No
religious topic generates more controversy than water baptism.
The problem isn't that the Bible hasn't spoken clearly and
plainly. The real cause for the difficulty is because so many
have drawn conclusions from their own feelings and opinions
without consulting the Bible to see what it says.
All
religious people agree that baptism is a command but there are
differences over who are subjects of the command and for what
purpose it is to be obeyed. Maybe we can remove some of the
difficulty if we approach the study of the topic from the
negative standpoint and point out some of the things that
baptism isn't for.
1. Baptism isn't for the untaught.
Jesus told his disciples to go and teach all nations, baptizing
them into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
(Matt. 28:19).
Teaching was to precede the baptizing and each case of
conversion related in the book of Acts shows that persons were
taught before they were baptized. Since baptism isn't for the
untaught, it follows that babies and irresponsible persons are
not subjects for baptism.
2. Baptism isn't for unbelievers.
While Philip was teaching the eunuch, they came to a certain
water and the eunuch asked what hindered him from being
baptized. Philip's response was, "If thou believest with all
thine heart, thou mayest"
(Acts 8:35-37).
Jesus placed believing before baptism
(Mk. 16:16).
Since baptism isn't for unbelievers, it isn't for atheists or
agnostics.
3. Baptism isn't for the impenitent.
Sometimes I hear people say, "If I thought one
had to be baptized to be saved, I'd force that person to be
baptized." But, wait, friend, you've missed a point in Bible
teaching. One must repent before he is baptized
(Acts 2:38)
and if you were to compel one to be baptized who has not
repented, you would have forced him to submit to an act that
isn't for him.
4. Baptism isn't for saved people.
I
know that many think that one is first saved, then baptized as a
symbol or sign of his salvation but I want you to read carefully
the following passages of scripture and take note of where
baptism is placed in relationship to the blessing that is
promised in each of them.
a.
Mk. 16:16
-
Baptized—saved.
b.
Acts 2:38
-
Baptized—remission of sins.
c.
Acts 22:16
-
Baptized - washing away of sins.
In
fact, in every passage of Scripture in which baptism and a word
corresponding to forgiveness appears, baptism always comes
before that word, never after it. There is but one conclusion
that can possibly be drawn and that is baptism isn't for saved
people.
5. Baptism isn't for Christians.
Some talk about baptism being a "Christian rite" or the
"Christian ordinance" of baptism. Baptism is a command so in
this sense it is a rite or ordinance but it isn't one for a
Christian to obey. Let me show you that this is so. One does not
become a Christian before he enters Christ for it is in him that
he becomes a new creature
(2 Cor. 5:17).
But he does not into enter Christ until he is baptized into him
(Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27).
Therefore, it follows that one is not baptized as a Christian,
one already in Christ, but in order to get into that One in whom
he becomes a Christian.
6. Baptism isn't for the sins of a child of God.
Often when I point out that baptism is for the
remission of sins, I am asked, "Does this mean that a child of
God must be baptized each time that he sins?" The answer is,
"No, baptism isn't for the sins of the child of God."
Look at a Bible example that proves this. In Samaria, Simon
heard Philip's preaching and was baptized
(Acts 8:13).
Later, Simon sinned in trying to buy the power to impart
miraculous gifts of the Spirit but he wasn't told to be baptized
again. He was told to repent and pray that the thought of his
heart might be forgiven
(Acts 8:18-23).
Baptism isn't a command given to children of God for remission
of their sins.
7. Baptism wasn't for Old Testament Characters.
"If Abraham, David and Moses were saved without baptism, does
not that prove that I can be saved without it?" is another
question that I have had asked. Again, the answer is, "No,
Christ gave the command to baptize just before he returned to
heaven." Old Testament characters who had lived and died before
it was given were not subject to obeying it. The same is true of
the thief on the cross. He had been dead more than forty days
when Christ gave this command
(Acts 1:1-3).
Baptism is a command now for us and we must obey Christ if we
are to be saved
(Heb. 5:9).
It is for those who gladly receive the word
(Acts 2:42)
and show such by believing in Christ
(Jn. 8:24),
repenting of their sins
(Lk. 13:3)
and
confessing their faith in him as the Son of God
(Matt. 10:32-33).
If you are willing to do this, baptism is for you. If you aren't
willing to do this, baptism isn't for you!
Guardian of Truth - October 7, 1993
Other Articles by Lowell Blasingame
Cross-Centered Preaching
"By What
Authority"
Rejecting
the Reins
Are All Churches of Christ Alike?