“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (NKJ: Matthew 28:18-20)
The gospel of Matthew closes with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, commanding us, as Christians, to be baptized. Therefore, it is not only important that we, as Christians, be baptized, but that we also understand the biblical significance of this act. In this Bible study, we will discuss what it means to receive water baptism, and review some of its major aspects. I would like to note here that there is a difference between water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit. For a discussion on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, please see the Bible study on the Holy Spirit. Let us now jump into our study on water baptism.
What is Water Baptism?
The Greek word translated as “baptism” literally means “to dip or immerse.” From a biblical standpoint, the act of baptism consists of immersing a Christian in water. Later in our study, we will discuss the proper mode of baptism, that is, does proper application of baptism require a complete immersion under water. The act of baptism is a symbolic union of us with Christ and His work on the Cross. The submersion under water symbolizes us dieing to our old sinful selves as Christ died on the Cross with the sins of the world resting on Him. The reemergence from the water symbolizes the regeneration of our hearts and our rebirth as new creations through the work of Jesus Cross on the Cross, just as Jesus Christ was resurrected on the third day. This symbolic nature of baptism is clearly laid out in the Scriptures:
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (NKJ: Romans 6:4)
“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (NKJ: Colossians 2:11-12)
Water baptism is a symbolic act to be performed by Christians. However, as we will discuss further on in our study, it should not be misinterpreted as a requirement for salvation.
What is the Purpose of Water Baptism?
As mentioned previously, baptism is an outward symbolic act and public confession of what has already happened inside a person who has been saved through their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. When we are saved by the grace of God through our faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8), we are changed inside and become a new person:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (NKJ: Ezekiel 36:26-27)
“having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…” (NKJ: I Peter 1:23)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (NKJ: II Corinthians 5:17)
In addition to becoming a new person with a changed heart, we, as believers, also receive the bodily indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (NKJ: I Corinthians 12:13)
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (NKJ: Ephesians 1:13-14)
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (NKJ: I Corinthians 6:19)
The gift of salvation, the changing of our heart, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts is only possible through the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. The act of being baptized symbolically identifies us as belonging to God, and is a testimony to the world of what God has already done inside of us. It is a public confession of our sins, and an acknowledgement that we are now new creations through the work of the Cross.
What was the Purpose of John the Baptist’s Water Baptism of People?
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’” Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins….’I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” (NKJ: Matthew 3:1-6,11)
John the Baptist’s ministry was to proclaim to the people of Israel that their Messiah was coming. In preparation for His coming, John was baptizing people in the River Jordan as a symbol of their repentance for their sins. However, this was a much deeper act than we might realize. Up till now, the Jews believed that they were God’s chosen and would all be going to heaven based on their heritage alone; whereas, the Gentiles, except for a handful of them that were proselytes into the Jewish faith, were all going to hell. The Jew’s had been looking to their national heritage for their salvation rather than looking to their Messiah. This public act of baptism for a Jew was a public confession that their Jewish heritage was not enough to save them, and that they were repenting of their sins and looking forward to the coming of their Messiah for their salvation. This is made clear in the following verses:
“Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’” (NKJ: Acts 19:4)
“…after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.” (NKJ: Acts 13:24)
“John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (NKJ: Mark 1:4)
John’s baptism was a baptism symbolizing the repentance of one’s sins, and of an acknowledgement that salvation was not to be found in one’s heritage, but in believing and trusting in the coming Messiah. John’s baptism was not a baptism of salvation, since Jesus Christ had not yet come and made His sacrifice on the Cross for us; thus, enabling us to be cleansed of our sins and to receive eternal salvation through His work. The distinguishment between John’s baptism and the baptism of salvation is made clear in the following quote from John the Baptist in a verse from the book of Matthew, “’I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” (NKJ: Matthew 3:11) Here we have John specifically making a clear distinction between the baptisms that he was performing, and the baptism that would occur once the Messiah, Jesus Christ, had come. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance looking forward to the Messiah and His saving work on the Cross that would enable people to receive a new heart, to have the Holy Spirit indwell them, and to receive the gift of salvation. In contrast, the baptism subsequent to the coming of the Messiah, that is, the baptism we have today, is a baptism looking back to the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, and to the work He has already done in our hearts.
Why Did Jesus Insist on Being Baptized by John the Baptist?
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” (NKJ: Matthew 3:13-17)
Jesus Christ came to this earth to pave the way for all of us to be able to spend eternity in heaven with God and Himself. This was accomplished by Jesus taking on Himself the sins of the whole world, and then giving His life on the Cross for those sins. His act on the Cross made it possible for us to come before God, in His name, as being sinless. For Jesus Christ to be able to make His sacrifice for us on the Cross, He had to actually be one of us, that is, a man in all ways. And as a man, He, though being sinless, insisted on receiving John’s baptism of repentance not for His sins, but for the sins of all of us. Harry Ironside put it simply, “He who was to take the sinner’s place came to be baptized of John, that he might thereby be identified with sinners for whom he was to lay down his life.” (H.A. Ironside, “Expository Notes on the Gospel of Matthew”, page 29)
Is Water Baptism a Requirement for Salvation?
We are commanded by the Scriptures to be baptized once we are saved, and we see this link throughout the Scriptures. We see in the Bible that those who repent of their sins and give their lives over to Jesus Christ are generally baptized shortly after. Hence we have a strong association between salvation and baptism. However, this association should not be taken to an improper conclusion that baptism is a requirement of salvation, for it is definitely not.
As we have previously discussed, water baptism is a symbolic representation of what has already occurred in the heart of a believer. The accounts of conversions in the Bible by the disciples usually make mention of baptism following a person’s conversion. Unfortunately, this link of water baptism to salvation in the Scriptures has lead some people to take water baptism from its proper place as a symbolic act to the place of being a requirement for salvation.
One of the key passages to which I like to point, in regards to water baptism not being a requirement for salvation, is a quote from Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. He first begins by showing enjoyment for only having baptized a few people, “I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)” (NKJ: I Corinthians 1:14-16) Paul’s words would utterly make no sense if baptism was a prerequisite for salvation, in that Paul would be showing joy that he did not bring complete salvation to many people. Paul then makes a clear distinction between the gospel of salvation and baptism with his subsequent statement, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” (NKJ: I Corinthians 1:17) This statement could never have been made by Paul if water baptism were a requirement for salvation. For if water baptism were a requirement for salvation, then Paul’s statement would in essence be saying that Jesus Christ did not send Paul to save people, which we know is not the case. Furthermore, in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul summarized the gospel message, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,…” (NKJ: I Corinthians 15:1-4) In his address, there is absolutely no mention of baptism.
Our sins were paid for on the Cross by Jesus Christ. Through repentance of our sins we are forgiven. Throughout the Scriptures, this link of repentance and forgiveness is made:
” Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (NKJ: Acts 3:19)
” Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (NKJ: Acts 5:31)
In contrast, we do not see this link made to water baptism, that is, a link between water baptism and forgiveness of sins.
The Scriptures provide us with an excellent example for the relationship of salvation and baptism. In the book of Acts, we have the story of the conversion of Cornelius along with his friends and family, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days..” (NKJ: Acts 10:44-48) Peter, upon seeing that they had been already saved, then commanded that they be baptized. In this passage, we can see that the people are first saved, evidenced by their receiving of the Holy Spirit, and then are baptized. The relationship is clearly seen here, baptism follows salvation, and is not a requirement for salvation.
However, in my opinion, the strongest argument against water baptism being a requirement for salvation is the fact that such a belief would contradict other Scriptures. When interpreting Scriptures, one must always use the principle that the Scriptures do not contradict themselves. Therefore, whenever one is faced with various potential interpretations of certain Scriptures, one can immediately dismiss those interpretations that contradict other Scriptures. Such is the case with water baptism, and the improper interpretation that it is a requirement for salvation. For the Scriptures are very clear that salvation is not of works, but solely from faith (Note: From a biblical standpoint, the term “works” refers to required actions deemed to be needed to earn salvation). This is evidenced by the following Scriptures:
”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (NKJ: Ephesians 2:8-9)
”Then they said to Him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” (NKJ: John 6:28-29)
”And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household’.” (NKJ: Acts 16:30-31)
”that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (NKJ: Romans 10:9-10)
(Additional verses: John 1:12,Philippians 3:8-9,Galations 2:16,Romans 3:21-30)
Based on the above Scriptures, it is very evident that our salvation is not based on any type of works or deeds on our part, such as water baptism, but simply based on a saving belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When Jesus Christ was hanging on the Cross, He took upon Himself the sins of the whole world—past, present, and future. Through His work, and His work alone, we can receive salvation through repentance and faith in Him as Lord and Savior. To try and add to His work on the Cross is to say that what He did was not sufficient, “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” (NKJ: Galatians 2:21) Placing a requirement on salvation such as water baptism is to try and add to the work of our Lord and Savior on the Cross.
It should be noted that there are some verses in the Bible that have, at times, been misinterpreted as pointing to water baptism as a requirement for salvation. The following are several of those verses with related comments regarding their proper interpretation:
- “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” (NKJ: John 3:5)
Some point to the word “water” in this verse as referring to water baptism; however, when this verse is viewed in the context of the passage to which it is contained, this interpretation does not appear to be valid, “Jesus answered and said to him, ’Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” (NKJ: John 3:3-8) Based on the context of the passage, where Jesus is making a comparison of natural birth to spiritual birth, it would follow that in the phrase “born of water and the Spirit,” the phrase “born of water” would be referring to being born of the flesh, i.e. a natural birth, as compared to being born of the Spirit when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It has also been conjectured that the phrase “born of water and the Spirit” is singularly referring to the Holy Spirit. However, this verse should not be used to point to baptism as being a requirement for salvation.
- ‘”He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” (NKJ: Mark 16:16)
Note here that the second part of this verse does not mention baptism. Those who will be condemned and not enter heaven are those that do not believe. We are called to be baptized by God once we are saved; therefore, baptism is linked to salvation, but it is not a requirement. It is also very possible that the baptism being referred to here is not water baptism, but baptism of the Holy Spirit (for a further discussion on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, see the Bible study on the Holy Spirit).
-“…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 good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” (NIV: I Peter 3:21)
It is not the act of being immersed in water, i.e. “the removal of dirt from the body”, that saves us, but it is “the pledge of a good conscience toward God” that saves us. Peter tries to be very clear in this verse by pointing at the physical act of baptism and saying to the reader that he is “not” referring to the literal act of baptism as that which “saves.” We are given further clarification in that the verse goes on to say that we are saved through the work of Jesus Christ, “It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Again, baptism is an outward act symbolizing what has already happened to us on the inside.
”’And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord’.” (NKJ: Acts 22:16)
This verse can be confusing, and its meaning is debated among biblical scholars. The key in understanding this verse, as many scholars will point out, is that contextually here, Paul’s “calling on the name of the Lord” preceded baptism and the washing away of sins. Earlier, in the book of acts, we have Peter saying, regarding a group of Gentiles that had listened to his gospel message, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” (NKJ: Acts 10:47) All throughout the book of Acts, the disciples never called to have anyone baptized lest they had already received salvation. Our sins are washed away through calling on the name of the Lord, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (NKJ: Romans 10:13), and not through baptism.
Is it Proper to Give an Infant Water Baptism?
Those who baptize babies believe that, by this act, they are regenerating the child and making them a member of the family of God. It is viewed as a necessary act to begin the spiritual growth of the child.
In determining the propriety of infant baptism, we must look back to the basic purpose of baptism, that is, and outward action symbolizing what has already happened on the inside of a person through their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The foundation of salvation is faith, and without faith there is no salvation. Salvation through faith is received by each person based on their own personal decision, and in no way is imparted based on the actions of others.
Biblical water baptism follows, and does not proceed salvation. To be baptized, one must have already confessed their sins and received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior—an act not possible of an infant. Therefore, baptism of infants is not Scriptural.
However, I don’t want to just stop at this point and dismiss the whole act of bringing up an infant before the church. Many church congregations have the practice of what is sometimes called “baby dedications,” in which infants are brought before the church congregation to receive prayer for blessings and protection. As I see this dedication process, it has a two-fold purpose. First, the baby dedication is a time to ask God for protection over the child that they may be protected from Satan, and have hearts that are open to hear God’s Word. And secondly, the baby dedication is a time for the parents to come before the congregation to dedicate their lives to provide for their child a Godly home where they will have every opportunity to feel God’s presence and to one day accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Even in the Scriptures, we have Jesus blessing children:
“But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” (NKJ: Mark 10:14-16)
We should be sure, though, not to confuse His blessing of children as being synonymous with baptizing them. For even though He blessed them, they still needed to personally accept Him as their Lord and Savior to receive salvation.
In Water Baptism, is Complete Immersion Under Water Required?
In reviewing the Scriptural passages relating to baptism, it would appear evident that in New Testament times, the mode of baptism was complete immersion. This can be seen in the following verses:
-“Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there.” (John 3:23)
John is noted as baptizing because “there was much water there.” This is a strong indication that he needed a sufficient amount of water to facilitate a complete immersion of a person’s body into the water. Otherwise, the amount of water would not have been an issue.
-“It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water…” (NKJ: Mark 1:9-10)
When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He is noted as “coming up from the water,” which points to Him having been completely immersed.
Furthermore, we have Paul in the book of Romans apparently pointing to the significance of how water baptism is administered as it relates to the event to which it is representing, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (NKJ: Romans 6:3-5) Through baptism, we are symbolically being “buried with Him” and “raised.”
Full immersion baptism may not be the only valid mode of baptism; however, it would appear to be consistent with the Scriptures. Furthermore, it most fully and properly depicts the events to which it is meant to symbolize, that of Christ’s death and burial, and His subsequent resurrection on the third day.
However, I would like to note here that the subject of the proper mode of baptism is a heavily debated subject in which there are some reasonably valid arguments for other modes of baptism, e.g. partial immersion or sprinkling, being scripturally acceptable.
Who Can Receive Water Baptism?
As we have previously discussed, water baptism is to occur only after a person has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It follows then that water baptism is only for those people who have received salvation through Jesus Christ. Water baptism has no meaning or value to those people who are not saved.
Comentarios