SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM

I want to ask each reader a very important question. The question is: "Have you been scripturally baptized?" You will notice that I did not ask, "Have you been baptized?" but, "have you been SCRIPTURALLY baptized?" There is a vast difference between the two questions. Many people have submitted to some act which they call baptism. By this, I mean, many have been led into the water and have been immersed. But it takes more than immersion in water for one to be baptized scripturally. Others have gone through an act referred to as baptism by having water poured over them or water sprinkled upon them. There are many false ideas being believed and practiced by mankind relative to the subject of baptism. That is why I ask the question, "Have you been scripturally baptized?" Now let's look at three requirements of scriptural baptism.

The first requirement of scriptural baptism is that scriptural baptism must be administered to a person who is prepared for it. The candidate must be aware of what is being done. For this reason (among others), an infant is not a fit subject to be baptized. One who is scripturally baptized must prepare the heart by FAITH. The inspired Hebrew writer said if one comes to God, that person must have faith, not only do they have to have faith but they must have it in such a way that leads them to diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). That means to do everything possible to be pleasing to God. So, how is this faith produced? Faith is produced by the hearing of the Word of God (Romans 10:17). We learn here that unless one can hear, understand and believe the testimony of God's Word, that one cannot be scripturally baptized. Also, mandatory to scriptural baptism is the preparation of the life of the candidate. This is performed by REPENTANCE. Repentance is a change of direction, a reversal, a complete turnaround. One must be filled with godly sorrow because of sins committed against God. Hear the apostle Paul again, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation..." (2 Corinthians 7:10). This repentance results in a reformation of life and actions. It is a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. Thus, one who has not turned from their sins cannot be scripturally baptized (Luke 3:7-8). Scriptural baptism must be preceded by an acknowledgment of one's belief in Christ. This is done by CONFESSION. Paul states, "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." (Romans 10:9-10). Unless your baptism has been preceded by Faith, Repentance and Confession, you have not been scripturally baptized. So, I ask you again, “Have you been scripturally baptized?”

A second requirement of scriptural baptism is that scriptural baptism must be done in the right way. Baptism is identified as being a BURIAL. The apostle Paul writes to the brethren in Rome: "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." (Romans 6:3-11). This means that scriptural baptism must involve a burial and a resurrection of the candidate; a form of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Christ was crucified, buried and raised from the grave. So likewise, man today must be crucified to the sins of the world (Galatians 2:20), buried in the waters of baptism, and raised as a new creature in Christ. In Acts 8:36-39, we read of a man who was scripturally baptized. We see from this passage of scripture that they (both the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip) were riding along in the chariot and they came to some water. They stopped the chariot and both of them went down into the water. While in the water Philip baptized the man. Then, there was a "coming up out of the water." No other action (short of immersion) will meet these requirements. This is why it is stated that John was "baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there" (John 3:23). Why was much water needed? Because baptism is a burial in water; a going down into the water and a coming up from the water. Pouring water over a candidate, or sprinkling water upon a candidate does not require much water and will not meet the requirements of scriptural baptism. Sprinkling and pouring for baptism is a man-made doctrine that cannot be found on any page of the Bible.

A third requirement of scriptural baptism is that scriptural baptism must be done for the right reason. The apostle Peter states that baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Saul was told to, "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). There is a definite connection between baptism and the removal of or washing away of one's sins. Baptism is NOT done "because of the remission of sins." Baptism is NOT done "as an outward act of some inward grace." Some religious bodies teach that one is baptized because their sins have already been forgiven. Such is not Bible teaching. Scriptural baptism is done as an act of obedience to God and until one obeys God that person is still in his or her sins. I am constantly reminded of the words of Hebrews 5:8-9, "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." Did you hear what the inspired writer said? Eternal salvation to all them that obey Him. You must obey Christ. What did Christ say? "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Have you done that? Have you been scripturally baptized? Dear friend, this is a serious matter. Eternity hangs in the balance.

Adapted by Tobias Hatchett