In the 19th century a new version of the Bible was proposed to replace the King James Version. Great enthusiasm was generated for
the project. Plain words would be used. Special words and foreign words would be replaced by commonly understood English
words. One of the difficulties lay in translating the words baptize and baptism. Both of these are Greek words which have been left
untranslated in our Bibles.
Objections were raised to replacing these words with well-understood words such as immerse and immersion. Church leaders had
taken positions which these plain words would expose. The new translation failed to gain approval because of the views of religious
leaders. It was not a problem of understanding the The result is that we are left with 20th century understandings that are different
from the intentions of first century writers. What could have been made plain was left for the interpretation of theologians.
Consider these passages: "And it came about in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was immersed by John
in the Jordan." (Mark 1:9) "Therefore we have been buried with him through immersion into death, in order that as Christ was raised
from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)
The meaning is made much clearer by the simple process of substituting the easily understood words, immerse or immersion, for
the religious terms baptize or baptism. Other problems are encountered when we try to understand the importance of baptism.
Positions range from "it is not necessary" to "it secures salvation all by itself."
Neither view accurately reflects what the scriptures seem to plainly say. For example: Jesus said, "Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.." (Mark 16:16) Can something which Jesus plainly said to do be
labeled "unnecessary?"
Consider also what Peter wrote. "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you -- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an
appeal to God for a good conscience -- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:21) According to Peter there is a sense in
which baptism saves you, just as there was a sense in which the water of the flood saved Noah.
What are we to do with the many passages that teach salvation by faith? Are we to set them aside because of the importance of
baptism? God forbid. Neither should we set aside the passages that teach the necessity of baptism because of those which stress
faith. The passages that stress our need for faith mean just that. Without faith there is no salvation. If it is not faith that leads a person
to baptism there is no salvation.
The true meaning of the Bible cannot be discovered while rejecting the verses on either faith or baptism. Neither are we to reject the
necessity of the blood of Jesus, the grace of God and repentance. The discovery of one truth should not lead to the neglect of other
truths.
The question is not a matter of how we are saved. Of course, it is a matter of the grace of God. The question is a matter of when.
Consider what Peter taught. When asked the question, "Brothers, what must we do to be saved?" he replied, "Repent, and let each of
you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:37,
38) Those who accepted the teaching of Peter were baptized. "And there were added that day about three thousand souls."
It is in baptism that we become a part of the body of Christ. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or
Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13)
Both Matthew and Mark emphasize the importance of baptism in the work of conversion. When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach,
his instructions in Matthew were to make disciples by baptizing people. In Mark, his instructions were to baptize those who believed
the gospel.
Both Matthew and Mark stress the importance of baptism. One connects baptism with becoming a disciple. The other connects
baptism with salvation. The story of Paul's conversion from Jew to Christian vividly shows us what is important. The story begins in
Acts 9 with some details provided in Acts 22 and 26. The name "Saul" is used in chapter 9 and "Paul" from chapter 13 on.
As Paul journeyed toward Damascus he suddenly was blinded by a bright light. When he understood that it was Jesus who had
confronted him, he asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" He was told to go to Damascus for further instructions. When he arrived in the city,
he spent three days in fasting and prayer. Finally, Ananias arrived at the house with instructions from the Lord. Paul was told about
his future work. Ananias laid his Upon his baptism, Paul immediately began serving the Lord. In Damascus and later in Jerusalem
and other places, Paul preached the message about Jesus. His baptism marked the beginning of his ministry.
Please note that Paul says his sins were washed away when he was baptized. He does not say that he was forgiven when he saw
Jesus on the road to Damascus. Seeing Jesus did not save him. Accepting the authority of Jesus in baptism was essential.
Consider another aspect of baptism. Some say that they have Holy Spirit baptism and then, later, water baptism. They contend that
they are saved in the first and show their faith in the second.
A very simple passage of scripture is found in Ephesians 4:5: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." The context is important for
understanding the verse. In Acts 19, those who received John's baptism were baptized again. So we have to understand "one
baptism" in the light of that passage.
A main point in Ephesians is that there is only one group that is God's people. There is no longer a distinction between Jew and
Gentile. God has broken down the barriers and joined people together in his church. For those who now belong to God, there is "one
Lord, one faith and one baptism." There is no room for division because there is "one."
John's baptism was in preparation for the coming of Jesus. It was administered under his authority. Now, baptism must be accepted
under the authority of Jesus. When baptism is divided into "Holy Spirit baptism" and "water baptism," there are too many baptisms.
For Christians there is only "one" baptism.
A study of Acts will quickly lead to the conclusion that both water and Spirit are elements of the one baptism. The Holy Spirit comes
when people are immersed in water. That should not be found surprising because that is exactly what happened when Jesus was
baptized. When he came out of the water, the Spirit descended and the Father declared, "This is my beloved Son."
Baptism is an immersion which marks the beginning of one's service to God.
Bible Verses for Study
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16:16
John 3:3-5
Acts 2:38-41
Acts 8:12
Acts 8:35-39
Acts 9:1-19
Acts 10:44-48
Acts 16:13-15
Acts 16:25-34
Acts 18:5-8
Acts 19:1-5
Acts 22:3-16
Romans 6:1-4
1 Corinthians 12:13
Galatians 3:26-29
Ephesians 4:5
Titus 3:5
1 Peter 3:21
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