What does the Bible Teach Regarding Baptism? And He [Jesus] said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6-8 A Typical Evangelical STATEMENT ON BAPTISM: Our Evangelical (Baptist, Methodist, Reformed, E-Free, Non-Denominational, etc.) Church believes Scriptural teaching on Baptism may be summarized as follows: 1. Baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Christ, fulfilled by individuals who have received His forgiveness and submitted themselves to His leadership. 2. Baptism symbolizes a heart washing by God’s forgiveness and also an identification with Christ in His death and resurrection as the individual dies to an old way of life and lives a new life in Him. 3. Baptism provides an opportunity for believers to make a formal profession of their faith before the church and the world. 4. Baptism is a Biblical rite of initiation into the body of Christ, and it may (depending on the denomination) therefore be considered a prerequisite for joining the membership of the church What does the Bible teach? First, some ground rules for this study: 1. A Christian should not believe any more, nor any less concerning what baptism is and does than what the Scriptures clearly teaches about it. 2. We should use inductive Bible study methods, also known as “Scripture interprets Scripture,” when trying to learn anything from the Bible. This begins with disposing of our own presuppositions and assumptions so that we don’t read the ideas of our own minds into God’s words in the Bible. Secondly, we need to understand something regarding “decisions for Christ:” Take a close and careful look at the passages below. I encourage you to go through them thoroughly and in context when you have a chance. Also note that these texts are not simply one or two passages ripped out of context to teach something that is not even there if you read them in their fuller context. It is important to note the harmony of these passages on this issue. This is not fringe doctrine (teaching) created by man from a single verse ripped out of context, but it is an orthodox doctrine (orthodox means “right teaching”) clearly taught from the very word of God. One important rule of interpretation is that Scripture interprets Scripture. That means that if we find a passage that is not wholly clear in it’s meaning, we don’t make
up an interpretation for it, but seek other passages that teach clearly on the subject to determine what God’s intended meaning is in the less clear passage. This is also known as inductive Bible study (IBS) which was mentioned above Take a moment to answer the study questions after each passage to go deeper and gain a better understanding of each passage. John 1:11-13 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (NIV 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God). Question: 1. Being “born... of God” is synonymous with what other term that Jesus used with Nicodemus in John 3:3,7? 2. According to John, being “born again” (born of God) happens on whose terms? In other words, is being born again something that happens because of our will, or because of God’s will? 3. Does this passage teach that being born again is a based on our decision of God’s? John 6:43-44 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” Question: 1. Can anyone answer Jesus’ call to “Come after (follow) me,” if God does not first draw them? 2. If you have a Greek Lexicon, look up the word translated as “draw.” This word means to pull in, drag, draw or haul in. This word implies the pulling of an inanimate or lifeless object by the willful actions of another. In other passages the word means to “lead by force,” such as in Acts 16:19; 21:30 and James 2:6) It is the same word used for the drawing of a fishing net (Jn 21:6, 11) or a sword (Jn 18:10). Does a sword need to will for itself to be drawn before it is drawn? 3. Does the fishing net, previously to being drawn in, “make a decision” to be drawn up into the boat? 4. According to the meaning of the Greek word used here which is translated “draw,” in what state can we assume the will is in of those who are being drawn to Christ before they can come to Him? 5. Does this passage teach that being born again is based on a our decision of God’s?
John 3:3-8 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Question: 1. Why do you think, when Nicodemus asked Jesus how to be born again, Jesus didn’t tell him to make a decision to believe in Him and make Him the Lord of his life? 2. Would Jesus have compared being born again with the wind which cannot be controlled, predicted, captured or harnessed, but blows where it wishes, and then say, “So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit,” if being born again were as simple as Nicodemus making a decision for Christ? 3. Does Jesus teach that being born again is based on our decision or the Spirit’s? John 6:63-65 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” Question: 1. Who can come to Jesus whom the Father does not first grant it to them? 2. If the Spirit is the One Who gives us life, but the passage goes on to say that the flesh is no help at all, who is the passive, inactive, or “unhelpful” individual in the act of regeneration (being born again)? God, or us? 3. Does this passage teach that being born again is based on our decision or God’s? Romans 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Question: 1. If our mind, set on the flesh (before we have faith and are born again in Christ) is literally hostile (Gr. enemy, enmity, hateful, hostility) to God and it says we cannot obey God, can we obey His command to repent and believe in Christ on our own or by our own will? 2. If there is only hostility on our part toward God, prior to being regenerated (born again) are we capable of making a decision to believe, love and trust in God?
Ephesians 2:1-5, 8-10 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ... 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Question: 1. This passage describes our unregenerate state (i.e., prior to being made new creations in Christ) as being “dead in trespasses and sins.” Can a dead person decide to be made alive? 2. Can a hostile, resistant “dead” sinner choose to no longer be a “son of disobedience” and decide to become themselves a “child of God?” 3. What state does verse 5 say we are in when God regenerates us, or “made us alive together with Christ”? 4. Does this passage teach that being born again is our decision or God’s? The Scriptures on Baptism As you go through these passages, remember to not project any of your presuppositions onto, nor inject any of your assumptions into them. Pay careful attention to the text, the exact words and grammar. Look at the verbs and think about what this is saying. At first, depending on your religious upbringing, you may be tempted to think, that can’t be what the text is saying. Rest assured. What God’s word says, it means. God does not make mistakes, only we do. Answering the questions following each passage will require you to use good reading comprehension skills. Feel free to reread the passages if you are unsure of the answer. Do not add any words to the text! In Acts 2, Luke, under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, records for us the words of Peter’s “Great Pentecost Sermon.” During the climax of this amazing oration the Apostle Peter tells his hearers that they are guilty of crucifying Jesus. The passage tells us that upon hearing these words, those listening were “cut to the heart” and asked the apostles what they should do to be saved. Verse 38 records Peter’s answer to their question. Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Question 1: 1. According to what the text says, this baptism was for the purpose of what two things?
Acts 22:12-16 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ Question 2: 2. According to the text, what did Ananias say would be washed away in Saul/Paul’s baptism? Not sure? Read Acts 2:38 again. Rom 6:3-4 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Questions 3 & 4: 3. According to this text, what were we baptized into when we were baptized? 4. What other verbs do these verses use in conjunction with Baptism? Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Question 5: 5. According to this text, what were we clothed with (what have we put on) when we were baptized? Col 2:11-12 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, Questions 6-8: 6. According to these verses, what is Baptism equated with? 7. Who is doing the circumcising? 8. What other verbs are attached to Baptism?
Answers to Baptism Passage Questions 1-8: 1. Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit 2. Sin (If your answer for either Q. 1 or 2 contained words like “represent” or “symbolizes,” correct your answers. These words are NOT in the text and should not be added, even in your answer. Let God’s word speak fro itself!) 3. Christ’s death 4. Buried 5. Christ 6. Circumcision 7. Christ 8. Buried, raised The Promises of Baptism Given To Us In God’s Word According to the Scriptures, in Baptism: 1. Our sins are washed away and forgiven (Acts 2:38) 2. We are baptized into Christ’s death (Rom 6:3-4) 3. We were buried with Christ in order that we might live a new life (Rom 6:3-4) 4. We were clothed with Christ (Gal 3:27) 5. We were raised with Christ (Col 2:11-12) 6. Our hearts were circumcised by Christ (Col 2:11-12) Bonus Question: According to the text who is doing all the work in Baptism? Us, the pastor, or God? Answer: God. According to clear passages in the Bible, only God has authority to forgive sins. We die with Christ, are buried with Christ, live with Christ, are clothed by Christ and our hearts are circumcised by Christ. The text goes to great pains to say “circumcision made without hands” and “by the circumcision of Christ.” The Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch Warning: The questions after this passage will be a little tougher. In Acts 8, Luke records the account of the conversion and baptism of an Ethiopian eunuch. Here is the passage. Acts 8:26-39 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Questions 9 &10: 9. How many people were present for this Baptism? 10.What was the purpose of this Baptism? The Baptism of the Philippian Jailer In Acts 16, Luke records the events surrounding the conversion and baptism of the Philippian jailer. Here is the passage. Acts 16:25-34 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. Questions 11 & 12: 11. What time of day was it when the Baptism occurred? 12. What was the purpose of this Baptism?
Answers to Baptism Passage Questions 9-12: 9. The text doesn’t say. We know there were at least 3. Phillip, the Ethiopian Eunuch, and the man that was ordered to stop the chariot. This wasn’t a very ‘public’ baptism. Public baptisms do not normally take place in the dessert, at a moment’s notice, immediately after a person converts. 10.This is where you have to use your inductive Bible study skills. The text does not clearly tell us what the purpose of the baptism is. Go back to clear passages that deal with Baptism. Take what you learn from them and apply it here. We know that it was for the forgiveness of his sins, to baptize him into Christ’s death, to bury him with Christ, to raise him with Christ, to clothe him in Christ and to have his heart circumcised by Christ. 11. Midnight or the middle of the night. Again notice that this baptism is far from public. Public baptisms do not normally take place at midnight, at a moments notice, immediately after a person converts. 12. Again, take what you’ve learned from the clear passages and apply it here. We know that it was for the forgiveness of his sins, to baptize him into Christ’s death, to bury him with Christ, to raise him with Christ, to clothe him in Christ and to have his heart circumcised by Christ. Bonus Question: How can water do such great things? Answer: Water can’t do this by itself. However, water mixed with God’s word can accomplish what it says it will accomplish, for it is God Himself Who said that it will. Baptism Saves 1 Peter 3:18-21 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Questions 13-14: 13. Is Baptism my work, or God’s work done in me through a physical means (i.e., water) mixed with His word? 14. If Baptism saves us, then does that mean that it’s a work that I have to do in order to save myself? 15. Finish the sentence by adding the four missing words: “Baptism now saves you through the _______ _______ _______ _______.
Answers: 13. According to the clear passages on Baptism it is God’s work, saving us through an objective, physical means that is outside of ourselves (e.g., contrasted with feelings, decisions that we make, or a self-perceived sense of personal self-righteousness, or a perceived level of sanctification). We can always point back to our baptisms for assurance and comfort. 14. Since Baptism is entirely God’s work, and we are merely the passive receivers of Baptism, we cannot consider Baptism a work that we do in order to save ourselves. 15. Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Scripture is very clear that Baptism saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, further emphasizing the fact that it is not our work, but all because of and through Christ’s work! Summary God’s Word is sure and true. We do not need to doubt it, but can trust it. God’s word works faith in us while Baptism seals us with the promises found in God’s word concerning it. Now that you have gone through what God’s word says concerning Baptism, go back and compare what the typical Evangelical Statement On Baptism is. Can any of this be found in God’s word? Is this what the clear passages on Baptism teach? If not it should be rejected as contrary to God’s word. Anything that does not line up with what God’s word clearly teaches must be considered nothing more than false teaching, or as Jesus put it, the “commandments of men” or the “traditions of men” (Mark 7:7-8). Paul also calls these “doctrines of demons” (1 Tim 4:1). When we believe and trust in God’s word, taking it at face value, we will find that it is of great comfort and actually increases our faith. To doubt or disbelieve these promises actually causes doubt to grow in us more and more the longer we refuse to believe God’s word. However, to believe God’s word actually increases our faith and that faith only grows stronger the longer God preserves us in that faith. Isn’t it incredible to learn about and believe the comforting promises that God has given in His word concerning Baptism? The strange and sad thing is that some Christians don’t want to believe these promises that are for them. Instead they’d rather trust in their own understanding rather than stand firmly on the word of God. When they stop believing the clear and sure promises that God has given them it leaves a huge hole their faith. In turn, they have to start looking elsewhere for promises. Usually what ends up happening is that they start adopting promises that God did make in His word, but these promises were never meant for us. These are often promises that God made to Abraham, Moses, Joshua, or other specific people and people groups that are not you or I at all!
It’s better to just stick with the clear promises that God has made specifically to the Christian Church than to start twisting His word to make foreign promises our own. These are the only promises that we can “take to the bank� and have full faith in!