The controversy over baptism should be no controversy at all. The only reason there is controversy over this important subject is because there are too many people listening to man instead of the inspired Word of God. God’s Word is clear. Baptism is essential. The purpose of baptism is to have one’s sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).
When a person is baptized, God performs a spiritual operation involving, figuratively speaking, the cutting away of sin. Paul refers to this and compares it to circumcision in Colossians 2:11-12. He tells us that in baptism we are putting off the body of the flesh, or as the NIV says, “the sinful nature.” This emphasizes the necessity of baptism.
Baptism also puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4). Take note of the language found in Romans 6:4. Paul tells us what baptism does. He wrote, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Why must a person be baptized? Inspiration tells us that it allows one to live a new life. Without being baptized a person cannot live a new life because his sins have not been forgiven.
This does not mean that there is something magical about water. Water cannot cleanse the soul. However, baptism is a God-given command that must be followed to enter into a right relationship with Him. Why? Because God said it. Period! Do not try to read God’s mind and determine why He has set forth such a command. This is none of our business. God has the sovereign right to command, and when He does, our only duty is to obey.
Since God commands a person to be baptized, one must comply to be saved. We have an example of this regarding the leprosy of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14). God, through the prophet Elisha, arranged for Naaman to be cleansed from leprosy. All he had to do was dip into the Jordan River seven times.
Being a Syrian, Naaman did not want to dip into the Jordan, preferring to dip into one of the rivers of Damascus. Of course, if he was not obedient to the instructions of God, he would remain a leper. In the end, he conceded and dipped into the Jordan and was cleansed.
Were the waters of the Jordan River somehow magical? No! Another leper could have jumped into the Jordan, and he would have remained a leper. The power belonged to God. Naaman was cleansed by His mercy, but in order to activate that mercy, he had to comply with God’s divine instructions. Spiritually, this is exactly why a person’s sins are forgiven when he is baptized. He is simply complying with God’s divine instructions. There is no magic in the water. He is forgiven by God’s mercy, but that mercy is activated when he does what God commands. That is what makes baptism essential.
Because following the instructions of God precisely is essential, it is possible to be baptized incorrectly. There is such a thing as unscriptural baptism. Baptism must be done for the right reason and in the right way, that is, the mode of the baptism is important. Over the years, many have gone down into some water, thinking they are being baptized, but their baptism has missed the mark because they were baptized for the wrong reason or in the wrong way.
Then, of course, some are baptized at the wrong time. They are baptized as infants before they can even believe. So, infant baptism involves, not only the wrong time (before believing) but also the wrong person, since belief is a prerequisite for being baptized (Mark 16:16).
What is the right reason for being baptized? One is baptized to have his or her sins forgiven and to become a child of God. Peter specifically said that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Baptism IS NOT an outward sign of an inward grace. That is denominational language not found in God’s sacred Book. Baptism is not something done to people who are saved, it is done to those who are outside of Christ for the express purpose of being added to the body of Christ (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:47; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Baptism, then, is not something you do to stay saved; it is something you do to become saved.
If you were baptized at a denominational church, you were probably baptized wrong since almost none of them teach baptism for the remission of sins. How can a person be taught wrong but baptized right?
Furthermore, the symbolism, as well as the expressed language used in the command to be baptized, makes it clear that baptism is a burial, not a sprinkling. The word baptize is from the Greek word baptizō and means “to immerse or submerge” (Strong). It is derived from the Greek word baptō which means “to cover wholly with a fluid” (Strong). So, we are not surprised that when Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, the Bible says that they both went down into the water (Acts 8:38). Likewise, we are not surprised when we read of Paul referring to the act of baptism as a burial (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12) and describes it as one being planted (Romans 6:5).
To summarize, then, baptism must be for the right reason (for the forgiveness of sins), done in the right manner (buried in the water), and involve the right candidate, (a person who has to ability to believe, repent, and confess Christ—John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32-3), for it to be valid. Baptism for any other reason, in any other manner, and upon any other type of person, is unscriptural baptism.
Make no mistake about it—baptism is necessary for one to become a child of God and be saved. Peter said, “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). How can one argue against baptism in light of such clear and plain revelation?