To Be or Not to Be ... Baptized

To Be or Not to Be ... Baptized

In our last lessons, we talked about salvation and what the Bible teaches about it. We looked at the clear teachings that we are not saved by faith alone, but also we are not saved by works alone. We studied verses like Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. And we also looked at James 2:19-21, and 24: 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Many religious teachers downplay the importance of works, putting a lot of emphasis on faith. While it is crucial to have faith—because as Hebrews 11:6 says: But without faith it is impossible to please Him [or God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him—the Bible is clear that we need to show our obedience to God through our actions, our works.

In our lives, there are many things that require more than just faith, but also works. Being admitted to the university and graduating requires faith that you can do it, but also the work to fill the applications, submit them by the deadline, pay the tuition, show up for classes, studying for the exams, and so on. All these steps are necessary in order to graduate and get the diploma. We understand this, but when it comes to the Bible and salvation, sometimes our logic fails us.

Today, we’ll look at the need to be baptized. What are some of the reasons why someone needs to be baptized? Is baptism something that is necessary?

1.       Do we Need to be Baptized?

When Jesus came to earth, before He started His mission, He went to meet John the Baptist. Now John was baptizing people in the Jordan River. In Matthew 3:13-15, we read: 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

Q: What righteousness is Jesus talking about?

Q: If baptism was not going to be important, then why would Jesus be baptized, especially since He had no sin?

Moreover, throughout the New Testament, Jesus in His teachings often spoke of the need for people to be born again (John 3:3), so that they could enter the Kingdom (John 3:5). In that particular passage, Jesus mentions water, saying: 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Q: How can someone be born of the Spirit?

Q: How can someone be born of Water?

Then, if this was not clear, Jesus talked explicitly about the need for people to be baptized so that they could be saved. In His last words to the apostles, also know as the Great Commission, Jesus said in Mark 16:16: 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

The construct of the sentence is simple, if you do 1 and 2, you will receive 3. If one believes and is baptized, he will be saved. Otherwise, he will not be saved.

Note that every time “baptism” is mentioned in the Bible, it is always directly or indirectly related to salvation. In all ten examples of conversions in the Book of Acts, baptism is part of the salvation process. Believing, confessing, repenting are mentioned in some of them.

Q: Why is that?

Q: Why is baptism mentioned at all times?

Baptism is something that is mentioned in all ten examples, because that was something that these people needed to do. And there was always an urgency attached to the baptism, something that needed to be done right away, after the person was convinced of their need to be saved. In Acts 16:31-33, we read: 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.

Q: When did baptism happen?

In Acts 22:16, we have the conversion of Paul and we read: 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Q: How urgent was baptism for Paul?

2.      Reasons to be Baptized...

The main reasons to be baptized, besides being saved are as follows:

1.         To become disciples of Jesus – Matthew 28:18-20: 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

How does one become a disciple? being baptized, learning and obeying the teachings of Christ.

2.        To be born again – John 3:5

We mentioned this before, not a physical birth, of course, but the symbolic. How can one be born again from the water if baptism is removed from the plan of salvation? What is to replace this water if not the baptism?

3.        To receive forgiveness of sins – Acts 2:38

When Peter talked to the Jews, he told them to: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Q: Did these people have faith?

Q: Did these people have the forgiveness of their sins?

4.        To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38

It’s the same verse, but this time we can highlight that baptism would give these people the gift of the Holy Spirit, which they did not have and would not have unless they were baptized.

5.        To be buried and resurrected with Christ – Romans 6:3-5

In these verses we read, 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Again, if we remove “baptism” from the picture, what is supposed to take its place? How do I get buried with Christ so that I can be raised again?

Please note that faith, repentance, or obedience are not the terms that are associated with this process of being buried and raised again. It is the word “baptism” that is used in this verse and in all other verses that we reviewed.

Finally, a short note about the idea that is taught sometime that “baptism is an outward proclamation of an inward conversion” or “the outward expression of what is in your heart.” While these might sound good, the problem is that they are not based on the Bible. There are no verses that connect baptism with this expression.

“Confession” is the moment and the step where we tell the people around us, with our mouth, that we believe in Jesus as our Lord. So we have faith in our heart, and we express this faith through the confession. This is clearly taught in Romans 10: 9-10, which we studied the last time, but today we’re just going to read: 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. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Conclusion: The Bible teaches clearly on the need to be baptized so that one can be saved. If we remove baptism from the plan of God, we have an incomplete plan, and a person that is very close to being saved, but it is not saved.

In our next lesson, we’ll study about remaining saved and about counting that cost that comes with us remaining in Jesus Christ.

EXTRA THINGS TO STUDY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED FURTHER STUDY OR FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED ALREADY

Who should be baptized?  Those who can and have been taught the gospel, can believe the message, repent of their sins and confess faith in Christ’s ability to save us.  Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 8:36-39.

Who commanded baptism?  Jesus – it is done by His authority and name Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38.

Why should I be baptized?  

1)               Remission of sins – Acts 2:38, 22:16

2)              To share in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus – Romans 6:3-4

3)              To put on Christ and be added to the church – Galatians 3:27, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Acts 2:41, 47

4)              To save our souls – 1 Peter 3:21

5)              To receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38-41

Am I saved before baptism?

1)               The math of Jesus (Believe + Baptism = Salvation) Mark 16:15-16, man’s incorrect math (Believe = Salvation + Baptism)

2)              The newness of Life starts after baptism – Romans 6:4-5

3)              God performs a surgery in baptism by removing sin – Colossians 2:11-13, Romans 6:5-6

4)              Cornelius and Paul both had to be told what to do to be saved and that included baptism – Acts 10:1-6, 22,32,33, 44-48 and 9:1-6, 17-18, 22:10-16.

Should I be baptized if I was baptized?

Wrong reason or motive not stated in the Bible for baptism

Forced into baptism (did not do it on own freewill)

Not taught Matthew 28:19 (No teaching took place)

Unable to be taught at the time of baptism (children)

Not taught correctly (I was saved before, symbol of inward grace, etc.)

Outdated Acts 19:1-6

When should I be baptized?

When I am taught and convicted – Acts 2:36-41

Any hour, time, the same day – Acts 2:41 and 47, 8:36-38, 16:25-34

*Note: Some who do not believe in baptism as part of salvation might argue that the word translated “for” in verse 38 can refer to a past action.  What they mean by this is that you received forgiveness before repentance and baptism. For example, when you are wanted “for” robbery it is because you have robbed, you are not wanted to commit robbery in the future.  So, they will explain this verse is saying to be baptized for/because your sins have been forgiven.  The word translated “for” is the Greek word “eis”.  In Hebrews 9:28 the same word “eis” is translated ‘to take away’.   When Jesus was sacrificed “for” or “to take away” sins, He was not sacrificed because sins had already been taken away but HE sacrificed to take away sins.  Later in the same passage the word “eis” is used again. Jesus will appear again “eis” “for” or “to bring” salvation to those who are waiting for him.  So the argument that for means a past action is incorrect in reference to Acts 2:38.