Baptism is one of the most widely debated topics in all of Christianity. What was instituted as a way to outwardly profess the faith that we have claimed in our own lives is hotly contested among believers. Some people argue about the method of baptism, the importance of baptism and any other number of aspects surrounding the act of baptism. If you’ve been baptized, it’s important that you understand the topic so you can answer questions that may arise. Additionally, if you’ve never been baptized, it’s a good idea to be educated about why the practice is so important. While many well-meaning Christians want to bicker and argue about the topic, that was never the purpose of baptism.
What is Baptism?
1 Peter 3:21-22 (NKJV)
There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has now gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him.
In this Scripture, Peter declares that baptism is the answer of a “good conscience” toward God. It does not wash away the filth of the flesh, also known as sin. Instead, baptism serves as a way for us to show others that we have placed our faith in Christ while also showing God that we are serious about fully committing to this newfound relationship.
When the people in your life see you being baptized, they understand that you are publicly announcing the faith that you have professed. If you are married, you probably went through some sort of ceremony. During that ceremony, there was probably an exchange of rings. Those rings serve as a symbol to those around you that you are fully committed to your spouse. In the same vein, baptism serves as a way for us to show others that we have fully committed our lives to Christ.
Being baptized shows God and the people around you that you are starting a new relationship. That new relationship will be the guiding force in your life and every action and behavior that you perform going forward will be related to that decision. It’s a beautiful gesture that indicates your new life in Christ.
Immersion vs. Sprinkling
One of the most hotly debated aspects of baptism surrounds the method around it. Some denominations practice sprinkling, where the believer stands or kneels and the pastor or priest sprinkles water over their head. Conversely, other denominations practice total submersion, where the believer stands in the water beside the church leader and is tilted backwards into the water, fully submerged into it.
No, there are no written examples in the New Testament of believers being sprinkled with water. The stories contained in the New Testament of believers being baptized always involve the convert being fully submerged in the water. However, there are plenty of modern church practices that are not discussed anywhere in the New Testament. Sunday School, midweek Bible study and any other number of modern church traditions were developed over the years. The fact that sprinkling a new convert with water isn’t discussed in the New Testament does not mean that God condemns the practice.
The Bible is pretty clear about the things that believers aren’t supposed to do. While it’s not a rigorous list of dos and don’ts, the Bible doesn’t mince words about what behaviors aren’t acceptable. There is no condemnation of sprinkling or submersion, which should allow us to walk in the confidence that the act of our baptism is far more important than the method.
Does Baptism Save Me?
Ephesians 2:8-9 (TPT)
For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ. So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works of human striving.
There is no physical act that we can perform that saves our souls. The grace of God and our faith in His saving power are the only things that can bring us into relationship with Him. While baptism serves as an outward expression of our inward reception of His grace, it does not save us.
The Bible uses several references to the relationship between a groom (Christ) and his bride (the church), so let’s revisit that earlier example. If you are a member of the wedding party for your friends or family members, you were a part of their special day. However, the commitment that was made was between the bride and groom. You may have been at the front of the church and played a part in the ceremony, but are you a part of the marriage? Of course not. In the same vein, the act of participating in baptism does not put us into right relationship with God. If it did, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would have been for nothing.
Our works, including baptism, are not sufficient when seeking the forgiveness of our sins. Instead, the acts that we perform after we are saved are simply a reaction to the covenant relationship with God. Simply walking into a church and sitting down doesn’t make you a child of God. Similarly, getting into a baptistry or being sprinkled by a church leader doesn’t save your soul.
Christ’s finished work on Calvary and His glorious resurrection were the only actions necessary to save you. There is no gesture that you can perform that will earn your salvation. If salvation could be earned through our works, Christ would not have had to give His life as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Do I Need to Be Baptized?
Matthew 28:19 (TPT)
Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
At the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16). He did this as a way to show the people in attendance that He was fully committed to fulfilling God’s purpose for His life. In the same vein, we are baptized for the same reason.
So, the answer to the question, “Should I be baptized” is a resounding yes. If it is physically possible for you to be baptized, you should do so. Obviously, some people have physical limitations that may make the process of being baptized difficult. For instance, the thief on the cross who Jesus promised entry into Heaven (Luke 23:43) didn’t have the option of climbing off the cross and being baptized before he died. Did he get into Heaven? Absolutely, Jesus promised him that. Was he baptized? Obviously not.
However, instead of looking for reasons to not be baptized, we should look for the opportunity to do so. It is a beautiful celebration that shows the people around us that we are beginning a new relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. It does not save your soul, but it publicly declares that you are saved and are a new creation in Christ.
Obviously, there are more questions about baptism than we could ever answer in a single piece here. However, some facts remain. Baptism is a necessary step after your conversion. However, baptism itself does not save your soul or guarantee your entry into Heaven. In order to guarantee your eternity, you must accept Christ as your Savior, believe in His finished work and confess that newfound faith to someone else (Romans 10:9). The church that you choose to connect with will have their own procedure for how baptisms work, and there are no wrong options. But take advantage of the opportunity to show the people around you that you have accepted God’s grace and forgiveness and are beginning a new life with Him.
A Closing Prayer:
God, thank You for saving my soul. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and making me a new creature in You. I want to constantly live my life in a way that shows others that I have devoted my life to Your service. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.