Misconceptions about Baptism
by Shane Carrington
Few religious subjects are more misunderstood than baptism. Yet this is a very important subject. Some form of the word is found 83 times in the New King James Version of the New Testament. God has much to say about it! If God only addresses a subject once, we should consider it important, but with so many verses on baptism, we also need to focus clearly on this subject.
How do you understand any Bible subject? Here are some important considerations. First, find every place the subject occurs. Second, view each verse in its proper context. Third, view each verse in harmony with every other passage on the subject.
Regardless the Bible subject, this will lead you to the truth. Here is what I have tried to get people to do when studying baptism. First, use a concordance to look up every verse where the word is found. Second, separate the verses discussing water baptism from other baptisms. Third, ask, “What is the purpose of baptism in this verse?” Doing this leads to the truth - on any subject! Let’s consider some common misconceptions of baptism and what the Bible really says.
“Sprinkling And Pouring Are Valid Forms of Baptism.”
This is a common practice in churches, but in Rom. 6:3,4 and Col. 2:11,12 the text says we are “buried with Him” when we are baptized. So immersion, not sprinkling and pouring, is what scripture teaches. And we need to follow scripture, not human tradition.
“Infant Baptism Is Approved By God.”
But Acts 2:38 says repentance must come before baptism, and Mark 16:16 says belief must precede it. Baptism is for sinners who believe and repent, so infants do not fit. They are neither sinners, nor can they believe or repent. So again, regardless what others say, we need to follow scripture by baptizing people who are proper candidates.
“Water Baptism Is Combined With Holy Spirit Baptism.”
This belief is primarily found in “charismatic” circles. But by the time Paul wrote Eph. 4:5, he said, there was “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” We have no more right to promote two baptisms than to promote two Lords. When put in light of the great commission, we can see that the “one baptism” God intended to last until the end of time is water baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:16). Holy Spirit baptism had a limited usage for a brief time, but God wants water baptism taught until the end of time.
“Baptism Is To Enter A Denomination.”
Since denominations did not exist in the first century when scripture was being penned, scriptural baptism could not have been to put people into denominations. In fact, scripture declares the true purpose of baptism today. Both Gal. 3:26,27 and Rom. 6:3,4 declare that we are “baptized into Christ.” It is into His fellowship and salvation we are baptized, not into a man-made religious organization. Into what denomination were first century disciples baptized? None, for none existed. Baptism puts us in Christ, not a denomination.
“Baptism Is An Outward Sign of An Inward Salvation.”
Does scripture teach that you are saved first and baptized later? Or does God’s word teach baptism as an essential step in being saved? Read the following two verses - and every other passage on the subject - and make up your own mind. “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins … ‘” (Acts 2:38). “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Baptism is essential to salvation, not an indication of previous salvation.
“It Is Wrong To Be Baptized Twice.”
But that was not the case with disciples in Acts 19:1-5. They found out their first baptism was not valid, so they were “baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 19:5). One scriptural baptism is all that a person needs to do, but if there are questions or concerns about a previous baptism, they should be baptized scripturally. God wants us confident, not in doubt.
“Viewing Baptism As Essential Voids God’s Grace.”
But God’s grace and obedient faith are partners, not enemies. Read Titus 2:11-14; Gal. 5:6; 3:26-29; Acts 2:38,40,41. Of these, especially notice these words: “For you are all the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26,27). In these verses we learn that we become sons of God by faith … when we are baptized. Trusting God enough to be baptized unto salvation is a proper response to God’s grace, not a contradiction. Remember Jericho: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (Heb. 11:30). God’s grace coupled with their obedient faith led to blessing. When our faith leads us to respond in God’s way - baptism for the remission of sins - He blesses us with salvation.
In conclusion, we see that baptism is a very important part of God’s gospel plan for saving us from sin. Baptism depicts the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. But baptism is also when God saves us through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Have you been baptized … scripturally?