|
|
|
|
Baptists On Baptism
In representing Baptists’ belief on baptism, I have no interest in misrepresenting their convictions. Nor, am I interested in offending them by my observations. This is simply a comparison of their beliefs with scripture in hopes that they will see the difference, because the salvation of souls is at stake.
It is generally understood by historians that Baptists were called “Baptists,” because of their practice of immersing (baptizing); hence, the church’s name came from its practice. Baptists say that a person can be saved without being baptized but a person must be baptized to get into the Baptist Church. It would seem, if a man can be saved without being a member of the Baptist Church, that the logical conclusion would be that the Baptist Church is non-essential.
One indication of Baptists’ belief on the significance of baptism is a confession made by a candidate for Baptist baptism. The question is generally asked of an aspirant for Baptist baptism: “Do you believe that God for Christ’s sake hath pardoned your sins?” To which the candidate must give an affirmative response. Such an answer means that the respondent does not believe that baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), because he confesses that he thinks his sins are forgiven before baptism. Furthermore, such a baptism could not be to “wash away sins,” (Acts 22:16), which was the purpose of Paul’s baptism.
In discussions, writings, etc., Baptists have been known to make such statements as “Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace,” and “It is a public declaration to the world that one is saved.” Which statements are beyond reconciliation with plain scripture. Paul said, “Know ye not, that so many of as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3). It is from baptism that we are raised to walk in newness of life – “therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
While baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, it does not symbolize our salvation. Scriptural baptism is submitted to by a repentant believer (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16) and must be done from the heart (Romans 6:17-18). It in baptism that one’s sins are washed away by the blood of Christ so that Peter could say, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doeth 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).
Baptists, of course, take the position they do on baptism, because they think that a person is saved by faith only and at the point of faith. The scripture says that a person is justified by faith (Romans 5:1) but not by fiath only (James 2:24). There is a world of difference between being saved by faith and being saved at the “point of faith.”
It is impossible for a person to be taught error and obey truth. If Baptist baptism is all one has known, he needs to be baptized with the right understanding. Upon believing in Christ, he should be baptized by the “authority of Christ” (Acts 2:38), “into a relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (Mathew 28:18-20), and for the right purpose, i.e., “for the remission of sins.” Then, he is a child of God by faith, for he has been baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-28). This does not make him a Baptist or a member of any denomination – it makes him a Christian. He must then serve Christ faithfully with all his heart. – Jim R. Everett
|
