Baptism Basics
What is the point of Baptism and who should be baptized? Questions often arise about Baptism for believers. Clearly, the Bible teaches the need and value of Baptisms. There are various types of baptisms mentioned in the Bible. You would think this has been resolved; but in fact many different groups, especially cults, which are constantly challenging the Biblical pattern. All kinds of questions keep arising about what, when, who and how of Baptism; so that we could list a dozen here. But what’s important is to go to the source: let the Bible speak to us. That is where God has given His final word on the matter.
We at Mission 17:11 submit that the only Biblical pattern and instruction for baptism is that of believers who are able to make a choice to turn to Jesus, believe His resurrection, and choose to follow Him. The pattern always goes thus: Repent (turn to Christ), believe, be baptized, follow Him (the reason for being baptized is to announce you have chosen to follow Jesus).
In fact, Jesus gives very plain instructions in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (go to this link to see this in multiple English Bible versions on Biblegateway.com)
So we’re instructed plainly: Make disciples – baptize them – teach them everything Jesus commanded (so they do likewise until the end of the age). First they have to be disciples. That means they have chosen to accept and believe that Jesus is the Christ, who died for our sins, rose on the 3rd day, and ascended to the Father. Then we teach them to grow as disciples through the whole of the teachings of Jesus and His chosen Apostles.
Why do we believe only in the “Believers Baptism”? Mark 16:16 explains God’s perspective:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned”.
Clearly this is showing us that baptism does not save, but is the evidence of a person who has been saved, choosing to announce they will follow Jesus. First they believe. Then they get baptized as a testimony of believing. I’ve seen many people pray to receive, but then fail to obey God in making that testimony of baptism. Then, they eventually disappear from the fellowship of believers, to go back. They failed to make that testimony because they weren’t really saved. So, they did not really believed. They thought the prayer was a magic formula – but they did not take it to heart and really believe. The person who makes a public testimony of baptism is saying I believe this with all my heart. I have been changed by this belief.
One of the best examples is in Acts 8:12 where a group of Samaritans heard the Gospel from Philip the Apostle. It says “they believed Philip…” and then “both men and women were baptized”.
Men and Women. Not infants. Why is this important? Because many groups believe baptizing infants has some merit before God. But God never asks this of us. He never instructs anyone to baptize a person who has not first believed the Gospel. Many are relying on this religious act, which God has not instructed anyone to make, as though that somehow grants some favor on the infant. If God has not instructed it, why would anyone do that?
Another Example: Acts 18:8 “Crispus, … believed on the Lord … many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” The pattern is once again clear. Hear the Gospel, believe the Gospel, become baptized as a testimony of this decision to follow the Savior by living the Gospel.
Every one of you doesn’t mean everyone? We need to understand context: what is said, to whom?
In Acts 2:38 “…Peter said …’Repent, and let every one of you be baptized…’ “ who was present? Verse 14 tells us who Peter was preaching to: “…Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem…”. Again in verse 29 he says “…Men and brethren, let me speak freely…” In fact, this event happened at the festival of Pentecost, which were mostly men, not families (unlike other festivals). It was only *required* of men in the Old Testament. So, the text shows us in fact that Peter was talking to the Men of Judea and proving to them that they needed to believe and, if they believed, to be baptized. There’s a reason I note this.
Are we sure? Yes, let’s look at this Apostolic Confirmation: Acts 8:34-38 please note the point Philip makes to this convert: After the Ethiopian hears the message, he asks: “What hinders me from being baptized?” …Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” So, he answered…’I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So …Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.”
If you believe. This pattern repeats over and over: repent, believe, be baptized, follow Him. We baptize those who believe. Anyone who believes should be baptized when they have come to believe.
We submit that this is the only Biblical pattern for Baptism, and the only point of baptism: to make a public declaration of your decision to follow Jesus because you have believed the Gospel. All other ideas and teachings muddle the point, and cause people to have completely wrong ideas about Baptism. That Baptism alone does not save you. It is a point of evidence that you have believed the Gospel, which does save you.
So we see two vital things here, in order to ensure proper application of the ritual of baptism:
- Ensure people hear the Gospel and learn the truth of it.
- Ensure that people accept a life-changing commitment that comes from what Believing.
If both of those conditions are met, then the new believer should be baptized as their first act of obedience and faith before Christ. All other ideas about Baptism create a false belief. This is the will of God and will be the desire of all truly born-again believers. The baptism has both cultural and spiritual significance – and represents a turning point for the new believer.
If these two conditions are met with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then that person has begun the journey, they have started on The Way of Jesus. The baptism does not save, but rather represents the first public act of obedience, the beginning of choosing the Christ Identity for a new believer. Thus, it becomes life changing – being a beginning on the epic adventure of following Jesus Christ.
If you are eager to begin that journey, please go to: https://mission1711.com/romans-road/ to ensure that you are ready to begin the way, and go to: https://mission1711.com/trusted_jesus/ for guidance on next steps from us at Mission 17:11
Biblical Pattern for Baptism
What is the point of Baptism and who should be baptized? Questions often arise about Baptism for believers. Clearly, the Bible teaches the need and value of Baptisms. There are various types of baptisms mentioned in the Bible. You would think this has been resolved; but in fact many different groups, especially cults, which are constantly challenging the Biblical pattern. All kinds of questions keep arising about what, when, who and how of Baptism; so that we could list a dozen here. But what’s important is to go to the source: let the Bible speak to us. That is where God has given His final word on the matter.
We at Mission 17:11 submit that the only Biblical pattern and instruction for baptism is that of believers who are able to make a choice to turn to Jesus, believe His resurrection, and choose to follow Him. The pattern always goes thus: Repent (turn to Christ), believe, be baptized, follow Him (the reason for being baptized is to announce you have chosen to follow Jesus).
In fact, Jesus gives very plain instructions in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (go to this link to see this in multiple English Bible versions on Biblegateway.com)
So we’re instructed plainly: Make disciples – baptize them – teach them everything Jesus commanded (so they do likewise until the end of the age). First they have to be disciples. That means they have chosen to accept and believe that Jesus is the Christ, who died for our sins, rose on the 3rd day, and ascended to the Father. Then we teach them to grow as disciples through the whole of the teachings of Jesus and His chosen Apostles.
Why do we believe only in the “Believers Baptism”? Mark 16:16 explains God’s perspective:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned”.
Clearly this is showing us that baptism does not save, but is the evidence of a person who has been saved, choosing to announce they will follow Jesus. First they believe. Then they get baptized as a testimony of believing. I’ve seen many people pray to receive, but then fail to obey God in making that testimony of baptism. Then, they eventually disappear from the fellowship of believers, to go back. They failed to make that testimony because they weren’t really saved. So, they did not really believed. They thought the prayer was a magic formula – but they did not take it to heart and really believe. The person who makes a public testimony of baptism is saying I believe this with all my heart. I have been changed by this belief.
One of the best examples is in Acts 8:12 where a group of Samaritans heard the Gospel from Philip the Apostle. It says “they believed Philip…” and then “both men and women were baptized”.
Men and Women. Not infants. Why is this important? Because many groups believe baptizing infants has some merit before God. But God never asks this of us. He never instructs anyone to baptize a person who has not first believed the Gospel. Many are relying on this religious act, which God has not instructed anyone to make, as though that somehow grants some favor on the infant. If God has not instructed it, why would anyone do that?
Another Example: Acts 18:8 “Crispus, … believed on the Lord … many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” The pattern is once again clear. Hear the Gospel, believe the Gospel, become baptized as a testimony of this decision to follow the Savior by living the Gospel.
Every one of you doesn’t mean everyone? We need to understand context: what is said, to whom?
In Acts 2:38 “…Peter said …’Repent, and let every one of you be baptized…’ “ who was present? Verse 14 tells us who Peter was preaching to: “…Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem…”. Again in verse 29 he says “…Men and brethren, let me speak freely…” In fact, this event happened at the festival of Pentecost, which were mostly men, not families (unlike other festivals). It was only *required* of men in the Old Testament. So, the text shows us in fact that Peter was talking to the Men of Judea and proving to them that they needed to believe and, if they believed, to be baptized. There’s a reason I note this.
Are we sure? Yes, let’s look at this Apostolic Confirmation: Acts 8:34-38 please note the point Philip makes to this convert: After the Ethiopian hears the message, he asks: “What hinders me from being baptized?” …Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” So, he answered…’I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So …Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.”
If you believe. This pattern repeats over and over: repent, believe, be baptized, follow Him. We baptize those who believe. Anyone who believes should be baptized when they have come to believe.
We submit that this is the only Biblical pattern for Baptism, and the only point of baptism: to make a public declaration of your decision to follow Jesus because you have believed the Gospel. All other ideas and teachings muddle the point, and cause people to have completely wrong ideas about Baptism. That Baptism alone does not save you. It is a point of evidence that you have believed the Gospel, which does save you.
So we see two vital things here, in order to ensure proper application of the ritual of baptism:
If both of those conditions are met, then the new believer should be baptized as their first act of obedience and faith before Christ. All other ideas about Baptism create a false belief. This is the will of God and will be the desire of all truly born-again believers. The baptism has both cultural and spiritual significance – and represents a turning point for the new believer.
If these two conditions are met with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then that person has begun the journey, they have started on The Way of Jesus. The baptism does not save, but rather represents the first public act of obedience, the beginning of choosing the Christ Identity for a new believer. Thus, it becomes life changing – being a beginning on the epic adventure of following Jesus Christ.
If you are eager to begin that journey, please go to: https://mission1711.com/romans-road/ to ensure that you are ready to begin the way, and go to: https://mission1711.com/trusted_jesus/ for guidance on next steps from us at Mission 17:11
Published in Bible, Commentary, Prepared Warriors and Teaching