What Baptism Is Not

Introduction. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26-27, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Baptism plays a beautiful role in God’s plan for redeeming man. It symbolizes, after one has become dead to sin through repentance, a burial with Christ and a resurrection to a new life. It is the consummating act of obedience that secures for man heaven’s blessings of forgiveness of sins and a functioning position in the body of Christ.

However, baptism is one of the most controversial religious topics. In fact, churches of Christ have almost stood alone on the subject of the necessity of baptism for salvation. But due to the importance that the Bible places on baptism, we have to make sure that we study and know the truth about it.

However, for all of baptism’s importance, there are some things that it isn’t and it doesn’t do. I want you to please study some of these with me.

Baptism Is Not Sprinkling or Pouring or for Infants

The historian Irenaeus recorded that the first instance of pouring for baptism and baptism of infants took place around the end of the second century. The use of sprinkling for baptism took place not long after this.

The correct mode of baptism.

The Greek word for “baptism” is baptizo which means to “immerse, submerge, dip, or overwhelm.” The noun form, baptisma, consists of “the processes of immersion, submersion, and emergence.”

Baptism is stated as a burial (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).

Baptism involves going “into” the water and coming up “out of” the water (Acts 8:38-39).

The mode of baptism is clear, but millions of good-hearted people are taught that the mode of baptism is optional.

The correct recipients of baptism.

Infants don’t need to be baptized because New Testament baptism is a condition of salvation from sin committed before becoming a Christian.

Infants have no sin. They do not inherit sin (Ezekiel 18:20). They cannot commit sin (1 John 3:4).

God is the Father of our spirits (Hebrews 12:9). If a baby is born a sinner, his spirit that came from God is sinful. To say this is true would be blasphemy against the Father of our spirits.

The New Testament never gives any indication that infants were baptized. The only recipients of baptism in the Scriptures were penitent believers who had been convicted of sin.

Baptism Is Not an Outward Sign of Inward Salvation

Many have the mistaken concept that baptism is merely an outward sign to the world that they have been saved. They believe that an individual is first saved and later baptized.

In the New Testament there are six verses where water baptism and salvation are mentioned together (Mark 1:4; 16:16; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). In every one of these verses, baptism is first and salvation follows.

This is why the Bible stresses the urgency of baptism (Acts 2:41; 8:36; 16:33; 22:16). Christians find the spiritual blessings of God in the death of Christ. There is no other way to come into contact with the death of Christ except through baptism (Romans 6:3-5).

To my knowledge, no religious group, with the exception of the Lord’s church, baptizes for the remission of sins. If you were baptized “to show you were already saved” you were baptized for the wrong reason. You need to be baptized scripturally.

Baptism Is Not Salvation Insurance

Some have the mistaken idea that being baptized automatically insures eternal salvation. Many who may not verbalize this position act like it. But, baptism is just the beginning of our life as a Christian.

Notice some things baptism doesn’t do:

Baptism doesn’t miraculously change a person’s character (Acts 8:9-23).

Baptism won’t insure spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).

Baptism won’t insure faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Revelation 2:10).

Baptism won’t prevent temptation (Matthew 3:16-4:1).

Baptism Is Not a Substitute for Repentance

True repentance is a turning from sin (Jonah 3:8; Matthew 12:41; Acts 26:16-18). When man becomes so thoroughly filled with sorrow on account of his sins so that his will is subdued to the will of God and is willing to change his life, he has repented. At this point, he is ready to confess and be baptized.

The fruit of repentance is a changed and transformed life (Luke 3:8-14). Some want us to believe that we can continue to live in a state of sin after we are baptized (Romans 6:1-2; Colossians 3:5-11).

Baptism Is Not Water Salvation

The power of baptism isn’t in the water, but in the manifestation of faith and obedience which it implies (Romans 6:17).

We don’t baptize infants, which is evidence that we don’t teach water salvation. If there’s any power in infant baptism, it must be in the water. It can’t be in the condition of the child’s heart, for the child doesn’t know what’s taking place.