Scripture is clear on the subject of baptism, and we would like to take up a few common misconceptions about baptism, pointing out what Scripture has to say to us. Let us seek God’s mind as revealed in His Word.
Is baptism obedience to a command?
Baptism is not the obedience of the Christian to a command, for there is no such command in the Word of God. In every case, the command is rather to the baptizer, not to the one being baptized. To refer to baptism as a command brings the idea of ordinances into Christianity as a means of blessing, which is entirely opposed to the spirit of Christianity. Of course, the one needing baptism must, of necessity, submit to it, as it was never forced on anyone, but the responsibility is always placed on the baptizer, not on the one being baptized. Baptism is viewed as a privilege for the baptized person, and there is a corresponding responsibility to that privilege. See Acts 8:3636And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Acts 8:36). This is very different from obedience to a command.
Is baptism a sign or public confession that we are already dead with Christ?
The idea that baptism is a confession of, or witness to, a state in which the one baptized is already is never found in Scripture. (Of course, that state may be there all the while, through real faith.) It is rather done in view of salvation — salvation in this world from the power of sin. Our Lord said in Mark 16:1616He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16), “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” while we read in Acts 2:2828Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. (Acts 2:28), “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Baptism is in view of blessing, not on account of its being present already, although it may be present. Many others scriptures attest to the same truth.
Is baptism connected with the assembly and the body of Christ?
No, baptism is not directly connected with either the assembly or the body of Christ. Baptism is limited to the sphere of profession on earth, while the church or assembly is a heavenly body. Baptism is a kingdom ordinance, confined to this earth, and the truth concerning it is not part of the truth of the church.
Scripture never contemplates a believer who goes on as a member of the body of Christ, taking part in the remembrance of the Lord, and enjoying the privileges of the assembly without being baptized. Until he is baptized, he cannot be looked upon as being part of Christian profession here on earth. However, to mix kingdom truth with assembly truth is to confuse things that differ.
Is baptism a collective responsibility?
No, Scripture presents baptism as an individual responsibility, not a collective one. In every case in the Word of God, the baptizer brought before the non-baptized the privilege and responsibility of being baptized, and the subject submitted to it. At no time was it ever done as a collective responsibility.
Is baptism properly done in a public place, where others can look on?
Scripture never says anything about its being a public act, or whether others should witness it. It may be done in this way and other believers who are present may rejoice, while unbelievers can be convicted by it, but it need not be a public event. The significance of baptism rests with the name placed upon us, not whether others have witnessed it.
Should there be a “waiting period” before a new believer is baptized, in order to be sure that his faith is real?
When individuals confessed Christ in the early days of the church, in every case they were told about the privileges and responsibilities of baptism and were baptized right away. To be sure, it might be possible that one whose faith was not real would be baptized, and this happened with Simon Magus (Acts 8:13-2313Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. (Acts 8:13‑23)), who was afterward proved to be false and not really saved. However, when one confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, he by baptism should be admitted right away to the place where the Lordship of Christ is owned and where all the privileges of Christianity are enjoyed.
Is Christian household baptism the same as infant baptism?
No, they are quite different. Infant baptism is connected with the serious error that teaches that baptism confers new life, and it goes back as far as the second century A.D. It confuses administrative forgiveness with judicial forgiveness. Thus small children are baptized in some Christian groups with the thought that this actually saves them judicially in the sight of God and that by this rite they become part of the body of Christ, the church. Again, this is a serious error that has no basis in Scripture.
Christian household baptism is often done by Christian parents who, wanting to bring their children up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord,” put their children under the Lordship of Christ by baptism.
Does baptism impart new life in Christ?
No, baptism is never connected with the salvation of the soul. The expression “born of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:55Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)) refers to the action of the Spirit of God, using the Word of God (the water), to impart new life to a lost soul. This is entirely a work of God, and no action of man has any part in it. Baptism is connected with salvation from the power of sin, not from the penalty of sin.
Should one who has not been baptized by immersion (for example, by sprinkling) be re-baptized?
The importance of baptism rests with the name that is placed upon the individual, not with the mode by which it is done. While Scripture is clear that immersion is what is intended, as giving expression to the real meaning of the act, yet a faulty mode of baptism does not invalidate it. The one in question has been brought into the house of God and initiated into the sphere of discipleship. It is not made more valid by repeating the act in the proper way.
These questions have been raised at various times in the history of the church, and even today they are often wrongly understood. The answers given are brief, but we trust are according to the Word of God.
W. J. Prost