Prominent Religious Doctrines:
“The Purpose Of Baptism”

This subject is perhaps the most argued, the most denied, and the most misunderstood among people who say they believe in God, in Christ, and say they are saved. I myself have debated this subject twice between November of 1998 and March of 1999. I affirmed that baptism was necessary for the remission of sins and my opponent denied it. Why is this such a controversial topic? Why are people divided on this subject when the New Testament shows the necessity of baptism so clearly?

1. DEFINING BAPTISM: Baptism, as is used in the Bible, is “consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence .... to dip” (Vine’s Amplified Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 62). Mr. Thayer defines baptism as, “to immerge, submerge .... to overwhelm, to be overwhelmed with calamities, of those who must bear them” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon, p. 94). Therefore, baptism is an immersion in something. The context reveals the element.

2. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: The Bible mentions at least six baptisms, yet there is only one baptism in effect today (Eph. 4:4). This is baptism in water (Acts 8:36-39; I Pet. 3:20-21). What is its purpose? Jesus said that baptism was necessary for salvation (Mk. 16:15-16). As did Peter (Acts 2:38; I Pet. 3:21) and Ananias (Acts 22:16). The New Testament teaches that baptism stands between the sinner and salvation (Mk. 16:16; I Pet. 3:21). It stands between the sinner and the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Baptism stands between the sinner and washing sins away (Acts 22:16). It stands between the sinner and wearing the name “Christian” (I Cor. 1:13; Acts 11:26). Baptism stands between the sinner and life (Gal. 3:26-27). (Before baptism, one is spiritually dead, Eph. 2:1, 12). It stands between the sinner and spiritual freedom (Rom. 6:16-18).
   Baptism is not for babies, but for those who are able to hear the word of God (Acts 2:22; Mk. 16:15), believe that word (Rom. 10:17), repent of their sins (Acts 2:38; Lk. 13:3); and confess their faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:10). When one does these things, he is ready to be baptized for the remission of sins. The New Testament declares that baptism is not done to show the world that a person is saved, but is done in order to save a person (Mk. 16:16; I Pet. 3:21).
   Remember dear readers, if we are going to talk about this, or any other Bible subject, we must find out what the Bible says about the subject. It is not honest to look at passages that do not even mention the word “baptism” and try to deduce the purpose of baptism from those passages.

3. BAPTISM AND THE BLOOD OF CHRIST: When speaking of baptism, some will say we are not relying on the blood of Christ. Not so! The New Testament makes it clear that the blood of Christ saves us, just as baptism saves us. When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He said, “this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Notice that He said His blood was shed “for” or, in order to remit sins. No one denies this. In Acts 2:38, Peter told the people gathered in Jerusalem to, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Notice that whatever Christ’s blood is “for,” so also baptism is “for”!