All About Water Baptism
IS WATER baptism essential to salvation? What about the "thief on the cross"?
Was he saved without it?
What is the proper form , or mode sprinkling, pouring or immersion?
Should babies and children be baptized?
Suppose you were baptized by a minister you have since lost confidence in.
Should you be baptized over again?
Suppose you were baptized "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost [Spirit]," Should you be baptized again " in the name of Jesus" only?
Should one be baptized IMMEDIATELY, or only "after a six months' probation"?
Must the ordinance be performed by an ordained minister?
WE ARE saved by GRACE, and through FAITH — make no mistake about that; but —
there are conditions!
And millions are being deceived, misled into thinking they are saved, when
they are not!
People have been taught, falsely, that "Christ completed the Plan of
Salvation on the Cross" — when actually it was only begun there. The popular
denominations have taught, "Just BELIEVE — that's all there is to it; believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and you are that instant saved!"
That teaching is false! And because of deception — because the TRUE GOSPEL of
Jesus Christ has been all but blotted out, lo these 1900 years by the preaching
of a false gospel about the Person of Christ — and often a false Christ at that
— millions today WORSHIP CHRIST — and all in vain! "In vain do they worship me,"
said Jesus, "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark
7: 6-9).
Man is mortal. Man has no immortality inherent within himself. Christ Jesus,
only, of all men who have lived, has immortality (I
Tim. 6:16).
The penalty of sin is DEATH — the second, or eternal, death, from which there
will be no resurrection. And ALL have sinned and come under this sentence. Only
GOD has eternal life inherent in Himself (John
5:26)
— only GOD has eternal life to give. And as the Father has life in — inherent in
— Himself, so has He given to the Son, Christ, to have immortal life inherent
within Himself. And through Christ, God gives it to us (I
John 5:11-12)
— and whoever has not Christ has not eternal life. Eternal life is a GIFT no man
has until he receives it as GOD'S GIFT (Rom.
6:23).
The BLOOD of Christ does not finally save any man. The death of Christ merely
paid the penalty of sin in our stead — it wipes the slate clean of past sins —
it saves us merely from the DEATH PENALTY — it removes that which separated us
from God and reconciles us to God.
But we are SAVED — that is, given immortal life — by Christ's LIFE, not by
His death (Rom.
5:10).
Christ is a living Saviour! He is not dead — He rose from the dead! We could
never be saved by His blood alone, if He had not risen from the dead (I
Cor. 15:17-18).
We are mortal, without immortal life inherent in us, under penalty of eternal
DEATH from sin — unless saved. To be saved, we must be born of God, who is a
Spirit. We were born of human parents, and therefore we are human — flesh — dust
— of the earth, earthy (John
3:3,
6;
Gen. 2:7;
3:19;
I Cor. 15:47-49).
To be born of God, we must, first, now in this life, receive the impregnating
LIFE — the Holy Spirit — from God. We are then merely begotten, spiritually —
comparing to an unborn human babe still in its mother's womb — not yet really
BORN. We then become merely HEIRS of the Kingdom — not yet inheritors.
Becoming converted means being CHANGED. When one receives the Holy Spirit of
God, his whole viewpoint, his outlook, his purposes, goals, ways of thought —
everything — becomes CHANGED! It is a renewing of the MIND — the Spirit of a
sound mind. But he is as yet merely begotten. And, as the unborn babe must be
fed, through the mother, and must develop and grow physically before it can be
born, so the converted human, now spiritually begotten, must be fed on the
spiritual food of GOD'S WORD, and must GROW SPIRITUALLY — must grow in grace and
the knowledge of Christ as He reveals His knowledge through His Word (II
Peter 3:18).
He must OVERCOME the down-pull of his human nature and achieve self-discipline.
He must learn PATIENCE, must grow in LOVE, FAITH, and UNDERSTANDING. He must do
the WORKS of Christ; and, in this spiritual growth — this life of active service
— he must ENDURE persecutions and afflictions and trials UNTO THE END.
It is only those who, during this Christian Spirit-begotten life, have grown
in knowledge and grace, have overcome, have developed spiritually, done the
works of Christ, and endured unto the end, who shall finally be given
IMMORTALITY — finally changed from mortal to IMMORTAL at the time of the second
coming of Christ (I
Cor. 15:53-54).
So, being, as we say, converted — receiving the Holy Spirit of God — is
merely the beginning! Then begins a lifetime of LIVING under the GOVERNMENT OF
GOD — by God's laws which express His will, instead of by self-will and desire.
A PERSON IS NOT EVEN BEGOTTEN OF GOD UNLESS HE IS CHRIST'S (I
John 5:12).
AND HE IS NOT CHRIST'S UNLESS HE HAS RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT (Rom.
8:9).
One is not even converted — spiritually begotten- -not even STARTED on the way
to final salvation, unless and until he RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM GOD! The
question, then — how to make the first BEGINNING of becoming a Christian — how
to START on the Christian life — which leads to eternal life — is how to thus be
CHANGED and receive God's Holy Spirit!
"What Shall We Do?"
Notice the very beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark
1:15).
Jesus said, "REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel." The very first words He
proclaimed, at the very beginning of His Gospel, were to command the TWO
CONDITIONS to becoming a Christian: REPENTANCE, and FAITH. Those are the two
things we must do! Repentance is toward GOD. Faith is toward Christ. Repentance
means to quit sinning, and sin is the transgression of God's spiritual LAW — so
repentance means to begin living according to God's Commandments! And Jesus said
"believe the GOSPEL." And the GOSPEL is the Good News of the Kingdom of God —
which means GOVERNMENT of God, and government means obedience to LAWS, in this
case God's laws, which express the will of God — government by the WILL OF GOD,
no longer by human self-will!
After Jesus had completed His earthly ministry, had paid the penalty of your
sins, had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent
on the day of Pentecost.
Thousands were in Jerusalem for this festival. When the Spirit of God came
upon — and into — the disciples that morning, thousands came in awe and wonder
at the majestic spectacle. Peter then preached the first inspired sermon of this
Christian dispensation. Thousands were convicted in their hearts. They realized
their lost condition. They realized Christ was indeed Messiah — SAVIOUR!
"What shall we do?" they cried out to Peter and the disciples. "HOW SHALL WE
BE SAVED?"
Peter was now inspired. The answer came straight and direct!
"REPENT"! shouted the inspired Peter in great power, "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 SPIRIT"! (Acts
2:38.)
There are the conditions — JUST TWO — the same as Jesus gave them at the very
beginning of His Gospel — REPENT, and BELIEVE! For one cannot be rightly
baptized except he believe (Acts
8:37).
Baptism is an ordinance symbolizing FAITH in the death, burial, and resurrection
of Christ.
Once these conditions are complied with, God stands bound by a PROMISE to put
within the repentant believer HIS SPIRIT — which means His LOVE, faith,
understanding, gentleness and goodness, power, etc. — His attitude of mind — the
Spirit of a sound mind — His very LIFE — the impregnation and begettal of
eternal life, and the very character of God! The HOLY SPIRIT in one CHANGES one!
"For the PROMISE is unto you, and to your children ... even as many as the
Lord our God shall call" (Acts
2:39).
WATER BAPTISM, THEN, IS A REQUIRED PART OF THE WAY OF SALVATION!
Jesus' Example!
Jesus in all things set us an example, that we should follow His steps. He
was the example for Christian living for the individual, and also the living
example for His called ministers (I
Peter 2:21).
Jesus, though He had committed no sins to be remitted, was baptized, setting
the example for us. You'll read of it in
Matthew 3:13-17.
In being baptized, Jesus was immersed in water (not sprinkled or poured upon)
because "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water."
Immediately the Spirit of God descended upon Him, in this case visibly, and a
voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God
help us, that by His help, power, and grace, we may be enabled to live such
overcoming lives that He may finally say the same of us!
Jesus also set the example for ministers. Did you know that Jesus baptized
more disciples than John the Baptist?
Listen: "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of
Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.... When therefore the Lord
knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples
than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples)..." (John
3:22
and
4:1-2).
Meaning of "In the Name of Jesus Christ"
There is an important meaning here. Actually Jesus did not do the physical
work of baptizing these people Himself — He had His disciples do it for Him! And
what they did, by His authority and command, is attributed to Him! So it was
considered as if Jesus Himself had baptized them.
Here is a most important truth. His disciples did the baptizing IN HIS NAME —
that is, in His stead — they did it for Him, by His authority — and that was
considered just the same as if Jesus had actually done it Himself! In fact, the
Holy Spirit actually inspired the direct statement that Jesus baptized more
disciples than John. When, at His direction, and by His authority, His chosen
disciples, chosen by Him, did it for Him, it is considered that JESUS did the
baptizing. He did it, in other words, by and through His disciples!
To ask for anything in prayer, or to do or perform anything, IN THE NAME OF
JESUS CHRIST, is to ask or do it BY HIS AUTHORITY. It is to act for Him. To do
it for Him, in His stead. It is acting as if by power of attorney to act FOR
Him. It implies He has delegated that authority to us. And indeed He has! For we
are commanded to do all things IN THE NAME OF CHRIST!
Jesus Commanded Baptism
Keep in mind the clear picture of the true GOSPEL. The true Gospel of Jesus
Christ is the Message which GOD SENT to the world, and Christ was the divine
Messenger who brought and proclaimed it. It was not primarily a Message about
Himself, but about the Kingdom — the GOVERNMENT — of God. Jesus devoted
three-and-a-half years to teaching this Message to His twelve apostles.
After His resurrection, Jesus gave them the final GOSPEL COMMISSION for this
age, and in it He commanded baptism as an obligatory ordinance for this Gospel
dispensation:
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach THE GOSPEL" (the
Message God sent and Christ proclaimed) "TO EVERY CREATURE. He that believeth,
and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark
16:15-16).
Note these points: The GOSPEL to be preached was not the present-day message
ABOUT the Person of Christ, but the Message He brought and preached — the Good
News of the GOVERNMENT of God. What is it necessary to BELIEVE to be saved? That
which is preached — the GOSPEL! When even the preachers today do away with God's
LAW, and therefore the government (Kingdom) of God — for there can be no
government without law — they deny that which must be believed to be saved — and
their followers cannot be saved, but are deceived! And, also, it is "he that is
baptized" that shall be saved. It's part of the divine Commission — a required
ordinance for salvation!
Notice Matthew's version of the Great Commission:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... " surely the disciples were to
teach these nations that which Jesus had taught them — the Message God had sent
Him to deliver and proclaim to the world — the Good News of the government of
God — a Message that has not been preached for 1800 years or more! "...
Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt.
28:19-20).
Here again, in the final Great Commission for preaching the Gospel in this
age, Christ commanded BAPTISM. And here He specifically stated "in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Spirit]."
In Name of Jesus Only
Since some today are being baptized over again "in the name of Jesus ONLY" in
order to eliminate the Father, and the Holy Spirit, this should be considered
here. The contention of these people is that this passage in
Matthew 28:19
is the only place in the Bible where the names of the Father and the Holy Spirit
are commanded. They argue that a thing must be established "in the mouth of two
or more witnesses," and since they claim there is but this one witness to this
command, it must be rejected. All other passages mention only the name of Jesus.
The explanation is that two or more witnesses are required only in the case
of HUMAN testimony — where one accuses another. That instruction does not apply
to the divine Witness, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to assume it does is
surely close to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! On the contrary, "ALL
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ...." And, THE
SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN! If you can break, disprove, reject, or throw out
this one scripture, you can reject all the rest!
In this passage, the word translated "in" should properly be translated
"into." The meaning, then, is that repentant believers are baptized INTO God the
Father, and into Christ the Son, and into the Holy Spirit. But the one who
plunges the new believer under the water performs the act IN THE NAME OF — that
is, by authority of, JESUS CHRIST. Why? Because Jesus said "ALL POWER" — and
that includes all authority — "is given unto me in heaven and in earth." He has
ALL authority! Either we do it by His authority, or else we are doing it without
any authority.
New Testament Ordinance
The apostles understood this as a divine Commission and Command. They carried
it out. They always baptized repentant believers.
The first inspired sermon after the Holy Spirit came to convert Peter and the
apostles was mentioned above. Peter commanded all to repent, and to be baptized.
And "they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there
were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts
2:41).
"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them
... But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning THE KINGDOM OF
GOD, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts
8:5,
12).
Some, who do not believe in water baptism, may say this baptism was not with
water, but with the Holy Spirit. But later, when the apostles sent Peter and
John down to these people at Samaria, they, "when they were come down, prayed
for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: For as yet he was fallen upon
none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (verses
15-16).
None of them had been as yet baptized with the Holy Spirit — yet they already
were baptized. Since they had not been baptized with the Holy Spirit, obviously
they had been baptized in water.
Baptism Definitely Commanded
As Peter preached the first inspired sermon after the coming of the Holy
Spirit, and commanded baptism — to the Jews in Jerusalem, so God sent Peter also
to first preach the Gospel to the Gentiles ten years later. It was at the house
of a very devout Gentile, Cornelius. But devout though he was, he did not
understand — did not have saving KNOWLEDGE. He knew no better than to fall down
at Peter's feet and worship him, a mere man. God had sent Peter to instruct him.
Peter preached to Cornelius' family, "The word which God sent" — the Message
God sent by Jesus Christ as Messenger. And "while Peter yet spake these words,
the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word" (Acts
10:44).
In verse 45 it is termed "the gift of the Holy Spirit." The word "ALSO"
indicates the same "baptism" with the Holy Spirit as Peter and the apostles had
received. In
Acts 11:15-17
it is plainly described as the SAME "baptism" with the Holy Spirit the apostles
had received. Now these had received the "baptism" with the Spirit.
"Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid WATER, that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts
10:46-48).
Here is a definite inspired COMMAND to be baptized in WATER.
Immersion, Sprinkling, or Pouring?
As in all other points of doctrine, the churches today are in utmost
confusion — some practicing pouring, some sprinkling, some immersing. Some say
it makes no difference. Those who sprinkle usually apply it to children.
The word "baptize" is not an English word. It is a Greek word. The New
Testament was written in the Greek language. In translating it into English, the
translators left this Greek word untranslated. Literally, in the Greek, the word
is "baptizo". The definition of this word is "IMMERSE." It means to plunge into,
put into, dip. It does not mean "to sprinkle" or "to pour." The Greek word for
"sprinkle" is "rantidzo", and "to pour" is "cheo" in Greek. The Holy Spirit did
not inspire the use of these words, but baptizo, meaning IMMERSE, PUT INTO.
Therefore sprinkling or pouring IS NOT BAPTIZING!
When one understands the meaning of the words inspired, it is silly to talk
about "which form or mode of baptizing shall we use — sprinkling, pouring, or
immersing?" It is as ridiculous as to ask which form of IMMERSING shall we use —
sprinkling, pouring, or immersing? Or as to ask "which form or mode of skiing
shall we use — swimming, ice-skating, or skiing?" Swimming and ice-skating are
not skiing. Sprinkling and pouring are not baptizing.
John baptized around about Aenon near Jerusalem, "because there was much
water there" (John
3:23).
He would have needed only a cupful to sprinkle, or a pitcherful to pour — but
baptizing required "MUCH WATER" in a river. Also this verse indicates John
baptized the subject with much water, not by pouring a cupful of water on the
subject.
Jesus set us an example — there was no other purpose in His baptism — and He
was put down into the water, for He went up OUT OF the water. Both Philip and
the eunuch went down INTO the water (Acts
8:38).
There was no reason whatever for Philip to go actually into the water, except
for the reason there was no other way he could plunge the eunuch INTO the river.
They came up out of the water (verse 39).
The Meaning of Baptism
Baptism is a BURIAL, and a RISING from a grave. Notice
Colossians 2:12.
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are RISEN with him through the
faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Neither
sprinkling nor pouring is a burial, and one rises up out of neither. They do not
picture the symbolic meaning of baptism, and therefore are meaningless.
When one is plunged INTO the water, he is in a watery grave. He would not
live ten minutes unless brought up out of the water — unless RISEN from this
watery grave. Therefore a person immersed in water is in a literal grave.
Notice further: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness
of his resurrection" (Rom.
6:3-5).
There is the beautiful symbolism — the real meaning of baptism.
It pictures, in symbol, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
But it is a DUAL picture, as all things in God's Plan are DUAL in operation.
It also pictures the crucifixion of the old self (verses 6-7), or of the sinning
life, the burial of this sinning self, and the coming up out of this watery
grave, symbolic of a CHANGED person resurrected to a new, righteous, spiritual
life in Christ Jesus.
Going down into the water pictures the DEATH of Christ, and of the old self.
Burial in the water pictures the BURIAL of Christ, and of the old self.
Coming up out of the water pictures Christ's RESURRECTION, and a spiritually
resurrected person walking henceforth "in newness of life."
Water baptism is the ordinance ordained of Christ by which we express our
FAITH in Christ as Saviour — our ACCEPTANCE of His death, burial, and
resurrection for us, and our repentance of the old life and burial of it, rising
to new and higher life henceforth. It is a beautiful ordinance, full of meaning!
Not Baptized Into a Denomination
Notice carefully, too — we are "BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST" (verse 3, above),
or, as Jesus expressed it in
Matthew 28:19,
into the Father, Son, with the Holy Spirit — NOT INTO SOME CHURCH ORGANIZATION
OR DENOMINATION.
In many sectarian churches today the minister will refuse to baptize one
except into his church — his group or organization of human beings. That is not
proper baptism. We are to be baptized into the DIVINE FAMILY — the family of
God. And it is to be done "in the name" — by the authority — of Jesus Christ.
Baptism has degenerated in many churches into a rite or ceremony of entrance
into the fellowship of that sectarian organization — nothing more than a rite by
which one joins a lodge or social club!
Note well these facts: One may "join" a lodge, social club, or organized
group of MEN (and most churches today have degenerated into social societies).
But ONE CANNOT JOIN THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD! You cannot GET in of your own
accord! No, GOD MUST PUT YOU IN — no man can do it — you cannot do it yourself!
How does one gain entrance into the true CHURCH? "By ONE SPIRIT are we all
baptized into [PUT INTO] one body" — the Body of Christ, the true Church of God.
"Baptize" means "PUT INTO." When we receive the Holy Spirit of God to change us
— to make us as new creatures in Christ — it is the impregnation of eternal LIFE
from God. It is the very life-germ from God the FATHER. It is the Spirit of
sonship whereby we become HIS CHILDREN, and may call Him "FATHER" (Rom.
8:14-15).
The CHURCH OF GOD is the Household of God- -composed of GOD'S CHILDREN. We do
not become His children until begotten of Him — until we receive His Spirit —
His Nature — His Life. When we receive His Spirit, therefore, we are
automatically PUT INTO His family — HIS CHURCH! Joining one of the social clubs
called churches does not put one into GOD'S Church!
Now water baptism is a required CONDITION to receiving the Holy Spirit. At
Samaria, and again at Ephesus, they did not receive the Holy Spirit until after
they were baptized in water (Acts
8:14-17;
19:1-6).
True, at Cornelius' house they did receive the Holy Spirit, and thereby were
baptized BY the Spirit into the CHURCH before water baptism — but Peter
immediately commanded water baptism. This was a rare exception to the rule.
BUT THERE IS NO PROMISE THAT ANYONE WILL RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTIL
BAPTIZED IN WATER — even though God in His wisdom and love may on rare occasions
make an exception. The command is, "Repent, and be baptized" — and THEN "ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
The Thief on the Cross
Is baptism essential? How about the "thief on the cross"?
The answer is, GOD COMMANDS WATER BAPTISM. The water baptism is not the thing
that saves us. While it is commanded "for the remission of sins," yet it is
merely symbolic of that which remits our sins — the DEATH OF CHRIST. While also
it pictures His resurrection, by which we are finally SAVED, it is merely the
symbol, not the reality.
The true explanation is that the "thief on the cross" was unable to be
baptized. And since baptism is not the thing which saves us from the death
penalty, makes us righteous, or imparts eternal life, he did not lose salvation
because of circumstances out of his control. God makes allowance for such cases.
But God commands water baptism; and for one WHO IS ABLE to either defy the
command and refuse, or neglect, or even put off obedience to this command until
too late, certainly would be an act of disobedience which would impose the
PENALTY of sin, and cause loss of salvation.
You need not worry about the thief on the cross — or one utterly UNABLE to be
baptized. You need be MUCH concerned, however — you who are able — about
obedience to the command. It is essential to salvation inasmuch as God commands
it, and noncompliance is disobedience which would mean loss of salvation.
How Long Should We Wait?
This brings us to the question — how soon must we be baptized?
One or two denominations insist it be put off until the candidate has PROVED
HIMSELF — has proved he has the Holy Spirit and is living a righteous spiritual
life — or has come to certain spiritual KNOWLEDGE. One denomination will not
baptize people until they come to "see" and accept God's LAW, and many of this
denomination's doctrines, and usually there is a six-months' probation period.
Paul says God's Law "IS SPIRITUAL," and that the carnal (unconverted) mind is
not subject to the Law and CANNOT be (Rom.
7:14
and
8:7).
The order of God is: 1st) preach the Gospel, leading to a conviction of sin in
the hearts of those God calls, leading to REPENTANCE and FAITH in Christ; 2nd)
BAPTISM; and 3rd) they shall receive the HOLY SPIRIT, which renews their minds,
teaches them, reveals spiritual truth. Since one cannot spiritually understand
God's spiritual Law or spiritual things UNTIL he receives the Holy Spirit, and
he must be baptized before he has a promise of the Holy Spirit, he should be
baptized first. EVERYONE knows he has sinned, and lived contrary to God's will,
though he may not have spiritual understanding of God's will. God can grant
repentance to a carnal mind before the conversion of that mind. One does not
need a spiritual college education in Bible knowledge to repent and be baptized
into Christ. Jesus' order of events was, 1st) PREACH THE GOSPEL, 2nd) BAPTIZE
repentant believers, 3rd) TEACH THEM THE COMMANDMENTS (Matt.
28:19-20).
Therefore, how long should baptism be put off?
The answer is, just as soon as one has been convicted in his heart — just as
soon as one realizes his own way of life has been WRONG, and becomes sick and
tired of it, and turns from his own ways and wants to find GOD'S WAYS and live
them, truly REPENTS of his past life of sins, and BELIEVES in and ACCEPTS Jesus
Christ as personal Saviour, and the One whom he must obey henceforth, and WANTS
TO TURN TO THE CHANGED, DIFFERENT, NEW AND HAPPY LIFE OF FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS,
and to become a child of God — then that person should be baptized IMMEDIATELY
if possible — and if this is not possible, then AS SOON as a true servant of God
is available to perform the baptism.
Baptism Should Never Be Delayed
It might be neglected until too late! In every case recounted in the New
Testament, repentant believers were baptized IMMEDIATELY.
On the day of Pentecost, 3,000 were baptized THAT SAME DAY. Philip baptized
the eunuch AT ONCE. God sent Ananias to baptize Saul, whose name was changed to
Paul, the apostle. Immediately on meeting him, Ananias said: "And now WHY
TARRIEST THOU? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the
name of the Lord" (Acts
22:16).
Paul baptized the Philippian jailer and those in his house "the same hour of the
night" — and it was after midnight (Acts
16:33).
They did not even wait until daylight!
Should Children Be Baptized?
One cannot be baptized until after he has REPENTED. Only those who BELIEVE,
both the true GOSPEL (the Message Jesus preached, which is the Kingdom, or
Government of God) and on JESUS CHRIST as personal Saviour, can be baptized (see
Acts 2:38;
8:37;
16:31).
When some Samaritans repented at Philip's preaching, "they were baptized,
both men and women" (Acts
8:12).
There can be no set rule about the proper age for baptism. In the case
of some awaiting baptism among our listeners and readers, unable to find a man
of God qualified to baptize them, this very necessity forces them to wait until
we can send them a minister. Where NECESSITY prevents immediate baptism, in such
cases, or like the thief on the cross, God understands and makes allowance. But
avoid all unnecessary delay.
God has many ministers throughout the United States and British Common-wealth
of nations. Few should have any real difficulty in locating a servant of God.]
Must Baptism Be Administered Only by Ordained Ministers?
Finally, who is authorized to administer baptism?
Must the repentant believer be baptized ONLY by an ordained minister? How
much depends upon the goodness, or belief, or spirituality of the man who
performs the ordinance?
First, let us look to the example of Jesus; next, to the instructions of
Christ; and then, to the teaching and practice in the early New Testament
Church.
Was Jesus Himself an "ordained minister" — that is, ordained and approved by
one of the popular denominations around Him? No, He was despised and rejected of
them — opposed, persecuted, belittled as a non-conformist. And He baptized more
disciples than John. Even John was not recognized, ordained, or sponsored in any
way by any popular group or church. He was in their sight a rank outsider.
Actually, as pointed out earlier, Jesus Himself immersed no one with His own
physical hands — His disciples did it for Him, by His authority. And right there
is the point which answers the whole question. The one qualified to do the
immersing must always perform it IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST — which means by
His authority, acting for Christ as His disciple.
The principle is that IT IS CHRIST WHO IS BAPTIZING YOU. The man who puts you
under the water is merely performing this physical act for Christ, in His stead.
You are not to look to the human man, further than to conscientiously try to go
to one you honestly feel is a man of God, called of Christ, and used of Him in
the work of His true Church. And if later he turns the wrong way, your salvation
does not depend on that man or any other mortal man, BUT SOLELY UPON CHRIST!
There is no cause to be baptized again by another man.
Always there is the chance that you may be deceived in the man you believe
qualified to act for Christ in the act of baptism. If it depended upon this man,
you would have to have divine powers of reading minds and hearts to be sure. You
might have to be immersed fifty times before you could be absolutely sure of the
man who did it — and even then you could be mistaken. Just be as careful as you
can, as God gives you to see, in the man who acts for Christ in baptizing you —
and then DO NOT LOOK AT THE MAN — LOOK AT CHRIST — consider that it is CHRIST
who is baptizing you, by and through a human instrument. And even if the
instrument turns out to be imperfect, remember all humans are imperfect, and it
was done for, and in the name of the only One who ever was perfect. And since it
was in reality done BY CHRIST, it should never be done over by another.
Who Should Baptize?
Now back to the example of Christ. In His own earthly ministry, He had this
immersing performed for Him by His disciples. At that time they were not even
converted — had not yet received the Holy Spirit- -for the Holy Spirit was not
yet given (John
7:39)
because Jesus had not yet ascended to heaven to send the Holy Spirit (John
16:7),
which first came to enter within and convert these disciples on the day of
Pentecost.
Peter was their leader, and even after this baptizing, Peter denied Jesus
three times. If you had been baptized by Peter in Christ's name, would you, on
learning of his denial of Jesus, be baptized over again?
These men, who baptized for Jesus when He was with them in person, were not
ordained ministers — were not recognized by any popular church — were merely
STUDENTS of Jesus at the time, being taught, not yet prepared to be sent out as
His apostles and His ministers. And the indications are they were young men,
perhaps not yet old enough to be made preachers or evangelists. They were not
perfect, not even converted (Luke
22:32).
Consider now Christ's teaching. Those who go forth teaching, or preaching,
His Gospel (most popular denominations preach a different gospel) are the ones
He commanded and commissioned to do the baptizing (Matt.
28:19-20).
Consider the example of the inspired early Church. Philip was not an apostle,
or a regular minister, but merely a deacon commissioned by the Church only to
perform physical acts, such as waiting on tables (Acts
6:2-5).
Yet he went down to Samaria and preached Christ and His Kingdom, and the people
who believed were baptized (Acts
8:5-6,
12).
The text does not even state that Philip did the baptizing — he may have had
some of his new converts do it.
If you study the New Testament on the point, you will see it does not appear
to attach great importance as to which man puts the believer under the water,
since it is considered by the one baptized that CHRIST does it. The Holy Spirit
sent Philip later to baptize the eunuch (Acts
8:26-39).
This was the Church Jesus founded (Matthew
16:18).
Paul Baptized Few
Consider, finally, Paul's example and teaching.
The Corinthian Church was having a contention as to which man they would
follow. At Corinth some wanted to follow Paul and start a church with him at the
head — others wanted to follow Peter; others, Apollos.
"Is Christ divided?" asked Paul of them (I
Cor. 1:13).
"Was PAUL crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank
God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that
I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas:
besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to
baptize, but to preach the gospel" (I
Cor. 1: 13-17).
Notice, PAUL BAPTIZED VERY FEW. He had others — perhaps among them a few lay
members who were not ordained ministers at all — do it for Christ. He was the
called minister by whom Christ carried the Gospel to the Gentiles — through whom
CHRIST as head of the Church ruled the churches which had been raised up by the
preaching of Paul and the young men he taught and sent out under his direction.
Paul did not consider it important or essential that he, personally, baptize all
those being converted under the ministry God carried on through his supervision.
"Christ sent me not to baptize," he said. Paul had other ordained ministers and
helpers do the baptizing for him — UNDER HIS DIRECTION.
And so, as Paul did, we today sometimes have other consecrated and dedicated
non-ordained men do the baptizing. It is done IN THE NAME OF CHRIST — it is
really CHRIST doing it, through human instrumentality. A man does it merely as a
servant, or instrument of Christ — just as performing a service, never to his
own credit or glory or honor.
Weigh carefully the FACTS, according to your own BIBLE. Then make your decision and take what steps GOD shows you.