What the Bible Says About: Baptism

Baptism

One of the few ordinances commanded in the Bible is that of baptism. This one act has caused much argument, division, and even many deaths in the past. Books have been written on the subject and serious study has been given to this subject by many.
There are three types of baptism spoken of in the New Testament. They include the baptism of the Holy Ghost, a non-water baptism dealing with Jesus’ burdens (Mat. 20:22, 23), and one where a saved person is submerged into the baptismal waters. Here are some of the many teachings from the Bible about the third type of baptism; the baptism of one who has been spiritually born-again:

One should be baptized because Christ commanded it:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19

Water baptism is symbolic of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When it is performed for one that has had his sins forgiven by trusting in Jesus’ death on the cross for remission of his sins, it is a perfect picture of what Jesus did for him. When the one being baptized is lowered quickly into the water, it is a picture of Jesus’ death on the cross. When He is brought up out of the water, it is a picture of His resurrection.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:5 Also: Romans 6:3, Ephesians 4:5, Galatians 3:27

Baptism is not essential for salvation. In clear verses about salvation (as John 3:13, Romans 10:9 …) baptism was never included.

When the man that died on the cross with Jesus was saved, Christ said he would see him shortly in “paradise.” If baptism were required for salvation, he would not have gone there with Jesus. Also, Jesus Himself was baptized. The Saviour was certainly already going “home” and did not need commission of an ordinance to get him there. He did it because His Father commanded Him to, as should we.
Baptism was performed only on people after they were saved; sometimes almost immediately.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41

The Ethiopian eunuch was saved and baptized shortly thereafter: “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest [the context was water baptism]. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. … ” Acts 8:37-39

The jailor believed: “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house … And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway ”. Acts 8:30-33

The early churches practiced it. It was performed in Jerusalem, the desert (Acts 8:36), and Paul, and members of the early church were baptized.

The Greek New Testament word for baptism is “baptizmo.” The word means “immersion.” The 102 times in the New Testament the word is used, it always indicates a saved person being put down into the water and brought back up. In most instances, it was performed in a river, sea, or nearby water source.
Baptism by sprinkling with water (“Christening”), rather than submerging into the water, is not mentioned in the Bible. This unscriptural practice, by some accounts, was performed as early as 150 A.D. and was widely accepted by Catholicism (by Emperor Constantine) in the early 300’s A.D.. Over 100 years later, many believe sprinkling of babies was widely practiced. It is this unbiblical practice of “Christening” that many different religions have adopted as “baptism” and perform even today.

The christening of babies violates the commands of God and does not portray the picture of what Christ did for them on the cross. All references to baptisms were to men and women, not infants. Not one christened baby ever knew what was happening to him, and certainly did not understand that Jesus died and rose again for him, which is most important to the one being scripturally baptized. No baby ever understood that he was a sinner. If a person was christened, they should still be baptized when they get saved, if they want to please the Lord.

Baptism does not add to salvation, nor does it “wash away” sins. If this were true, every rain or bath would cleanse a person from sin. It is an ordinance that shows other believers one is born-again and obedient to what God commands. It is boldly donning the uniform of a Christian as a testimony. Baptism is an early step a believer takes to show his obedience and willingness to obey God’s commandments.

“Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love for him.” — Emmons

What the Bible Says About Christening

That's right - nothing. Chiristening of infants is a practice that man has concocted. It is never mentioned in the Word of God.

“ And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” — Jesus: Mark 7:9

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #144.