Volume XXX Number 10 OCTOBER 20, 2006
THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM Part 2
ACCORDING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT,
WHEN IS A BELIEVER TO BE BAPTIZED?
The examples of the New Testament clearly indicate that a believer is to be baptized as soon as is possible after the individual receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour. No biblical precedent can be offered that would permit a willful, rebellious, deliberate delay by any believer. The only biblical reason for waiting is a delay to be certain that the individual fully understands what salvation involves and why he or she is being baptized. Historically, Baptists have referred to baptism as "the first step of obedience for the believer."
When the individual is able to give a credible confession of faith, that person is a proper candidate for baptism. No other barrier ought to be erected. The only biblical reason for delay is to be certain that the individual fully understands salvation and baptism and the relationship of the two. Biblical precedent shows that baptism should follow salvation as soon as is reasonably possible. The commission of
The disciples were commanded to go everywhere doing three things as they went, and fulfilling those three things in a specified order:
(1) teaching the Gospel (Mark 16:15 "preach the gospel to every creature") to all who would listen,
(2) baptizing all those who received the Gospel, and,
(3) teaching all of those who had been baptized to observe the other commands of Christ.
As I under stand the instructions, any additional teaching of their converts (beyond the simple Gospel) was not to be entered into before baptism; that teaching was to start only after the person had submitted to the ordinance of baptism. For a believer to refuse to take this "first step of obedience" in following the command of his or her Lord and Saviour to be baptized is for that believer to take willful, deliberate steps of disobedience. Every displeasing believer refusing to follow the known revealed will of his or her Heavenly Father forfeits the position to receive any additional instruction. By that act of rebellion, he or she is grieving the Holy Spirit and, therefore, will not be taught or led by the Holy Spirit until that willful course of sinful action is repented and changed.
The scriptural pattern is clear:
1. The Gospel is to be presented.
2. Those who accept the Gospel message are to be baptized.
3. Those who have been baptized are to be taught the commands of Christ.
This exact pattern was followed for every baptism recorded in the New Testament (other than that of Christ Jesus by John the Baptist), including
(1) those baptisms by John before the ministry of Christ began,
(2) those baptisms administered by both John the Baptist and the apostles during the ministry of Christ, and
(3) every baptism recorded in the Book of Acts and the Epistles.
This pattern is the (only acceptable) standard for every legitimate New Testament church that has ever existed since the ministry of the Apostles ended. It is the (only acceptable) standard by which to judge any baptism. Baptism should follow salvation; baptism never precedes salvation. Baptism should follow salvation; baptism ought not be avoided or circumvented. Baptism is not an option, it is commanded.
ACCORDING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT,
WHERE IS A BELIEVER TO BE BAPTIZED?
The only scriptural stipulations concerning the "where?" of baptism is "into the water" and "with water."
The one (and the only) scriptural requirement concerning a physical location for baptism is "much water." Indeed a sufficient quantity of water is needed for no less than two individuals to enter and, at the same time, water deep enough for one of them to be buried, immersed, in the water.
There is no requirement in Scripture for "flowing water" or "riverside" or outdoor baptisms. There is no prohibition in Scripture regarding indoor baptisms. The only applicable standard is "much water," enough water to immerse fully or to cover the believer completely, in a manner picturing a burial.
ACCORDING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT,
BY WHOM IS THE BELIEVER TO BE BAPTIZED?
The commission of
The key question regarding valid scriptural baptism is "Is it possible today to identify a New Testament church?" Scripture provides a clear description that any sincere Bible student can discover.
A New Testament church as defined by the New Testament is a body of believers (First Corinthians 12:27) immersed upon a credible confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-4;
My personal experience would indicate (and my study of history confirms) that in all except the rare occasion, a church today that is able to meet these qualifications would generally (but not exclusively) be identified as a Bible-believing Baptist church. Understand that the name “Baptist” does not confer authority—the doctrine and practice give a church authority.
Unless a person has been baptized upon the authority of a New Testament church (and no other baptism is scriptural), his or her baptism is not valid and should not be recognized by any New Testament church. The "baptism" would have been administered without any authority of Scripture and, therefore, is not baptism at all. The situation of invalid baptism is similar as when a "marriage" is performed without legal authority or right; it is not recognized as a marriage. To perform weddings, a person must have the authority to do so. It is not legal, and actually illegal, for any individual to decide that he or she will begin to marry couples, no matter if the persons so married declare with all sincerity that they are satisfied and happy. (I once dealt with a sincere young couple who "did the job" themselves. They decided one day to exchange the vows (which they made up themselves) without benefit of license or legally acceptable authority. They were a lovely couple and most sincere; but they were not married! By the way, I had the joy to give them a legal valid marriage!) Any marriage performed without proper authority is invalid.
In Baptist theology, this kind of invalid baptism is called "alien baptism." The issue is never "is the individual involved satisfied?" The only legitimate question is "are the requirements of Scripture satisfied?" The Bible is the only source and the only authority for all matters of faith and practice for Bible believers. While some individuals tend to add or to subtract from the word of God at will to satisfy their own feelings and ideas, all such practice is sinful, arrogant, rebellious, filled wtih pride and never demonstrates a spiritual attitude. It will ultimately bring the judgment of the God of the word.
THEREFORE
Setting aside the traditions of religion and the reasonings of men, leaving the practices of various Christian denominations, forgetting about the influence of personal feelings and family background or ties, and basing our decision entirely within the context of Scripture, the only honest conclusion concerning baptism is that baptism is the one time rite or act of immersion in water exclusively intended for the believer, the child or God, whereby that believer personally and publicly identifies himself or herself with both his or her Lord and Saviour and with the local New Testament church by whose authority the baptism was administered.
THE ONE QUESTION FACING ALL BELIEVERS.
Have you been baptized since you were saved?
Yes_____ No_____
If your answer is yes, you may skip over this next question; but if your answer is "no," please read this next passage slowly and carefully.
THE ONE QUESTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE SAVED
BUT WHO HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED
Why is it that you have not followed the Lord Jesus in believer's baptism in obedience to His command?
Maybe you did not know you were supposed to be baptized.
Maybe you have not had an opportunity.
Maybe you have never before been shown the truth about baptism.
Maybe you realize that you listened to some person rather than the Lord.
Maybe you were misguided or even taught wrongly about baptism.
Maybe you been embarrassed or ashamed to take a public stand for the One Who died for your sins.
Maybe you have been fearful about being baptized.
Maybe you considered baptism too lightly.
Whatever the reason, if you are physically able to do so and refuse, what possible answer will you give to your Saviour for this deliberate act of disobedience and rebellion?
(Think this through: If you are saved, having by faith trusted the Lord to forgive you of your sins and to keep you out of hell, why are you unwilling to follow the command of the Lord to be baptized? Pointedly, let me ask, how could you trust Him for eternal salvation, and not trust Him, by the same kind of faith as that which saved you, to know what is best for you in this matter of baptism and to help you be obedient to His will and His word? Even if you are afraid of entering the water, can you not accept that He is able to protect you, and will you not believe that He will honor you if you obey? Will He not give you the grace to obey?)
If you have been saved, but have not submitted to baptism, the single question facing you regarding baptism is "are you willing to be scripturally baptized?" Will you agree to be baptized?
I am saved.
I know that I am trusting only in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to atone for my sins.
I know that the Lord Jesus Christ rose literally and bodily from the grave for my justification.
I know that I have personally received Him as my own personal Saviour.
I am willing to follow the command of my Lord and Saviour and submit myself to the ordinance of scriptural baptism.
Yes_____ No_____
If your answer is "No, I am not willing to be baptized," then I must honestly confront you with the truth.
Your action raises a serious doubt as to whether or not you are really saved. You are certainly deciding to disobey the Lord Jesus Christ, and you are doing so willfully and knowingly. You are in open defiant rebellion against the word of God.
If you are saved, I warn you that you can expect to be chastened for this sinful disobedience. Disobedience is sin. Every true believer receives chastisement for sin.
I beg you to repent and to do so before you are chastened. Do not continue this course of rebellion.
THE ONE QUESTION FOR BELIEVERS
WHO HAVE BEEN “BAPTIZED”
If you have been baptized, then the single question you must face is "Were you scripturally baptized?"
It is not at all important whether you were or are "satisfied" or whether someone else was or is "satisfied." The single issue facing you today is whether your baptism was satisfying to the Lord. Your motive is not the question; your obedience is the issue. Were you "baptized" in obedience to the command of some individual? Did you accept a “baptism” derived through some religious philosophy? Or, were you baptized in obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus?
The following questions will enable you to determine whether your baptism was scripturally valid or not.
1. I was baptized upon my profession of faith, after I was born again?
Yes_____ No_____
If you were trusting in your baptism to have any role in saving you (such as removing original sin or being the act of obedience required to be saved) either when you were baptized or if you are now trusting that your baptism somehow contributed to your gaining eternal life, then you are still just as lost today as you were before you were "baptized." There is no salvation, none whatsoever, available through baptism.
Sadly, if you are trusting in your baptism to wash away your sins, you are actually trusting in your works and not in the grace of God. You need to have "repentance from dead works and faith toward God" (Hebrews 6:1).
2. I was baptized by immersion (the act of being "dipped" under the water, of being "buried" in likeness of His burial) in water?
Yes_____ No_____
3. I was baptized under the authority of a New Testament church?
Yes_____ No_____
4. I was "buried" in baptism and was "raised to walk in newness of life" as my identification with the Lord Jesus Christ and with the church?
Yes_____ No_____
Unless you can honestly and factually answer "yes" to each of these questions, you have not been scripturally baptized. This is true regardless who might feel satisfied with that baptism. Whatever you received it was not Bible baptism. If you are saved, you are an unbaptized believer.
You have a genuine need to be baptized. For you now to refuse to obey the command of your Lord and Saviour makes you a nothing more than a rebellious child who is both out of the will of his or her God and out of fellowship with his or her Heavenly Father. Debate and delay concerning this matter are sin. You need to be obedient to your Lord. The simple issue for you to face is obedience, your personal conformity to the word of God and not personal feelings of satisfaction.
If your answers reveal that you were not baptized in obedience to and compliance with Scripture, then you face one more question.
THE ONE QUESTION FOR A PERSON
WHOSE “BAPTISM” WAS NOT SCRIPTURAL
Now that you know what you should do about being baptized in obedience to the Lord's command, what will you do with this knowledge?
If you are physically able to be immersed, are you willing to submit yourself in obedience and seek scriptural baptism?
Yes_____ No_____
If you are not presently physically able to be immersed, are you willing to submit yourself in obedience and seek scriptural baptism as soon as you are physically able to be immersed?
Yes_____ No_____
If you answer that you are not willing to be baptized, then please read the following verse:
Can you conceive of any answer that could possibly justify your refusal to obey the Lord that He will accept? Plainly, there are none.
Would it not be so much better for you to be obedient to the will of God than for you to have to face the disapproval and the chastisement of the Heavenly Father upon your life? And after life to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and suffer the loss of reward? Baptism is not presented as a small insignificant issue in Scripture and baptism ought not to considered a nonessential in your life. Baptism is not some minor command, and, even if baptism were the least of the commands of Christ, you should still submit in obedience.
For a believer to choose not to keep the command of Christ is for that believer to display a lack of love for Him.
Your baptism is central to your relationship to your Lord. Certainly an individual can be saved and never be baptized, live a long life and die and go to heaven. The question is why on earth would anyone want to do so!
What profit for you can there be in deliberate disobedience? What motive could there be in refusing to follow the example and the command of the Saviour Who died for you? Why would a believer desire to live out of fellowship with the Heavenly Father? What joy could come from facing Christ and confessing that you have been rebellious? What possible reason can justify refusal to be baptized?
Has the Spirit of God touched your heart about baptism? If you have any desire to baptized, that urging came from the Holy Spirit. He is leading you to be obedient to the word of God.
Would you like to be submissive to the will of God? Are you willing to trust God for any strength that you might need? If so, then determine today that you will be obedient.
MY BAPTISM
Thou hast said, exalted Jesus,
Take thy cross and follow Me;
Shall the word with terror seize us?
Shall we from the burden flee?
Lord, I’ll take it, And rejoicing follow Thee.
While this liquid tomb surveying,
Emblem of my Saviour’s grave,
Shall I shun its brink, betraying
Feelings worthy of a slave?
No; I’ll enter: Jesus entered
Blest the sign which thus reminds me,
Saviour, of Thy love for me;
But more blest the love that binds me
In its deathless bonds to Thee
Oh, what pleasure, Buried with my Lord to be.
Should it rend some fond connection,
Should I suffer shame or loss,
Yet the fragrant, blest reflection,
I have been where Jesus was,
Will revive me When I faint beneath the cross.
Fellowship with Him possessing,
Let me die to earth and sin:
Let me rise to enjoy the blessing
Which the faithful soul shall win:
May I ever Follow where my Lord has been.
—John Eustace Giles, 1837
THE NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES FOR
THE RELEVANT GREEK WORDS BEARING ON THIS STUDY
All agree that the English words "baptize, baptism and baptist" are transliterations of the Greek words and are not translations. No dictionary or theological work disputes this fact.
THE ENGLISH WORD "baptize"
TAKEN FROM THE GREEK WORD "baptizo" baptizo
THE ENGLISH WORD "baptism"
TAKEN FROM THE GREEK WORD "baptismos"baptismos
Romans 6:4 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.
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
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.
Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
THE ENGLISH WORD "Baptist"
TAKEN FROM THE GREEK WORD "baptistes" baptistes
Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of
Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 14:2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Matthew 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Mark 6:14 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
Mark 6:24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
Mark 6:25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Luke 7:20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the
Luke 7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
Luke 9:19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
A SAMPLING OF UNSCRIPTURAL TEACHINGS CONCERNING BAPTISM
The following comments are quotations taken from statements of doctrinal belief written or distributed by the person or group identified. No suggestion should be inferred that every member of one of these identified religious group believe what is recorded here. It is a fact of life, that not all of those who identify with any particular cause understand all that the cause represents or believes. This is true even of some of those who call themselves Baptists. Such conduct is not a virtue; but it is reality. Obviously not all of the false teaching concerning baptism is included in this section. I have underlined statements that I do not wish you to miss.
JOHN WESLEY
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote and the
It is certain that our church supposes that all who are baptized in their infancy are at the same time born again ... If infants are guilty of original sin they cannot be saved in the ordinary way, unless this be washed away by baptism.
Into what do we Methodists baptize adults?
By baptism we, who are by nature children of wrath, are made the children of God ... In all ages the outward baptism is a means of the inward ... By water then, as a means—the water of baptism—we are regenerated or born again.
Wesley's Works, volume 6, section 4
In his vast work, Notes on the New Testament, Mr. Wesley wrote the following commentary concerning the individually cited verses:
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: This includes the whole design of Christ's commission. Baptizing and teaching are the two great branches of that general design. And these were to be determined by the circumstances of things: which made it necessary in baptizing adult Jews or heathens, to teach them before they were baptized; in disciplining their children, to baptize them before they were taught; as the Jewish children, in all ages, were first circumcised, and after taught to do all God had commanded them.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Except he experience the great inward change by the Spirit, and be baptized (whatever baptism can be had), as the outward sign and means of it.
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Baptism, administered to real penitents, is both a means and a seal of pardon. Nor did God ordinarily in the primitive Church bestow this on any, unless through this means.
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? In baptism we, through faith, are ingrafted into Christ; and we draw new spiritual life from this new root, through His Spirit, who fashions us like unto Him, and particularly with regard to His death and resurrection
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For by that one Spirit, which we received in baptism, we are all united in one body.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. For as many of you as have testified of your faith by being baptized in the name of Christ, have put on Christ—have received Him as your righteousness, and are therefore sons of God through Him.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: The thing typified by the ark, even baptism, now saveth us—that is, through the water of baptism we are saved from the sin which overwhelms the world as a flood; not, indeed, the bare outward sign, but the inward grace; a Divine consciousness that both our persons and our actions are accepted through Him who died and arose again for us.
JOSEPH SMITH
Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the Latter Day Saints (in all its branches) taught, and all Latter Day Saints, Reorganized and otherwise, still teach as follows:
Nature of Baptism—In the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, water baptism ranks as the third principle and the first essential ordinance of the Gospel. Baptism is the getaway leading into the fold of Christ, the portal to the Church, the established rite of naturalization in the
The Establishment of Baptism dated from the time of the earliest history of the race. When the Lord manifested Himself to Adam after the expulsion from the Garden of Eden, He promised the patriarch of the race: `If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all they transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of my Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you ... . And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man. (
No one has reason to hope for salvation except by complying with the laws of God, of which baptism is an essential part. (Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses, page 134)
Baptism required of All—The universality of the law of baptism has been already dwelt with. Compliance with the ordinance has been shown to be an essential to salvation, and this condition applies to all mankind. Nowhere in scripture is a distinction made in this regard between the living and dead. The dead are those who have lived in mortality upon the earth: the living are mortals who yet shall pass through the ordained change that we call death. All are children of the same Father, all to be judged and rewarded or punished by the same unerring justice, with the same interpositions [sic] of benignant mercy. (Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses, page 145)
Work of the Living for the Dead—The redemption of the dead will be affected in accordance with the law of God, which is written in justice and framed in mercy. It is alike impossible for any spirit, in the flesh or disembodied, to obtain promise of eternal glory except on condition of obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. And, as baptism is essential to the salvation of the living, it is likewise indispensable to the dead.
Herein is shown the necessity of vicarious work—the living ministering in behalf of the dead; the children doing for their progenitors what is beyond the power of the latter to do for themselves. (Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses, page 149, 150)
MARY BAKER EDDY
Mary Baker Eddy (also having the last names of Glover, Patternson, and Frye, at various times in her much married life), the founder of Christian Science, who taught of death:
DEATH. An illusion, the lie of life in matter, the unreal and untrue; the opposite of Life.
Matter has no life, hence it has no real existence. Mind is immortal. The flesh, warring against Spirit; that which frets itself free from one belief of life where Life is not yields to eternal life. Any material evidence of death is false, for it contradicts the spiritual facts of being.
also said of baptism:
BAPTISM. Purification by Spirit; submergence in Spirit. We are "willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures; Mary Baker Eddy, pages 584,581)
MARTIN LUTHER
Dr. Martin Luther, who birthed the Lutheran denomination, wrote
What does Baptism give or profit?
It gives forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.
How can water do such great things?
It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God with water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost.
Luther's Small Catechism, page 16-17
What great things, then, does Baptism give or work?
A. It works forgiveness of sins;
B. It delivers from death and the devil;
C. It gives eternal salvation.
Luther's Small Catechism, page 174
THE
Several years ago, an individual named Ray Hawk, at that time an evangelist serving the Bellview Church of Christ of
Yes, the body of Christ IS THE CHURCH (capitalization in the original)! It is just that simple. To be in the body is to be in the church. To be in the church is to be in the body of Christ. One enters the church by water baptism, Acts 2:38-41. But, to enter the church is to enter the body of Christ! Salvation is found IN (capitalization in original) the body/church of Christ! Therefore, since water baptism is the entrance into the church/body, and salvation is a blessing found IN (capitalization in original) that body/church, water baptism is essential to our salvation, I Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16.
I believe what the Bible does. We are immersed in water to be immersed into Christ and into his (lack of capitalization in original) death, Rom. 6:3,4. Christ shed his (lack of capitalization in original) blood in his (lack of capitalization in original) death. When we get into his (lack of capitalization in original) death by baptism, we come in contact with his (lack of capitalization in original) blood. BLOOD (capitalization in original) is WHAT (capitalization in original) washes our sins, Matt. 26:28. WATER BAPTISM (capitalization in original) is WHEN (capitalization in original) our sins are washed away, Acts 2:38.
His comments certainly represent a fair presentation of the belief of the Disciples of Christ.
THE
Pope Paul VI, with the title of Vicar of Christ, issued June 30, 1968, the Profession of the Faith of the Catholic Church in which he stated
We believe in one Baptism instituted by Our Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
Baptism should be administered even to little children who have not yet been able to be guilty of any personal sin, in order that, though born deprived of supernatural grace, they may be reborn "of water and the Holy Spirit" to the divine life in Christ Jesus.
The New
315. What is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become children of God and heirs of heaven.
316. What sins does Baptism take away?
Baptism takes away original sin; and also actual sin and all the punishment due to them, if the person baptized be guilty of any actual sins and truly sorry for them.
318. Who can administer Baptism?
The priest is the usual minister of Baptism, but if there is danger that someone will die without baptism, anyone else may and should baptize.
321. How can those be saved who through no fault of their own have not received the sacrament of Baptism?
Those who no fault of their own have not received the sacrament of Baptism can be saved through what is called baptism of blood or baptism of desire.
However, only Baptism of water actually makes a person a member of the Church. It might be compared to a ladder up which one climbs into the Bark of Peter, as the Church is often called.
Baptism of blood or desire makes a member of the Church in desire. These are the two lifelines trailing from the sides of the Church to save those who are outside the Church through no fault of their own.
The New
148 ... . Baptism washes away all sins. If a person were to die right after Baptism, he would go straight to heaven.
The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism (imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman) contains the following doctrinal statements.
41. What did Baptism do for you?
Baptism washed away original sin from my soul and made it rich in the grace of God.
Baptism is birth.
By it we are born of God.
He sends His Son into our soul.
God becomes our Father too.
Mary becomes our Mother.
The Holy Spirit pours grace into us.
Baptism washes us from original sin.
It drives away the devil.
He can no longer hurt us unless we let him.
THE
The Westminister Shorter Catechism, authorized by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the
88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, especially the Word, Sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
91. How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of His Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
92. What is a Sacrament?
A Sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible sign, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
93. Which are the Sacraments of the New Testament?
The Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.
94. What is Baptism?
Baptism is a Sacrament, wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our engrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.
95. To whom is Baptism to be administered?
Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him, but the infants of such as are members of the visible Church, are to be baptized.
A FINAL WORD
The act of quoting what a group declares is the belief of that organization is not an insult to the people and it is not an attack upon them. It is simply stating what they claim to believe.
Baptists do not agree that baptism has any connection with salvation. Baptism is entirely a matter of the obedience or disobedience of the believer. No Baptist is embarrassed or ashamed to have that declaration of belief shouted from the housetops. Generations before us, thousands upon thousands of Baptists died for the refusal to have their children baptized as babies. No Baptist, however, ever forced their belief upon anyone else. Baptists have lived and died for soul liberty.
Baptism never opened the door of Heaven for anyone and the lack of baptism never closed the door of Heaven to anyone. Baptism is the profession of personal faith in the LORD Jesus Christ for salvation.
I rest my case. You make the decision.
—Dr. Jerald Manley
