Do you want to ensure that any Bible related conversation you’re in turns into a heated fight? Bring up the subject of baptism. I’m not going to say that baptism is the single most divisive matter that Christians fight about, but it definitely ranks up there pretty high.
The vast majority of those who claim to be Christians in the world don’t just disagree with the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation but aggressively attack it. They just don’t get what a big tub of water has to do with taking a person out of their life of sin and placing them into the body of Christ and a state of redemption. I mean, just what exactly is the big deal about baptism after all?
The big deal about baptism has nothing to do with what I or you believe about baptism, with what any church teaches about baptism, or with even the water itself. The big deal about baptism is in what God has said about it through His word. For just a few minutes I want you to do me a favor. I want you to forget about everything you have ever been taught about baptism, everything you’ve ever heard pro/con regarding baptism, and anything that you may believe about baptism. And in those few minutes with an open mind read ten verses that tell us exactly what baptism does.
Baptism stands between the sinner and remission of sins. “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins…” (Acts 2:38).
Baptism stands between the sinner and washing. “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).
Baptism stands between the sinner and the death of Christ. “Are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3).
Baptism stands between the sinner and putting on Christ. “For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).
Baptism stands between the sinner and cleansing/sanctification. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Baptism stands between the sinner and resurrection. “In whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:11-12).
Baptism stands between the sinner and the kingdom. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Baptism stands between the sinner and the body of Christ. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
Baptism stands between the sinner and the church. “They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).
Baptism stands between the sinner and salvation. “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” (1 Peter 3:21).
So what do you think? Do those verses tell you anything about just how important baptism is to our relationship with God? But I know that somebody reading this article is thinking, “Well, sure. But I can give you a list of verses just as long that say it’s faith that saves us.” Right?
First, I am not saying that baptism by itself saves us. Baptism is simply the culminating act of our obedience that is initiated by faith. It is what puts us into Christ and the act that results in our sins being washed away. Our salvation by faith includes our obedience that will biblically always result in baptism.
Second, the Bible doesn’t disagree with itself. So to combat one set of verses with just another set of verses is to claim that it is contradictory and Christianity is a faith in vain. Every verse that emphasizes the importance of faith is in perfect harmony with every verse that emphasizes the importance of baptism. Where one is truly present the other will naturally follow.
So why is baptism a big deal? Is it because I’m trying to make it a big deal? Is it because a particular church is trying to make it a big deal? No! Baptism is a big deal because God said it was and that is enough for me.
-Andy
well done, Andy.