since none of this ever happened (and faith is a requirement for salvation), what happens to the Bushmen? According to “faith alone” teaching—where do they go?
For those that believe “faith alone” saves, the answer to this question HAS to be the same exact answer as the answer to, “What happens to a person if they die before they are baptized?”
See, the issue is NOT what happens to a person who dies before they obey God’s salvation plan (that answer is obvious), the issue is What IS God’s salvation plan!?
Furthermore, there is only one place in the Bible where the phrase, “faith alone” is used, and it is used in saying we are NOT saved by faith alone!
James 2:24
"You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."
That’s what the Word of God says.
So in conclusion, baptism is when our sins are forgiven, and if the “baptism” is NOT for the purpose of having our sins washed away, it is NOT the ONE baptism in Ephesians 4:4-5. It needs to be done CORRECTLY. Lastly, this is WHY baptism is so important and it is why Paul baptized the Jailer in the middle of the night without delay. The jailer’s eternal destiny changed when he was baptized, and that was not something that could wait until morning.
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Here is an e-mail regarding this topic with some very important points:
A person must take advantage of the time that God has given them to respond. A squandering of that time cannot be laid to the feet of God! This question (If a person intends to be baptized and dies before he does it, is he saved or lost?) is usually asked by those who want to avoid what the Bible teaches about baptism and it’s purpose. If we ask
this kind of question about baptism, would it not be fair to ask the following questions: (1) If a person intends to accept Christ, but dies before he actually does it, is he saved or not? (2) If a person accepts Christ, but dies before he repents of his sins, is he saved or not? (3) If a person accepts Christ, repents of his sins and intends to confess Christ, but dies before doing so, is he saved or lost? Why single out the act of baptism? Why not address all of the required steps for salvation, because what is true of one is true of all! If not, why not? All of the steps of salvation are necessary unto salvation. God has given all of us, who are of age and sound mind, time to do what He requires. If we do not take advantage of the time given, the fault lies with us, not with God!
Some denominational organizations reject the biblical approach to immediate baptism for the remission of sins, i.e., Acts 2:41, “the same day;” Acts 8:36, “as they went on their way;” Acts 16:33, “the same hour of the night;” Acts 22:16, “arise and be baptized.” Certainly, when this biblical approach is ignored and people are “saved up” until Easter or some other occasion, the possibility increases immensely that one will die with the intent to be baptized. However, in the great majority of these cases candidates are not baptized for the right reason anyhow and, therefore, the baptism is invalid as a result even when it does occur!
In over fifty years as a Christian, I have never known one to have believed, repented of sin, publicly confessed Christ before men, and then died on his way to the water. Surely, the fact that they, in response to biblical teaching, went immediately to the water to be baptized played a part in this experience.
What we do know is that Christ our Lord spoke the words by which we will one day be judged (John 12:48) “He that believeth “and” is baptized shall be saved!” The word “and” is a coordinating conjunction that connects two values of equal import, both of which are necessary to the result of the indicated compound command, i.e., salvation! Who has the right to say that only one or the other is necessary, or that only one is necessary under certain conditions? To do so is to abrogate the words of our Lord! It is to assume that we have the right to override His authoritative command based on human rationale. God forbid that we should be so found guilty!
Cordially,
David Amos
Meaning of "eis" in Acts 2:38
Some, in wishing to deny the importance and purpose of baptism, claim that the original Greek word eis in Acts 2:38 means "be baptized because you already have remission of sins." But such a translation and interpretation cannot be supported with a responsible study of Scripture and the Greek language.
In Acts 2:38 (KJV), Peter said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR (Greek eis) the remission of sins." According to one source, eis is translated in this way in the King James Version:
Into – 571 times
To -- 282 times
Unto -- 208 times
In -- 131 times
For -- 91 times
On -- 57 times
Toward -- 32 times
That -- 30 times
Against -- 25 times
Upon -- 25 times
At -- 20 times
Among -- 16 times
Concerning -- 5 times
“because of” – 0 times
According to Thayer's lexigon, eis means "entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among." The majority of the words listed above are consistent with that meaning. Many wish to believe/teach that Peter said repent and be baptized "because of" the remission of sins. There is, however, not a single instance of the Greek word eis in the KJV ever translated as "because of." Nor is there apparently any version of the Bible that translates Acts 2:38, "Repent, and be baptized . . . because of the remission of sins." <There are several versions though, that translate the phrase “for the forgiveness of sins” as “so that your sins will be forgiven”>
To better understand the meaning, consider the entire phrase "for the remission of sins." In the original Greek it reads: eis aphesin ton hamartion humon. That phrase is also found in Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3 where John preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." Did John preach and baptize because they already had forgiveness, or was it leading up to that time of forgiveness through Christ?
The real test, though, is found in Matthew 26:28. There Jesus said His blood "is shed for many for the remission of sins." What did He mean by that? Would He shed His blood because people already had forgiveness or in order that they might obtain it?
If Jesus used the word/phrase to mean "in order to receive remission of sins," then is it not reasonable to conclude that Peter, by inspiration of the Spirit sent by Jesus, would mean the exact same thing when he used the exact same phrase? Surely Peter's command to be baptized in Acts 2:38 means what it clearly says: baptism is for/in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins.
The above article was contributed from the Manassas church of Christ.
Furthermore, if their sins were already forgiven, why in the world would Peter tell them to repent? Repentance is for those who still have their sins counted against them. If their sins were already forgiven, (and they were therefore already saved) why would Peter (in verse 40) tell them to “save yourselves…”?
The argument that we are saved before baptism is a lie! It originates from the father of lies who was a murderer from the beginning and in whom is no truth.
9 questions for those that still want to insist salvation occurs before baptism
Additional note:
When Peter replied to the crowd in Acts 2, he specified to be baptized “for the forgiveness of your sins”, not just “be baptized”. Both Mark and Luke record that when John the Baptist came preaching baptism, it was not just baptism he preached, but a baptism for the forgiveness of sins:
Mark1:4
"And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism for the forgiveness of sins."
Luke3:3
"He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism for the forgiveness of sins."
The following is an selection from J.W. McGarvey’s commentary on Acts 2:37-38
"37. It has already been observed, that up to the moment in which Peter arose to address the audience, although the immersion in the Holy Spirit had occurred, and its effects had been fully witnessed by the people, no change had taken place in their minds in reference to Jesus Christ, neither did they experience any emotion, except confusion and amazement at a phenomenon which they could not comprehend. This fact proves, conclusively, that there was no power in the [37] miraculous manifestation of the Spirit, which they witnesses, in itself alone, to produce in them the desired change. All the power which belonged to this event must have come short of the desired effect, but for a medium distinct from itself, through which it reached the minds and hearts of the people. The medium was the words of Peter. He spoke; and when he had announced the conclusion of his argument, Luke says: (37) "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?" In this exclamation there is a manifest confession that they believe what Peter has preached to them; and Luke's declaration that they were pierced to the heart shows that they felt intensely the power of the facts which they now believed. Since Peter began to speak, therefore, a change has taken place both in their convictions and their feelings. They are convinced that Jesus is the Christ, and they are pierced to the heart with anguish at the thought of having murdered him. In the mean time, not a word is said of any influence at work upon them, except that of the words spoken by Peter; hence we conclude that the change in their minds and hearts has been effected through those words. This conclusion was also drawn by Luke himself; for in saying, "when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and cried out," he evidently attributes their emotion and their outcry to what they heard, as the cause of both.
If Luke had regarded the change effected as one which could be produced only by the direct agency of the Holy Spirit, he could not have expressed himself in these words, for his language not only entirely ignores such an influence, but attributes the effect to a different instrumentality. We understand him, therefore, to teach that the whole change thus far effected in these men was produced through the word of truth which they heard from Peter.
Let it be observed, however, that what they had heard concerning Christ, they had heard not as the words of the mere man Peter; for, previous to introducing the name of Jesus, he had clearly demonstrated the inspiration of himself and the other apostles. This being established beyond the possibility of rational doubt, from the moment that he began to speak of Jesus they were listening to him as an inspired man. But the Jews had long since learned to ascribe to the words of inspired men all the authority of the Spirit who spoke through them; hence this audience realized that all the power to convince and to move, that the authority of God himself could impart to words, belonged to the words of Peter. If they could believe God, they must believe the oracles of God which find utterance through Peter's lips. They do believe, and they believe because the words they hear are recognized as the words of God. Faith, then, comes by hearing the word of God; and he who hears the admitted word of God, must believe, or deny that God speaks the truth. This is true, whether the word is heard from the lips of the inspired men who originally gave it utterance, or is received through other authentic channels. The power by which the word of God produces faith is all derived from the fact that it is the word of God.
No words, whether of men or of God, can effect moral changes in the feelings of the hearer, unless they are believed; nor can they when [38] believed, unless they announce truths or facts calculated to produce such change. In the present instance, the facts announced placed the hearers in the awful attitude of the murderers of the Son of God, who was now not only alive again, but seated on the throne of God, with all power in his hands, both on earth and in heaven. The belief of these facts necessarily filled them with the most intense realization of guilt, and the most fearful anticipation of punishment. The former of these emotions is expressed by the words of Luke, "They were pierced to the heart;" the latter, in their own words, "Brethren, what shall we do?" They had just heard Peter, in the language of Joel, speak of a possible salvation; and the question, What shall we do? unquestionably means, What shall we do to be saved?
38. This is the first time, under the reign of Jesus Christ, that this most important of all questions was ever propounded; and the first time, of course, that it was every answered. Whatever may have been the true answer under any previous dispensation, or on any previous day in the world's history, the answer given by Peter on this day of Pentecost, in which the reign of Christ on earth began, is the true and infallible answer for all the subjects of his authority in all subsequent time. It deserves our most profound attention; for it announces the conditions of pardon for all men who may be found in the same state of mind with these inquiries. It is expressed as follows: (38) "Then Peter said to them, Repent and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
That the offer of pardon, made to the world through Jesus Christ, is conditional, is denied only by the fatalist. We will not argue this point, expect as it is involved in the inquiry as to what the conditions of pardon are. When we ascertain the prescribed conditions of pardon, both questions will be settled in settling one.
Pardon is the chief want of the human soul, in its most favorable earthly circumstances. The rebel against God's government, though he lay down his arms and becomes a loyal subject, can have no hope of happiness without pardon for the past; while the pardoned penitent, humbly struggling in the service of God, knows himself still guilty of shortcomings, by which he must fail of the final reward, unless pardoned again and again. The question as to what are the conditions of pardon, therefore, necessarily divides itself into two; one having reference to the hitherto-unpardoned sinner, the other to the saint who may have fallen into sin. It is the former class who propounded the question to Peter, and it is to them alone that the answer under consideration was given. We will confine ourselves, in our present remarks, to this branch of the subject, and discuss it only in the light of the passage before us.
If we regard the question of the multitude, What shall we do? as simply a question of duty under their peculiar circumstances, without special reference to final results, we learn from the answer that there were two things for them to do--Repent, and be immersed. If Peter had stopped with these two words, his answer would have been satisfactory, in this view of the subject, and it would have been the [39] conclusion of the world, that the duty of a sinner, "pierced to the heart" by a sense of guilt, is to repent and be immersed.
But if we regard their question as having definite reference to the salvation of which Peter had already spoken, (verse 21,) and their meaning, What shall we do to be saved? then the answer is equally definite: it teaches that what a sinner thus affected is to do to be saved, is to repent and be immersed.
From these two observations, the reader perceives, that so far as the conditions of salvation from past sins are concerned, the duty of the sinner is most definitely taught by the first two words of the answer, taken in connection with their question, without entering upon the controversy concerning the remainder of the answer. If it had been Peter's design merely to give an answer in concise terms, without explanation, no doubt he would have confined it to these two words, for they contain the only commands which he gives.
But he saw fit to accompany the two commands with suitable explanations. He qualifies the command to be immersed by the clause, "in the name of Jesus Christ," to show that it is under his authority that they were to be immersed, and not merely under that of the Father, whose authority alone was recognized in John's immersion. That we are right in referring to this limiting clause, "in the name of Jesus Christ," to the command to be immersed, and not to the command repent, is evident from the fact that it would be incongruous to say, "Repent in the name of Jesus Christ."
Peter further explains the two commands, by stating their specific design; by which term we mean the specific blessing which was to be expected as the consequence of obedience. It is "for the remission of sins." To convince an unbiased mind that this clause depends upon both the preceding commands, and express their design, it would only be necessary to repeat the words, "Repent and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." But, inasmuch as it has suited the purpose of some controversialists to dispute this proposition, we here give the opinions of two recent representative commentators, who can not be suspected of undue bias in its favor.
Dr. Alexander (Presbyterian) says, "The whole phrase, to (or toward) remission of sins, describes this as the end to which the multitude had reference, and which, therefore, must be contemplated in the answer." Again: "The beneficial end to which all this led was the remission of sins."
Dr. Hackett (Baptist) expresses himself still more satisfactorily: "eis aphesin hamartion, in order to the forgiveness of sins, (Matt. 26:28 Luke iii: 3,) we connect, naturally, with the both the preceding verbs. This clause states the motive or object which should induce them to repent and be baptized. It enforces the entire exhortation, not one part of it to the exclusion of the other."
The connection contended for can not be made more apparent by argument; it needs only that attention be called to it, in order to be perceived by every unbiased mind. It is possible that some doubt might arise in reference to the connection of the clause with the term [40] repent, but one would imagine that its connection with the command be immersed could not be doubted, but for the fact that it has been disputed. Indeed, some controversialists have felt so great necessity for denying the last-named connection, as to assume that the clause, "for the remission of sins" depends largely upon the term repent, and that the connection of thought is this: "Repent for the remission of sins, and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ." It is a sufficient refutation of this assumption to remark, that, if Peter had intended to say this, he would most certainly have done so; but he has said something entirely different; and this shows that he meant something entirely different. If men are permitted, after this style, to entirely reconstruct the sentences of inspired apostles, then there is no statement in the Word of God which may not be perverted. We dismiss this baseless assumption with the remark, that it has not been dignified by the indorsement of any writer of respectable attainments, known to the author, and it would not be noticed here, but for the frequency of its appearance in the pulpit, in the columns of denominational newspapers, and on the pages of partisan tracts.
The dependence of the clause, "for the remission of sins," upon both the verbs repent and be immersed, being established, it would seem undeniable that remission of sins is the blessing in order to the enjoyment of which they were commanded to repent and be immersed. This is universally admitted so far as the term repent is concerned, but by many denied in reference to the command be immersed; hence the proposition that immersion is for the remission of sins is rejected by the Protestant sects in general. Assuming that remission of sins precedes immersion, and that, so far as adults are concerned, the only proper subjects for this ordinance are those whose sins are already pardoned, it is urged that for in this clause means "on account of" or "because of." Hence, Peter is understood to command, "Repent and be immersed on account of remission of sins already enjoyed." But this interpretation is subject to two insuperable objections. 1st. To command men to repent and be immersed because their sins were already remitted, is to require them not only to be immersed on this account, but to repent because they were already pardoned. There is no possibility of extricating the interpretation from this absurdity. 2d. It contradicts an obvious fact of the case. It makes Peter command the inquirers to be immersed because their sins were already remitted, whereas it is an indisputable fact that their sins were not yet remitted. On the contrary, they were still pierced to the heart with a sense of guilt, and by the question they propounded were seeking how they might obtain the very pardon which this interpretation assumes that they already enjoyed. Certainly no sane man would assume a position involving such absurdity, and so contradictory to an obvious fact, were he not driven to it by the inexorable demands of a theory which could not be otherwise sustained.
We observe, further, in reference to this interpretation, that even if we admit the propriety of supplanting the preposition for by the phrase on account of, the substitute will not answer the purpose for [41] which it is employed. The meaning of this phrase varies, according as its object is past or future. "On account of" some past event may mean because it has taken place; but on account of an event yet in the future, would, in the same connection, mean in order that it might take place. The same is true of the equivalent phrase, "because of." If, then, the parties addressed by Peter were already pardoned, "on account of the remission of sins" would mean, because their sins had been remitted. But as this is an indisputable fact that the parties addressed were yet unpardoned, what they are commanded to do on account of remission of sins must mean, in order that their sins may be remitted. Such a rendering, therefore, would not even render the obvious meaning of the passage less perspicuous than it already is.
It will be found that any other substitute for the preposition for, designed to force upon the passage a meaning different from that which it obviously bears, will as signally fail to suit the purpose of its author. If, with Dr. Alexander, we render, Repent and be immersed "to (or toward) remission of sins," we still have remission both beyond repentance and immersion, and depending upon them as preparatory conditions. Indeed, this rendering would leave it uncertain whether repentance and immersion would bring them to remission of sins, or only toward it, leaving an indefinite space yet to pass before obtaining it.
If, with others still--for every effort that ingenuity could suggest has been made to find another meaning for this passage--we render it, Repent and be immersed unto or into remission of sins, the attempt is fruitless; for remission of sins is still the blessing unto which or into which repentance and immersion are to lead the inquirers.
Sometimes the advocates of these various renderings, when disheartened by the failure of their attempts at argument and criticism, resort to raillery, and assert that the whole doctrine of immersion for the remission of sins depends upon the one little word for in the command, "be immersed for the remission of sins." If this were true, it would be no humiliation; for a doctrine based upon a word of God, however small, has an eternal and immutable foundation. But it is not true. On the contrary, you may draw a pencil-mark over the whole clause, "for the remission of sins," erasing it, with all the remainder of Peter's answer, and still the meaning will remain unchanged. The connection would then read thus: "Brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be immersed every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus." Remembering now that these parties were pierced to the heart with a sense of guilt, and that their question means, What shall we do to be saved from our sins? The answer must be understood as the answer to that question. But the answer is, Repent and be immersed; therefore, to repent and to be immersed are the two things which they must do in order to be saved from their sins.
The reader now perceives, that, in this first announcement to sinners of the terms of pardon, so guardedly has Peter expressed himself, and so skillfully has Luke interwoven with his words the historic facts, that whatever rendering men have forced upon the leading [42] term, the meaning of the whole remains unchanged; and even when you strike this term and its dependent words out of the text, that same meaning still stares you in the face. The fact is suggestive of more than human wisdom. It reminds us that Peter spoke, and Luke wrote, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. That infinite wisdom which was dictating a record for all time to come is displayed here, providing for future controversies which no human being could anticipate. Like the sun in the heavens, which may be temporarily obscured by clouds, but will still break forth again, and shine upon all but those who hide from his beams, the light of truth which God has suspended in this passage may be dimmed for a moment by the mists of partisan criticism, but to those who are willing to see it, it will still send out its beams, and guide the trembling sinner unerringly to pardon and peace.
If there were any real ground for doubt as to the proper translation and real meaning of the words eis aphesin hamartion, for the remission of sins, when connected with the term immersion, a candid inquirer would resort to its usage when disconnected from this term, and seek thus to determine its exact import. It happens to occur only once in connection suitable to this purpose, but no number of occurrences could more definitely fix its meaning. When instituting the supper, Jesus says, "This is my blood of the new covenant, shed for many for the remission of sins," eis aphesin hamartion. It is impossible to doubt that the clause here means in order to the remission of sins. In this case it expresses the object for which something is to be done; in the passage we are discussing, it expresses the object for which something is commanded to be done: the grammatical and logical construction is the same in both cases, and, therefore, the meaning is the same. Men are to repent and be immersed in order to the attainment of the same blessing for which the blood of Jesus was shed. The propitiation through his blood was in order to the offer of pardon, while repentance and immersion are enjoined by Peter upon his hearers, in order to the attainment of pardon."
The work of the cross is God’s offer of life…
Baptism is our acceptance.
“But Paul said he was not sent to baptize…”
(1Corinthians 1:17)
Let’s first look at the whole passage in question:
1Corinthians 1:10-17
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
The following quote is taken from Biblelessons.com :
“In 1 Corinthians 1:10ff, Paul condemns the Christians at Corinth for their division. Apparently many were holding an improper allegiance to the one who baptized them (verse 12). In verse 14, Paul stated that he was therefore thankful that he had baptized only a few there in Corinth. He did not seek any particular status in the minds of those who were baptized; it made no difference to him who actually did the baptizing. He says in verse 17 and in Acts 9:15 that Jesus had called him to preach. Others could do the baptizing as well as Paul, but not necessarily the preaching. Remember John 4:1-2 says that Jesus made and baptized many disciples, but it was His disciples that actually did the physical act of baptizing.
Was Paul saying that baptism is not important? Certainly not. Remember it was Paul who said that we put on Christ in baptism (Galations 3:27). Actually, the passage is very consistent in showing that baptism is very important. It is obvious that the Christians in Corinth had been baptized; this is inferred in 1 Corinthians 1:13 and stated in Acts 18:8. And Paul, in this passage, actually indicates that two things are required before a person may call himself after another person. First, Paul would have to die for that person; and second, that person would have to be baptized in the name of Paul. This actually parallels perfectly with Biblical teaching that Christ has died for us, and we rightfully call ourselves Christians when we put Christ on in baptism.”
The divisions that were occurring with the Corinthians apparently got started because they were placing improper importance and significance on who baptized them. Whether it was Paul or some other teacher, it did not matter.
But notice something very important about Paul’s words that actually demonstrate the necessity of baptism:
To re-state, according to verse 13, in order to be called after Christ, at least two things must happen:
1.) Christ must die for that person (which He did)
2.) That person must be baptized into the name of Christ!
If one has not been baptized into Christ, one cannot rightfully call themselves a Christian.
Even though Paul may have only baptized a few of the Corinthians himself, personally, they ALL were baptized!
1Corinthians 12:13
For we were ALL baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
For additional consideration: When Paul says, “Not to baptize but to preach the gospel,” he is using a common element of Greek syntax, the “ou . . . alla (not . . . but) construction. There are a number of places in the NT where not… but does not negate one of the two items under consideration. Instead, it prioritizes them. For example, Peter tells Ananias, “You have not lied to men but to God. Of course He had lied to men, but most importantly he had lied to God.
In a similar way Paul is saying, “I came first and most importantly to preach the gospel, then to Baptize.” This further emphasizes that faith and repentance are to precede baptism.
See also this site
Answered prayer is not “proof” we are saved. God answers prayers of unsaved people all the time. That is how loving, caring, all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, and perfect God is.
“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” –Matthew 5:45
When God answers our prayers even before we are saved, He is drawing us to Him. When we reach out for God, He does not push us away. He answers so we will know He is there. He answers so we will know he is real. He answers so we will believe He exists. God answers so we will continue to seek after Him.
It is not unusual for God to hear the prayers of people that are seeking Him, even before they are saved. See Cornelius in Acts chapter 10:
Verses 30-33
Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at
three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to
Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner,
who lives by the sea.' So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come.
Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has
commanded you to tell us."
God not only heard Cornelius’ prayer before he was saved, He sent an angel in response to provide him with more information through Peter! Peter later told Cornelius the rest of the message so that he could be saved.
Jesus warned us that even miracles performed in His name does not mean we are saved:
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
In the above verse, how could these people cast out demons unless they pray? How could they perform any of these works without prayer? Notice Jesus does not deny they did these things. But Jesus tells them to depart because they did not do His will. How do we know what God’s will is? By reading the Scriptures and doing what they say.
Think about this: If God did not answer our prayers at all before we were saved, how would we ever find Him?
Imagine a parent that looses their child in a store. Does the parent not cry out and call to that lost child? And when the child hears his mother or father, does he not run in the direction of that voice?
That is what God does with us!
And, in God’s eyes, we are not considered found until we are in Christ:
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" –Romans 6:3
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." -- Galatians 3:26-27
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body…"--1Corinthians 12:13
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in
accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom
and understanding." – Ephesians 1:7-8
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
– Romans 8:1
We must be sure we have followed what the Scriptures teach regarding salvation, conversion, and how to be saved, and not follow our own feelings, and traditions. Our feelings will lead us astray every time, but God’s Word is always true.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
—James 1:22
“I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." – John 8:51
Some people think that being baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” and being baptized into the “name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” are two different things. They are, in fact, the same thing. It is half a dozen in one hand or six in the other. Some think that by obeying this direct command and wording of Jesus Himself in Matthew 28:19 it is somehow not the same as being baptized into Christ and makes baptism in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, invalid (even if it is full water immersion for the forgiveness of sins and done in conformity to Christ’s exact Words). The reason these people use is that the wording found elsewhere in the New Testament and especially the book of Acts uses the term “Jesus Christ” or simply “Jesus” (which can further open a can of worms…is it “Jesus Christ”(as Peter said), “Christ Jesus” (as Paul said), “Jesus”(Paul again) or “Christ” (Paul)? The New Testament uses all these terms). But if the Scriptures are the infallible Word of God, then both of these renderings would be correct. Part of this confusion stems from misunderstanding two things:
1.) the whole Bible is the Word of God and Matthew 28:19 cannot be excluded
2.) the nature of Christ as God the Father and of God Himself
So if we see supposedly two examples in Scripture—“Jesus Christ” and “the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” and only one of them is valid, that would invalidate the other, which in turn would invalidate the Word of God. And God is not a liar. His Word is Truth. Are these “two” ways really two? Are they contradictory? Or are they the same? Is Jesus Christ not the Son?
If we come to understand from the Word of God the nature of our Creator, we can start to grasp what Jesus was telling us when He referred to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This idea is perhaps one of the hardest for us mortals with finite minds to grasp and this author does not claim to fully fathom the depth of himself. It is just accepted on faith. This exploration is by no means complete, as it will only scratch the surface of what is called the doctrine of the Trinity-- a single God who is three, but is also one. Let’s begin by looking at a few verses that explore this mind-boggling idea:
John 10:29-31
" My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. " I and the Father are one." The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him."
John 14:8-10
"Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, "Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works."
John 17:10-12
"...and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
"While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled."
What is the name the Father gave to the Son? Is it not JESUS? The name given to the Son, Jesus says, is also the name of the Father.
John 17:20-21
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
1 John 5:7
" For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
The Word is the Son—Jesus Christ:
Revelation 19:12-14
"His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written that no man knew, but He Himself.
And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and His name is called, The Word of God. And the armies which were in Heaven, clothed in fine linen white and clean, followed Him upon white horses."
In Scripture, Jesus has many names. Here are just a few of them:
Word Son of David Most high Beloved Son
Word of God King of kings Lord The Root And Offspring Of David
Christ Lord of lords Immanuel Abraham's Seed
Messiah Redeemer Faithful Witness Son Of Joseph
Prophet Bright morning star Rock Son of God
Holy One High Priest Chief Cornerstone Firstborn
Righteous One Good Shepard Savior Resurrection
Son of Man The gate Ruler the last Adam
The Way Prince of Peace Wonderful king of Israel
The Truth Counselor Mighty God I AM
The Life Alpha and Omega Son Of Abraham Lamb
Light of the world Beginning and end Only Begotten Son Lion of Judah
Bread of life True vine Bridegroom Mystery of God
God is ONE. Using any of His names still is a reference to Him.
Perhaps the most famous and well know verse that teaches Jesus is the Father is in the Old Testament and is one we sing about every Christmas but then quickly forget about:
Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
So whether we are baptized into “the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” or into “Jesus Christ” it makes no difference--they are both the same thing.
“Ok, but what about the Holy Spirit?”
Many are surprised to learn the Spirit is not an “it”, “it” is a “who”:
Acts 11:15
"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning.
So who is this “He”?
Acts 16:6-8 ASV
"And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas."
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Yes indeed, the Holy Spirit too, is Jesus. Confused yet? You are not alone. But it is what the Bible says…
(Hang on now, it is going to get worse…) So the Bible says Jesus is the Father, and the Father is Jesus. It also says the Holy Spirit is Jesus. Jesus is the Son. He was begotten of the Father. But the Holy Spirit also was involved:
Matthew 1:18
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit."
But wasn’t it the Father who begat the Son? Yes! So how could Jesus be of the Holy Spirit too? Is the Holy Spirit the Father as well? Remember 1John 5:7 above? It says the Father, the Word (which is the Son), and the Holy Ghost are ONE. This is where faith comes in. Our small, puny minds cannot grasp the true immensity of this notion. This is a very deep concept, one perhaps we will never fully understand until we are in heaven. Perhaps the phrase the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, is a more complete, all inclusive, all encompassing name that best describes aspects of God that a singular name cannot. This gives insight into the mystery of God’s very personality, which appears to be of a compound nature. After all, God has shown us this is so from the very beginning:
Genesis 1:26,3:22
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:"
So, because the three are one, baptism in “the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” is just as valid as baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Likewise, baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ” is just as valid as baptism in “the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
In Mathew 28:19 Jesus told the Apostles (Peter being present) to baptize in “the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. In Acts 2:38 we see Peter telling the crowd to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.” It’s a big circle. Peter did not disobey, nor did he improve upon Christ’s commands. This should tell us both wordings are acceptable to God.
Furthermore, the power in baptism does not consist of which exact words or “formula” is uttered at time of immersion. What happens in baptism is done by God.
“Thus, if a person is baptized with an understanding and recognition of the Scriptural purpose of baptism, if a person desires for his/her sins to be washed away by the blood of Jesus, if a person realizes that they are dependent on that precious gift of God through Christ, then surely that person has been baptized "in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" and also "in the name of Jesus," regardless of the words spoken at the time.” –Bob Williams
There are many people who acknowledge Jesus Christ as a human being who lived about 2000 years ago. They do not however, acknowledge Him as the Son (of God). If anyone wants to be contentious about this, using their own line of “reasoning” it can be argued (erroneously) that using the name Jesus only does not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God—and anyone who denies the Son also denies the Father as well:
1 John 2:23
"Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."
Notice this verse uses “the Son” not “Jesus”. But no one with any understanding will say that if someone confesses “Jesus” they will be denying the Father. This would be a misuse of Scripture.
If someone does something in the name of the President of the United States, it is just the same as saying someone does something in the name of George Bush. One phrasing acknowledges the power and authority of the office while the other phrasing is more personable. But both phrases mean the same thing. It is six in one hand, half a dozen in the other.
Furthermore, much of this dispute seems to arise from a divisive and legalistic mindset among those that should otherwise be unified brothers in the body of Christ. Paul warns against factions and divisions of this nature. We should be careful we do not fall into this category:
1Timothy 6:4-5
"…he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw thyself."
If it is to be disputed that baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is invalid because it doesn’t say that in Acts, then the same exact argument can be made that baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is invalid because that is not what Jesus Christ Himself said to do. Do you see how ridiculously silly this gets? It is quibbling over semantics. It is a classic case of what Paul warned Timothy about. Notice Paul also mentions that these people like to argue over words and are after financial gain. Currently, there is another site on the Internet that the author has bet anyone $10,000 to find anywhere in the New Testament where it shows baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (other than Matthew 28:19, of course). This is an unhealthy interest in controversy over words for financial gain as quoted by Paul above.
Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? –Mark 12:24
Click here for another site that explores this question.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there are “baptisms” that are not into Christ at all. They are not into either “Jesus Christ”, NOR “the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” In other words, it is not a “Christian” baptism whatsoever. It is a “baptism” where Christ is actually rejected or denied. Even today, Jewish people still practice “tevillah” which is what Christians would call baptism. This is the same type of full water immersion in a “baptistry”—which Jewish people call a “mikvah”. The ancient application of Mikvah is still practiced for several different reasons, one of which is for conversion to Judaism. Click here and here to see an external, Jewish site for more information on Mikvah.
So in view of Mikvah, and Tevillah, it seems pretty silly to argue about the phrasing “Jesus Christ” or “the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” --which both mean the same thing!
Often times people will quote Romans 10:13 (“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”) not understanding what it means to “call on the name of the Lord” biblically. This verse in Romans 10:13 is actually a quote of Joel 2:32. This is the same exact verse the apostle Peter quoted in Acts chapter 2 at the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:21)
In Acts 2, we see that after Peter quotes them the verse in Joel they still ask Peter, (in Acts 2:37) “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter does not respond by telling them to say a prayer. Peter does not lead them in any prayer! NO! Instead he tells them what they must do to be saved. Peter gives them the answer mankind needs so desperately to hear. Peter declared to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:38-41)
The Bible tells us what it means “to call on the name of the Lord”. To “call on the name of the Lord” is equated with repentance and baptism into Christ’s name.
“Calling on the name of the Lord” being equated with baptism is further reinforced in Acts 22:16--
“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'”
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
—James 1:22
1.)
There is a simple principle of language that many of us constantly use, but overlook in scripture. It is called synecdoche. It means: the part represents the whole. We use synecdoche all the time in English. The following are examples:
1. "Bless your heart" = We don't mean bless the organ that pumps your blood. We mean "Bless all of you." The part represents the whole. The heart represents the whole person.
2. "It's good to see your face" = "It's good to see YOU, all of you"
3. "Bless the hands that prepared this food" = "Bless ALL of you"
4. "I like your wheels" = "I like your whole car"
5. "Let's do a head count" = "Let's count all the people" to include their bodies
6. "I have 100 head of cattle" = "I have 100 whole cows"
We use synecdoche all the time. It's like second nature.
It is also used in the Bible like this. When the New Testament writers speak of being saved by believing, they are using "believe" synecdocally. The term "believe" represents the whole response to the gospel. The emphasis he is trying to make in the context decides which term he uses. Sometimes he speaks of being saved by repentance (2 Pet. 3:9) but repentance is representative of the WHOLE response to the gospel to include faith, baptism, and being faithful. Baptism is used synecdocally in 1 Pet. 3:21 and "believe" in places like Acts 16:31. But it is apparent that "believe" is used in a representative way in this verse because the jailer was baptized the same hour of the night. Confessing is used in Romans 10:9-10 along with belief.
It is utterly absurd to expect the New Testament writers to write down every single faith-response to the gospel every time they talk about it. But WHATEVER they wrote, whether believe, repent, baptism, works, confess - - ALL were representative of the WHOLE response to the gospel. The hearers understood this.
The above section was contributed by the Linary Church of Christ
2.)
Baptism is, in fact, mentioned in every single detailed conversion story in the book of Acts.
It must be remembered that faith, repentance and baptism, all combined, are what make up the three facets of conversion. Some passages of scripture emphasize baptism. Other passages emphasize belief, and still others emphasize repentance. Some emphasize two out of the three. And yet in still others, all three facets can be seen.
In the book of Acts, when the question was asked, "What must I do to be saved?" some were told they needed to believe because they had not yet done so. Others were told to repent because they had not yet done that. And still others were told to be baptized because that still needed to be done. If the New Testament and its teachings are taken as a whole, then it is certainly reasonable to conclude that God requires faith, repentance, and baptism for a person to be saved.
For example, just because one particular passage does not emphasize repentance, it does not mean we do not need to repent. Jesus very clearly stated in Luke 13:3 that unless we repent, we too, will all perish. Does that mean then that the passages that emphasize faith, that repentance is not required? Of course not! What about passages that don’t mention faith, repentance or baptism? Take a look at Acts 14. Here, large numbers of people were being converted, yet nothing is mentioned specifically as to how people responded, not even faith! The fact that they believed must be inferred.
Acts 14:21
"They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch"
Next, we find where people were converted, but it only mentions repentance, nothing of faith:
Acts 26 :20
"First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."
So we see that some passages speak of repentance. Does that mean they didn’t believe? Of course not. Other passages speak of faith or belief. Does that mean they did not repent? No. But we know for conversion to occur, even opponents of baptism will grant at least faith and repentance is required. This tells us we cannot isolate one single passage from the rest of the other scriptures in trying to derive its meaning. We must look at what the Bible says in all places regarding a particular subject and combine all these passages to see them together as a whole.
Someone will point out that the fact they repented implies they also believed. This is true. And by the same token, passages that speak only about faith imply, likewise, that they not only repented, but that they were baptized as well.
Again, every detailed conversion story in the book of Acts mentions baptism and that it is for the purpose of washing away sin. Although baptism is a physical act, it has spiritual results because of the power of God. The vague, passing references to conversion mention only belief specifically, but when the scriptures become more specific and detailed, baptism is always there. Furthermore, “to believe” implies believing the gospel message, and the gospel message includes not only faith, but repentance and baptism as well. It’s a funny thing, but sometimes non-Christians understand baptism better than those who profess faith in Christ. Ask a Hindu what baptism means and they will tell you it is something one does when they want to become a Christian.
Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:19 , “I give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…” Jesus mentioned keys in the plural, not one key. So this means there is more than just one single “key.” Take the example of a bank vault that has two or more locks on it. One key is given to one officer of the bank, and a second officer holds a second, different key. It takes both keys to open the vault. Either one by itself will not accomplish the task. It is the combination of both keys being used simultaneously that will successfully open the vault. And so it is with conversion and the keys to the kingdom of heaven. These keys are: faith, repentance, baptism. It is when baptism is combined with faith and repentance, simultaneously that conversion occurs.
Let’s look at some specific passages and objections that often arise.
3.)
Acts 3:19-20
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. "(NIV)
Curiously, the phrase, “and turn to God” in several versions (KJV, NKJV, Darby’s, KJ21, Webster’s, etc) render this as, “be converted”. If one wishes to stick with the NIV, then look at Acts 15:3:
"The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad." (NIV)
The Greek text that the NIV is taken from uses the same root word in both of these passages, only the tense is different (epistrepho/epistrophe).
So now the question must be asked, what did Peter mean by saying, “Be converted?”
He told them to “repent and be converted”. So it is highly unlikely “be converted” means just to repent. Otherwise, Peter would then be saying, “Repent and repent.” No, he must have been saying to repent and something else in addition to repentance. To a Jew in the first century, to “convert” meant something they all understood. A Jew was born into their religion so there was no need to convert. Conversion was for those outside of Israel, that is, the Gentiles. And for Gentiles to convert to being a Jew they had to adopt the Jewish set of beliefs (i.e. repent) and then, to complete this conversion and have their status changed, they were to undergo tevillah, which is where they immerse themselves in a water bath called a mikveh.
“Mikveh” or “mikvah” is defined as follows:
"Mikvah" - (f., pl. "Mikvaot"); a ritual pool of water, used for the purpose of attaining ritual purity. Immersion in a Mikvah is performed for the following main purposes:
It is used in connection with Repentance, to remove the impurity of sin.
It is also used in connection with Conversion, because the convert has taken upon himself or herself to adopt the lifestyle of the Jew, that is based on the recognition of G-d as King of the Universe and on the obligation to perform the commandments of the Torah.
Regarding the practice of baptizing proselytes, Lightfoot, in Horae Hebraicae explains: "As soon as he grows whole of the wound of circumcision, they bring him to Baptism, and being placed in the water they again instruct him in some weightier and in some lighter commands of the Law. Which being heard, he plunges himself and comes up, and, behold, he is an Israelite in all things."
In Acts 2:38 Peter says, “Repent and be baptized…” A short while later, he says, “Repent and be converted…” Did Peter change his story so soon? Or is he saying the same thing? Jews understood that the conversion process involved tevillah—which is the Jewish term for what Christians call baptism. (See explanation of John 3:1-5) So although Peter did not use the word “baptism” in Acts 3:19 he was speaking of it! The phrase, “Repent and be baptized…” is synonymous with “Repent and be converted…”
4.)
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
This is perhaps the most often quoted verse in the New Testament. It is often isolated and set apart from the rest of the dialogue in which it took place. To “believe in Jesus” means to believe the gospel message, and baptism is a part of that gospel message. It must also be remembered this verse is only one small part of a much larger conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus. Verse 16 (of chapter 3) deals with faith in the Son. Repentance is talked about in regards to the snake that was lifted up and then again in verses 19-21.
Verses 3 and 5 deal with baptism. This shows the importance of looking at the overall picture and not focusing in on any single verse or passage out of context.
Furthermore, the NIV is the only translation that uses the word “shall” in John 3:16. All other translations render this verse, “…whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The NIV erroneously takes a “maybe” and turns it into a “will be”. God gave us His Son so that we shouldn’t have to perish.
According to James, faith alone, by itself, will not save us:
James 2:19-20
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"
Faith must have actions to back it up with.
5.)
Acts 16:30-31
"He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
This verse is often quoted but then the questioner stops short right in the middle of the story. People like to quote verses 30 and 31 but they don’t quote verses 32 and 33. Those very next two verses state that the Word of the Lord was preached to them and then they were immediately baptized. We know from James 2:19-20 that the jailer did not stop once he had a belief in Jesus. Indeed, there was more as verses 32-33 illustrate so clearly. See Acts 16:16-33 for more detail. It does no good to tell someone about baptism unless they are first told the message of Jesus Christ. The first step is to believe, then baptism will be effectual. Faith in Christ is what gives baptism its significance. Obviously, it does no good to tell someone to get baptized unless they have first heard the message of the cross and the story of Jesus and His sacrifice for our sins.
6.)
Romans 10:9-10
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Remember first, Paul just finished explaining in chapter 6, and in great detail, the role of baptism. This verse does not nullify that chapter. But it is of significance, however, to note the commentary on this verse in the NIV study Bible that states, --“”Jesus is Lord”, the earliest confession of Christian faith, probably used at baptism.” The verbal confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ is made at baptism, and is what is seen in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Notice the eunuch asks to be baptized and Philip tells him “if you believe with all your heart, you may.” And then the Ethiopian eunuch confesses faith in Christ with his mouth, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” He is then baptized.
This model is also referred to in the first letter of Paul to Timothy:
1Timothy 6:12 -14
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,"
The reference to “eternal life” and the “good confession” makes perfect sense in the light of the correct understanding of baptism. It makes even more sense when one understands also, since the first century, it has always been the practice to make a verbal confession of faith in Christ at baptism. This passage is a reference to that very practice. The confession Jesus made before Pilate was, of course, that He was indeed the Christ.
There are several verses that speak of belief and what is tied with that belief and being saved:
Confess with mouth and believe will be saved (Romans 10:9-10)
Believe and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16)
Believe will be saved….and are then baptized (Acts 16:16-33)
Notice belief never stands alone, by itself. There is always some other action associated with it. Jesus started preaching by telling us to “repent and believe the Good News.”
Jesus also said in Luke 13:3 that unless we repent we will all perish. So we can add one more to the above list:
Repent and believe (Mark 1:15)
Remembering we cannot isolate one verse from another, but putting all these scriptures together, let’s see what kind of a picture we get:
Confess with mouth and believe will be saved
Believe and is baptized will be saved
Believe will be saved….and are then baptized
Repent and believe
What is tied to believing?
Repentance
Confession of faith in Jesus
Baptism
Looking at it from another angle, notice also that baptism always has something else tied to it:
Believing (Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16)
Repentance (Acts 2:38) { Luke 13:3,5}
Confession of faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:36-37)
Which all leads to:
Being baptized (in water) for the forgiveness of sins.
This is where we get:
1.) Hear the Word
2.) Believe
3.) Repent of our sins
4.) Confess faith in Christ
5.) Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins
It’s that simple.
God’s salvation plan, or Man's?
Instead of changing God’s salvation plan, why not let God’s salvation plan change you?
Romans 10:2-3
“For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.”
The first thing Satan always attacks is the Word of God. It was the first thing he attacked in the Garden of Eden and the Word of God is still the first thing he attacks today. His tactics have not changed a bit. He keeps using the same old strategy over and over again on fresh batches of people. As generations come and as generations go, he repeatedly deceives the nations in the same way.
In the beginning, God told Eve, “Do not eat of the fruit of the tree…” and Satan came along and said, “Did God really say ‘Do not eat of the fruit of the tree’?” He managed to persuade Eve that’s not really what God meant. Satan asks people the same question today, “Did God really say you need to be baptized to be saved?”
The answer is, “Yes, He did.”
Why are there so many that profess to believe in Jesus Christ but have such a hard time with what should be clearly apparent to them? There are many passages on baptism in the Scriptures. It seems so clear and obvious to some but more difficult for others. Why is this?
Perhaps the answer can be found in being tied to this verse and the message of the cross:
"Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him in his death. We will certainly be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him." --Romans 6:3-8
Q: Where did Jesus die?
A: Christ died on a cross!
Baptism is when we become united with Christ and are crucified with Him. And those that resist the Scriptural teaching of baptism, resist the message of the cross:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God." –1Corinthians 1:18
And it is impossible to separate the message of the cross from the biblical teaching of baptism. The two go hand in hand. The message of the cross is gut wrenching enough, let alone it now becoming when WE, ourselves must personally decide to be crucified with Christ and become unified with Him in His death—which was on the cross! Consider what Jesus went through on the cross. And then consider that all we have to do to be saved is believe, repent of our sins and be immersed in water for the forgiveness of our sins. This is nothing considering what He did for us that day on that cross two millenniums ago…
The work of the cross is God’s offer of life…
Baptism is our acceptance.
It should be noted full well, that God is a God of order, light and truth, not one of confusion and darkness. By giving us the scriptures, God wants us to understand and see. His purpose is not to confuse. If we see everything that God is telling us about baptism and its essential need, we see the perfect order and harmony in these scriptures. If baptism is necessary then it is not hard to see the wonderful agreement, conformity, and synchronization of these scriptures. They all fit together perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle. If baptism is not necessary, and if we accept the critics “explanations”, we see confusing meanings, contradictory commands, clashing explanations, and conflicting instructions, along with a schizophrenic God that can’t make up his mind about anything He is trying to tell us. We end up understanding less than when we started! But God is not a God of confusion but one of order.
To those who may be more aware of the spiritual battle that rages around us…
If baptism is as important as we are making out, if it is when we become saved and God forgives our sins, then wouldn’t you just expect the devil to set up every argument he could against the need and necessity of baptism? Would you not expect him to resist and attempt to persuade the world that one does not need to be baptized into Christ? He does not just roll over and die without a fight. And if we were to consider what arguments to use to deceive people what arguments would they be?
It is a grave mistake to remove the essential necessity of baptism from the gospel message! Jesus started His public ministry by being baptized Himself and He ended it by commanding the Apostles to baptize and teach disciples as they went into the entire world.
There are many people who have a deep and sincere faith in Christ. Yet, because the Word of God does not capitulate to the teachings of men, these people are being held at the “one yard line” by error (to use a phrase from the sport of American football). Though they sit on the doorstep to the kingdom of heaven, they have not yet entered in. If Jesus were on the earth today I believe Christ would say something like, “You are not far from the kingdom of heaven. You lack this one thing. Go and do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Do not be like the foolish who, though they were at the very door, remained locked out.
Christ died a painful, excruciating, humiliating death for us. Consider the words of Isaiah the prophet concerning the Christ. All Christ asks is we be baptized into His name to experience His resurrection and victory over death (and then follow Him for the rest of our life). He died alone on that cross and was separated from God for us. Being unified with Him in His death is the only way to be unified into His life. Baptism is a simple and easy thing to do. It is time to put aside human teachings and traditions of men and follow the scriptures alone as our sole source of truth.
For those people that have heard the Good News of Jesus Christ but have not yet been baptized, you are urged to do so immediately. Don’t let the devil hold you at the one-yard line. You are so close. Get over that line. Being baptized is such a small thing. It takes a few moments. God has done so much for us and does not ask for much in return. Being baptized is a small thing to do in return. Christ set us an example Himself, and He commands it as well. It is the perfect measure of faith and action working together. --Faith that God will forgive your sins and add you to the kingdom of heaven and to His body and new life. This website has explained what baptism means and what is so significant about it. There is no need to delay any further.
Matthew 16:24-26
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
If you would like to be baptized or have other questions, please send e-mail to: bebaptized1@gmail.com
“Enter in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are they who enter in through it. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leads to life, and few are they that find it.” --Matthew 7:13-14
Most assuredly I tell you, whoever will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it." –Mark 10:15
Here is some food for thought for those that wish to look at the issue using 100% logic:
If the critics were correct and baptism is NOT a requirement to be saved, and we ARE baptized, we will still be saved. But if, on the other hand, baptism IS required and we are NOT baptized, we will be lost.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
—James 1:22
There are those who will try to use scripture to say that we don’t need to be baptized to be saved. But the Scriptures make it very plain that baptism is a part of God’s salvation plan for mankind. The religious teachers of the day tried to use the scriptures against Jesus as well. But Jesus answered the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes—
"Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? –Mark 12:24
Please reach us at bebaptized1@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
What is the meaning and purpose of baptism?
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