He said believe. Therefore, we can see from the Scriptures that baptism is a physical action that takes place when one desires to become a Christian. 4. Those passages are difficult to understand if water baptism is necessary for salvation. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven., And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and minister of all. . Do the Scriptures teach that baptism is only a spiritual action? 3. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. God said that we should be baptized for remission of sins, and that is the rule. Why would someone who disbelieves be baptized? Fairchild, Mary. The Salvation Army believe baptism is unnecessary for salvation. This word does not necessarily mean for; it could also mean since, and thus read, be baptized since you have been forgiven of your sins.. Etymologically, the term means "being born again" (regeneration, or . If Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-7, and 1 Peter 3:21 affirm the need for baptism to be saved, we recognize that all of these aspects, not just one or two, are necessary. The Baptist recipe includes several key beliefs or doctrines: -the Lordship of Jesus Christ -the Bible as the sole written authority for faith and practice -soul competency -salvation from sin and eternal death to forgiveness and eternal life only by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior who is the grace gift of God The arguments used, on the surface, seem to be powerful. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-baptism-700654. : 6. Notice that Paul did not say that you must believe the Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in order to be saved. This clean conscience is the direct result of the remission of sin granted in baptism. Furthermore, the idea that the Apostles were baptized is rendered more plausible by the evidence in John 4:1-2: When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples). Baptism, then, is not necessary to be saved. For example, Acts 2:38 says, Peter said to them, Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Also, Mark 16:16 says, The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. The belief that baptism is necessary for salvation is called baptismal regeneration. John's baptism was called a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1:4,NIV). Baptism is the application of water to an adult, child or infant by an ordained minister in the presence of a church congregation. Jesus indicates that if anyone desires to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, he or she must be like a little child. Psalm 51 represents a psalm, a form of poetry, and a psalm which was written by David after his sin with Bathsheba had been made known (cf. For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, The Bible Teachers Guide, Ecclesiology: Understanding Gods Church. They are in a state of innocence. Collectively, these denominations can be referred to as the "Baptist tradition." The . John clearly says that Caiaphas prophesied regarding Jesus, since he was High Priest that year. Learn Religions, Sep. 3, 2021, learnreligions.com/what-is-baptism-700654. Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7, and Romans 5:1 are just a few of the verses that demonstrate salvation is by faith alone, not by works. Similarly, we see that Cornelius in Acts 10 received the Holy Spirit before baptism, which means that he was saved. This text should not be pressed to say what it does not say. In Acts 2:38, baptism precedes the gift of the Holy Spirit, and therefore the baptism is not in the Holy Spirit. Answer: This argument presupposes that since the baptism of the Apostles is not revealed in the Scriptures that it did not happen. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. If baptism was a work necessary for salvation, then people would have something to boast about. If Peter were speaking about a spiritual baptism that does not involve one getting into the water, why would he speak about the physical substance into which one is baptized? John the Baptist was the first Jew to use baptism to symbolise the forgiveness of sins. Regardless, the Scriptures show also that the punishment of sin is only for those who sin: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin (Deuteronomy 24:16). Some Protestants like to use 1 Corinthians 1:17 to claim that this teaching contradicts the Bible. The Scriptures do not require continual baptism for remission of continual sin. The first premise for baptizing infants is an inference based on the content of some of the Scriptures. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Jesus. The 144,000 most faithful Christians will go to heaven; the rest will live on earth. Baptism is the immersion in water for the remission of sins: And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.. Many churches, following Catholic custom, "baptize" infants at their "christening" by sprinkling a few drops of water on them in an elaborate ceremony. Since God desired for Peter and the other disciples to understand that Gentiles were to hear the Word of life, God poured out His Spirit onto Cornelius and his men to be a sign for Peter, and Peter then understood and had divine testimony to prove it to others (Acts 10:44-47, Acts 11:15-18). We see here that not only do none do good, none even know God. Since God symbolically remits your sin, baptism is not necessary for salvation. The English word "baptism" comes from the Greek baptisma, which refers to "washing, dipping, or immersing something into water.". Belief and confession, then, and not baptism, save. Acts 9:18, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:18, etc. A few denominations consider baptism a form of exorcism from evil spirits. Nevertheless, the foundation of this argument (the idea that needing a baptizer adds a person to salvation) is undermined by Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? No one would argue that Jesus is saying here that His blood is shed because your sins have been remitted. Why, then, should Acts 2:38 be any different? "The Purpose of Baptism in the Christian Life." Denomination: Salvation . The thief died under the old covenant with a personal guarantee from Christ, realities that are not present for us today. Otherwise, the need for baptism still stands.. While there is certainly nothing wrong with being baptized in running water, we see no such requirement in the Scriptures. However, baptism is not the instrument of confirmation, faith is the instrument of confirmation. This spiritual act is not physical nor has any form of physicality. At the same time, baptism is an indispensable part of Christian life (Rom. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Since we know that the sum of Gods word is true (Psalm 119:160) and without contradiction, we must consider the context of the passage and see whether there are some mitigating circumstances. Essentially, the Church of Christ believes that in addition to faith, baptism is required for a person to be saved. If Christ disapproved of this example, would He not have stopped it then? As good students of Gods Word (2 Timothy 2:15), we must always remember that the sum of Gods Word is truth (Psalm 119:160), and we should not introduce contradiction into the text. Catholics view baptism as a sacrament, and rather than simply a symbol of new life, they believe baptism is used by God as a means to communicate grace. Baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation; but, it is not salvific. for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. His salvation was based on faith alone. Baptism is "a meeting place" for the grace of the gospel and the faith of the believer. 1. There are some denominations today that teach that baptism is not a physical action that should be performed; instead, they teach that when Jesus and the Apostles mention baptism, they are speaking about a spiritual act. Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, (Philippians 2:5-11). Baptism cannot be a burial unless one is covered in water. The main difficulty with original sin is found in the way Jesus speaks about children in Matthew 18:1-4 and Mark 9:35-37: In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? So, while baptism is very important, it is not a requirement for salvation. The substance of the message, however, remains the same, and Paul affirms that he preaches the same message as Peter in Galatians 2:6-9: But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not mans person) they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me: but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision (for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles); and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision. 1 MacArthur, J., & Mayhue, R. Furthermore, the antiquity of the text is verified by its use by Irenaeus in the late second century (Apostolic Constitution 6.83). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation. It is well-known that if an example is not valid, an argument cannot be supported by it. Your email address will not be published. It does not wash away sin but symbolizes the forgiveness of sin through faith in Christ. Let us examine the passage that Paul quotes in Romans 3:10ff, Psalm 53:1-3: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none that doeth good. If the disciples were out baptizing people during Christs ministry, it is very likely that they had already been baptized as well. Meet John the Baptist: The Greatest Man to Ever Live, Christian Reformed Church Beliefs and Practices. This is the immersion that saves. God perhaps does not visit the iniquity on the first generation of sinful people, but perhaps on a later generation of sinful people. This act empowers believers for their Christian service. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void. While we realize that Paul is using the metaphor baptism as burial, the metaphor only makes sense if we realize that baptism is immersion. When, then, should one be baptized? Every group recognizes the need for belief, and Paul says that belief can come only when one hears the Word of God. ), all indications show that they were baptized in water, not in the Spirit. Do we not even today say, The apple does not fall far from the tree? If the fathers involve themselves in some sin, it is very likely that children will also. 2 Samuel 12). (Acts 22:16) So for us, it is not as much about what we give during Baptism (i.e., a profession of faith) but it is about what we get, which is salvation. Both infants and Hebrew converts were circumcised. Phil 1:29), all praise and glory go to God. We use the term in the same way today. Argument: Cornelius was saved before baptism. John 4:1-2 says, Now when Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was winning and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples were). If salvation came through baptism, it would make sense to see Christ baptizing people. If you refuse baptism after salvation, I would doubt your conversion. Baptism starts the process. In what way it is a sign, is unclear. Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. Argument: What if an airplane crashes into the desert, and a Christian on that plane converts everyone but cannot baptize them, and they all die without water. What verses are commonly used to support the necessity of baptism for salvation? As it is written: After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him (Hosea 6:2). By going through this symbolic act, we proclaim to accept Christ's . An appropriate parallel is the Lords Supper: the bread and the fruit of the vine represent the body and blood of our Lord, but no one would say that we are not to physically partake of these emblems because they have symbolic value. That is not the intent; the point is to show that a large number of people came out to see John. There is no mention of baptism. Such persons ought to consider the Scriptures discussed in this lesson and be immersed in water for the remission of their sin. (3) Baptism is necessary for salvation. Despite these differences, there are also many theological similarities between the two denominations. It is a kind of Americanized short-hand for the fifth of the core theological principles of Calvinist theology (perseverance of the saints) articulated by the Synod of Dort (1618-1619). fully wet) (Strongs Dictionary of Hebrew/Greek Words). In the New Testament, the significance of baptism is seen more clearly. Fairchild, Mary. There is no mention of baptism. Argument: Baptism in water was only under John the Baptist, and was for repentance; Christs baptism is with fire.. The main difference between traditional Christianity and Seventh Day Adventism is the observance of the Saturday Sabbath and the emphasis on the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Would we say that this verse denies the need for belief and confession, because it only mentions repentance? Verse 3 figuratively says believers have been baptized into Christ and into His death. How could water factor into Peters mind if baptism were simply some spiritual act? To believe and not be baptized is to tread in very dangerous water. Is he saved?. Is Paul adding someone to the salvation that comes through Christ alone by positing that someone must preach the Word? Therefore, we see that Christ died on the cross for our sins and to perform the Fathers will, which was for His Son to humble Himself so that He may be exalted and given all authority. . We believe the Bible when it says that Baptism washes away sin. He left baptism out. As with the Lords Supper, so with baptism: both of these events are rich in symbolic value, but we nevertheless need to physically engage in them. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately (Acts 16:31-33). Romans 5:12-17 is often used to try to show that we have inherited sin from Adam: Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. All rights reserved. Baptist has the core belief system intact. It says nothing about being condemned because of not being baptized. As we will see, many other passages that are not written in poetry declare children to be without sin. Argument: Jesus did not baptize anyone; therefore, why dont we follow His example? Christ had not yet died, nor was raised; the work of salvation had not yet been completed (cf. The context demonstrates that Pauls point is about the unity of Christians, how Christians are to work together in one body; therefore, Paul is not speaking about the nature of baptism per se, but that when we were immersed in water, we did so by one Spirit and were brought into one Body. The feeling that it should be omitted comes, on admission, only on doctrinal evidence from scholars, that, well, baptism for salvation is not spelled out anywhere else, hence, this is a later addition. In the end, all New Testament textual critics will be forced to admit that the argument against the text is without sufficient evidence, and that there is little reason to believe that the text is false. There is no reason, then, to allege that Christs baptism is not in water. No. The main difficulty in this argument is found in the meaning of the Greek word baptizo: to immerse, submerge, to make overwhelmed (i.e. 3. They posit unlikely situations, and are really self-defeating. A group of elders usually lead these churches and are responsible for establishing the doctrines, worship, and teachings of the church. Used by permission. Baptism is a sacrament. What Does the Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage? The focus is never on the baptizer, but that one is baptized. 1 Corinthians 15:2-3. This is comparable to Matthews use of all in Matthew 3:5: Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan. Christian Denominations & What they believe: Water Baptism Water Baptism: When available, all of the teachings and practices are from the website of the organization itself. In some denominations, baptism is administered in three parts: one is dipped three times under the water, once each in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We can see, then, that Paul has previously been elevated beyond his position. Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:1-36, Joel 2:28-32), and when God showed Peter that Gentiles were to receive the Word of life (Acts 10:44-45, 11:15-16). Now that we have looked at the Scriptures, let us look at other arguments that are used against baptism. Salvation is a gift of God, not based on our works. 6:3-4), Christian identity (Gal. John the Baptist was sent by God to spread the news of the coming Messiah,Jesus Christ. It is entirely possible, therefore, that the Apostles were baptized and yet such was not revealed. Yet who would claim that Caiaphas was saved? It is a picture representing the profound spiritual truths of death, resurrection,and cleansing. What stood out most in the reading and why? Updated on March 09, 2020. Let us consider the example of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8:38: And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Infant baptism is not practiced. This evidence allows us to reach two possible conclusions: Either option demonstrates that the inference made concerning these two texts is not valid: just because a household is baptized does not mean that any and all children present are baptized. which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21). In line with Cyprian (a third-century bishop of Carthage), most Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and some Protestants believe baptism is the "laver of salvation." According to this. Answer: We can see here a classic example of inferring an answer despite the fact that one has been given. Sponsors or godparents are at the baptism. Therefore, the absence of the term baptism in Romans 10:9-10 does not negate the need for baptism. And how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? Every detailed account of conversion in the book of Acts includes a baptism. While there is nothing particularly wrong with baptizing in this way, the Scriptures nowhere demand it. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. They believe this way because there are biblical passages that seem to indicate that each of these actions is necessary for salvation. Your email address will not be published. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were greatly astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. The Catholic Church teaches that baptism is "necessary for salvation" (CCC 1257). [2015] [A Study of Denominations] - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, The Church Treasury, II: Other Considerations. God describes the propensity of children to follow in their parents footsteps. Answer: Let us consider 1 Corinthians 12:13: For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. Compare major beliefs of seven different Christian denominations: Anglican / Episcopal, Assembly of God, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic. The above is highly unlikely, especially in view of Matthew 26:28: For this is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins.. Answer: Romans 10:9-10 does indeed say that belief and confession are necessary: Because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Church of God Christians believe in baptism with the Holy Ghost, which follows sanctification and is revealed by an experience of speaking in tongues. They believe that a person must believe, repent, confess, and be baptized in order to be saved. Since salvation is a matter of individual choice, and since a baby cannot confess its belief in Christ, cannot repent of its sins if it had any and cannot choose or express a choice to be baptized, even if it wanted to, we can conclude that a baby is not lost to begin with. Can children understand fully the precepts of the Lord, especially infants? How can it be that receiving a little child is as receiving the Son and the Father if the little child is in his sins? Answer: 1 Peter 3:21 is yet another explicit statement showing the need for baptism, therefore, to refute it, one must turn to the manipulation of the text. Note that Paul does not say here that belief and confession alone save. We see that the disciples of John were baptized again, this time in the name of Jesus, and then they had hands laid on them and received the Spirit. We can see, then, that even if immersion in water is not explicitly mentioned, all evidence points to that conclusion in all the passages cited. By no means! In many passages it is clear that baptism in the Spirit is not under consideration. The question we must ask is whether Paul is trying to show that our baptism was in the Spirit or whether our baptism in water was done in accordance with the one Spirit. It is also telling that every single translation, even the interpretive translations, translate Acts 2:38 as for as a statement of purpose. A general biblical definition of baptism is a rite of washing with water as a sign of religious purification and consecration. This rite of cleansing with water as a means of achieving ritual purity was practiced frequently in the Old Testament (Exodus 30:1920). Psalm 22, Isaiah 53). Many denominations will have an official Statement of Fundamental belief and others will have a more fluid offering of their beliefs. Baptism is God's act, a divine testimony to what "grace alone" really means, whereby He imparts the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation to individuals, children and adults alike. Does the fact that baptism can be understood in symbolic terms mean that we can dispense with the actual physical baptism? Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Jon Tyson. Also, in Mark 16:16, it says, the one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but then says, the one who does not believe will be condemned. A person is condemned for not believing. Johns baptism was for repentance; the baptism in the name of Christ is for the remission of sin through His blood. Answer: This argument does not follow (the official term used for this is non sequitur). This moment varies by the individual, and some who have mental handicaps may never reach that moment. Baptists believe that Jesus gave two ordinances to be carried out by a church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. The fact that Jesus and many others were baptized in rivers and other such sources of moving water is cited as evidence (cf. Argument: Jesus, and only Jesus, has performed the work of salvation. Christian denominations differ widely in their teachings about the purpose of baptism. According to The Christian Courier, the wife of the Salvation Army founder was a female preacher. Historically, Protestant denominations like Presbyterian, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Assemblies of God, and many others argue that baptism is necessary for obedience but not necessary for salvation. Let us examine the progression of this belief and to see what the Scriptures teach. To insist on baptism as necessary for salvation would be to impinge on the limitless sovereignty of God, one of the essentials of the Reformed theological tradition. We can see in Acts 10:2 that all the house of Cornelius is said to fear God. (I also baptized the household of Stephanus. Related Topics: Ecclesiology (The Church), Greg Brown earned his MA in religion and MA in teaching from Trinity International University, a MRE from Liberty University, and a PhD in theology from Louisiana Baptist University. Baptism begins God's work of saving us by cleansing us of sin and beginning the work of renewing us fully into the image of Christ.