Does it really matter how I am baptized?
Water baptism is quite significant according to the word of God. It signifies our burial with Christ as he was buried and our resurrection with him as he was resurrected. The coming out of the water signifies that we are also resurrected into a newness of life as Christ was resurrected and Glorified. The Bible states that those who have chosen the way of Christ shall take off mortal and put on immortal. The bible also states that we also shall have Glorified bodies that will live eternally. The method of Baptism is important in that you are telling God that you believe what his word says and not what some Priest, Pastor or any other leader of any other faith has to say. When you obey the method of baptism, you are telling God you believe and are wanting and willing to follow HIS WORD, HIS WAY. Lets observe the written word concerning the above written statements. Lets always observe what the word of God has to say:
Romans: 6:4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
1 Corinthians: 15:50-54: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Acts: 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, 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.
Acts: 8:12: But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts:10:48: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts:19:5: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Romans: 6:3-4: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Gal: 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
I have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Isn't that good enough?
This topic is one of the most commonly misinterpreted lines of scripture in the entire New Testament. Lets look at what the verse of Scripture itself:
Matthew: 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The Apostles were instructed to teach and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. So what did they do? The following is the first record of their obedience to the above commandment given to them by the Lord Jesus. Lets see what they commanded to the crowd in Jerusalem while they stood with the 120 in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:12-2:38).
Acts: 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, 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.
That's right friend, they commanded baptism in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST. The Apostles knew very well what Jesus was instructing them to do as they had walked with him while he healed and taught during his ministry. There was no doubt in their minds as to the name that should be used for baptism. Lets observe the above scripture in its content. It says in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; not the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. There is only one name by which we can be saved. That name is Jesus. Lets see what the Bible says:
Isaiah: 43:11: I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no Saviour.
Isaiah: 43:25: I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Acts: 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 Timothy: 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Confirmed, there is only one name whereby we must be saved, the Apostles knew it and they commanded baptism under it. Lets not let this topic be confused any longer friends. Jesus is the only name that can wash away our sins. His name is given all power in Heaven and in Earth. Jesus said:
Matthew: 28:18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
If you truly believe what Jesus said then why would any one want to be baptized under any other method or name? There is only One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism:
Ephesians: 4:5: One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Let's not let this issue become misinterpreted any longer friends. Let me ask you all this one question concerning this topic. If your soul depended on your reactions to the written word, (and it does), then what will you do now that you have seen what is written? What do you have to loose? Your soul. What do you have to gain? Eternal life. How much faith do you place on these particular scriptures that instruct us as to what we must do? The choice is yours.
My church says it isn't necessary to be baptized in Jesus name. What does the Bible say?
This topic was covered somewhat in the heading "Does it really matter how I am baptized". However there is more I have to add concerning this particular heading which I believe needs to be clarified. The first being the church we find ourselves currently attending. If you are attending a church that is not implementing the entire written truth from the pulpit, then you need to ask yourself the following questions:
Do I want to stay in this church?
How much doctrine has been left by the wayside?
How important is this missing doctrine to the eternal well being of my soul?
Am I showing up to the church on Sundays just because I know I should or because I really want to worship God?
Am I worried about what the person next to me thinks if I sing, or cry, or lift up my hands to God and worship him?
Or, am I more concerned with what the lady or gentleman next to me is wearing to service that day?
Do I spend any time studying the word of God?
Is my heart truly in the church house to worship God and to seek him in my worship towards him?
Am I just here because I want to do what everyone else is doing or am I truly here to seek and worship my creator and savior JESUS CHRIST?
Choose your Spiritual leaders wisely...
1John: 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Jude: 1:4: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew: 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew: 24:11: And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mark: 13:22: For false Christ's and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
2 Corinthians: 11:12-13: But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2 Peter: :2:1: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
In addressing the church body, let me add to the above paragraph; it does not matter what name any denomination calls itself. It does not matter where any denomination has its geographical roots. It does not matter how large the body of this denomination is as compared to that of the rest of the world's denominations (or separations as I call them). It does not matter if the man preaching to you has a Ph.D. or is a Theologian and well versed in bible doctrine. All that matters is "Is the whole truth of the original Biblical Manuscripts being preached across that pulpit and does the church and the man standing behind that pulpit walk in those words that are being preached? And, does that man instruct that the body of the church he has been called to lead should walk in those written words likewise? That is the true importance. We often find ourselves assembled in the House of God as though we were going to some sort of social group meeting. We see young ladies scantly dressed in the house of God. We see and hear unholy conduct being committed in the house of God. What is this friends? The house of God is a place of worship. Are we mocking God? Ask yourself this question and pretend you are standing in front of your creator. We cannot lie to him friend. He knows every thought in our minds. He is omniscient:
Job: 42:2: I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee;
Psalms 139:1-6: O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Ask yourself, "are my actions that of a Christian", or as defined (Christ-like)? I ask myself this very question daily. And I would endeavor to say that we should all constantly be asking ourselves this question daily. Now concerning the necessity of baptism as instructed by one's church leaders. I would answer with the following:
"Trust your soul to no man's words. Verify that every word preached is in accordance to the written word of God. The Bible instructs us to do so:"
1 John: 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
If Jesus didn't think it important enough for the apostles to preach baptism into HIS name, he would not have instructed them to do so. He is Lord. He is the author of the written commandments. He shall make the final judgments based upon our faith in those commandments. Obey HIS commandments and you will be saved. I will say again that friends, times, men, women, opinions, technologies, civilizations and to add DOCTRINES have changed, but the word of God, as it is written, is sound, unchanging, and eternal. The scriptures concerning the mode of baptism were previously addressed under the heading "Does it really matter how I am baptized". Please review them if you still don't understand the importance of the mode of baptism as written in the Bible. The choice is yours. You are free to walk and believe in anything you like, but I would pray that you would read the New Testament and study the headings "Repentance, Baptism and the Holy Ghost". May the Lord open our eyes to understanding as we seek to know the truth.
What is the significance of total immersion baptism. Isn't the sprinkling of water just as good?
In the Old Testament we find that God made a covenant with Abraham. Of all the Covenants between God and men, the one most highly honored by the Jews was that made with Abraham. Why do you suppose this is true? Primarily because this Covenant required complete faith and belief in God's Word. Accompanying this Covenant was a specific ritual commanded by God unto Abraham and to all that would be saved:
The Old Covenant:
Genesis: 17:13: He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Circumcision was a necessary ceremony for all Jewish men. Without circumcision, it was impossible to become part of Abraham's blessing as decreed by God. However, on the Day of Pentecost, the sign that one had entered into Covenant was replaced with a new identification mark. This mark was called baptism. While natural Israelites were circumcised in the flesh, spiritual Israelites are now circumcised "in the heart":
The New Covenant:
Colossians: 2:11-12: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Romans: 2:28-29: For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Most of Peter's audience at Pentecost were familiar with John the Baptists' preparatory water baptism in the Jordan River. But this new baptism was to be the initiating rite of Christ's New Covenant. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find a ceremony conducted that would make God and man Blood Covenant partners except for water baptism. This stresses the importance of quickly being baptized and correlates with the command of circumcision under the Old Covenant. Abraham circumcised the men of his household the same day (Genesis: 17:23). We must not act in haste. Repentance, Baptism, and the Holy Spirit are the required commandments under the Plan of Salvation God has ordained in the New Testament. Not one of us knows the number of our days. To leave this world without fulfilling these commandments in our lives is to leave without Salvation. Our souls are eternal and, as such, have and eternal destiny. Obedience to the commandments is the only way to fall under the grace and mercy of God's Plan of Salvation. In Mark's recording of the Great Commission, Jesus commanded:
Mark: 16:16: He that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved.
The Greek word Baptismo means to dip something into a fluid and then take it out again. The specific mode of baptism was always immersion. It was described as a burial:
Colossians: 2:12: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
"Sprinkling" began in the Roman Catholic Church. It is completely a man made ritual of the Roman Church. It is validated nowhere in the written word of God. All the prerequisites for baptism exclude infants. A person must acknowledge and confess his sins and understand the message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection to be eligible for salvation. Since infants are incapable of being taught, repenting, or believing, they could not qualify for baptism. So why do we continue to use this technique today? Once again I state that it is derived from ancient Roman ritualism. This is something which was added to the original form of doctrine thereby being invalid according to the written word of God. A child is sealed unto God until the coming of age when they are able to make their own decisions. "Sprinkling" therefore is neither merited or honored anywhere in the Word of God. It is completely a man-made ritual.
I have heard many controversies concerning infant baptism. What does the bible say about this issue?
Absolutely nothing. This method was explained under the previous heading. But for the sake of reminding, let's observe it once again: "Sprinkling" began in ancient church history for the purpose of baptizing infants. However, all the prerequisites for baptism exclude infants. A person must acknowledge and confess his sins and understand the message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection to be eligible for salvation. Since infants are incapable of being taught, repenting, or believing, they could not qualify for baptism. So why do we continue to use this technique today? Once again I state that it is derived from ancient church ritualism. This is something which was added to the original form of doctrine thereby being nullified by the original written word of God. A child is sealed unto God until the coming of age when they are able to make their own decisions.
"Sprinkling" therefore is neither merited or honored anywhere in the Word of God. It is a man-made ritual.
John: 3:5-6: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
You can sprinkle all the water you want on your child's head, but until he comes of age where he is able to make his own decisions concerning his faith and his beliefs, your just wetting his little head. Once again your child is sealed unto God until he or she becomes old enough to make that decision. It is our responsibility therefore to be the teachers of God's Word to our children so that the children might understand what he is to either have faith in or turn away from when he has reached the appropriate age of decision making.
Proverbs: 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
What if I choose not to be baptized in the name of Jesus and be totally immersed into water? Can I still be saved?
Choice is a gift that God has given to every man woman and child upon the earth. We know this, we have all been sinners and have committed sin in our lives. This is something we must all admit to ourselves as a first step to understanding our inherited nature as spoken in the above paragraphs.
If you are a sinner and do not know Jesus you have a choice of what to do about it.
In our own selves, we can do nothing. If we live out our lives without the power of the Holy
Spirit of God dwelling inside of each of us, we have no power to overcome temptation that this world
and the prince of this world has to offer us. Times have changed, and the method of sins we commit
daily have changed, but the basic root of our sin nature still lies within the advanced age we now live in.
If you do not know Jesus and say you have no sin you are ignorant of your own condition and deny the
word of God. Lets examine what the word of God says to the ones who did not know Jesus.
John is telling all until they confess of their
sins they cannot be cleansed of them. Once you repent of your sins all sin is then forgiven.
1 John: 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The bible instructs us to put off the old nature of the old man and to put on the new nature of Christ Jesus. This
takes place when we are born again by the obedience of repentance and Jesus name water baptism. We then have
the promise of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by being filled with his spirit.
However, this is not to say that there will not be any stumbling along the way, but intentional sin is
forbidden. There is a difference between making a mistake, and intentionally sinning.
The Bible instructs us to be perfect even as Jesus himself was perfect. The spirit of a born again believer
struggles with the flesh daily and must walk in the spirit daily to overcome the deeds of the flesh. The
power to overcome is only found in Jesus and his Holy Spirit. It must be him living and ruling in me so that
sin can be overcome.
2 Corinthians: 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.
Ephesians: 4:22-24: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians: 3:9: Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
2 Corinthians: 13:9: For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish,
even your perfection.
Hebrews: 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Ephesians: 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Corinthians: !0:3- 6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons
of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled.
1Peter: 2:11: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which
war against the soul;
So what do we say to those individuals who are not saved by knowing Jesus Christ as their personal savior,
have not been baptized in Jesus name, and have not received the gift Holy Ghost? We ask why have you not accepted
Jesus Messiah as your Lord and God Almighty?
If what you have
just read is true, and you confirm it with the word of God, then whatever you say about the context of this
site or how it makes you feel will make no difference
if it does not make a change; starting in your heart. This change should be directed toward God and his truth.
We need to fear him, for when we face him, his Deity and Power will be revealed and feared. Why don't
we just accept him and find the true Grace and Joy that he offers when we come to him humbly?
Pride (whether that of a man or that of a woman) will dam ones soul when it causes one to reject Jesus as
their Lord. We need to put pride out of our lives, to bury it in Jesus, then never dig it up again. So hard to do, isn't it my friend?
May God guide us all through his word and his spirit. May his grace and mercy be extended upon your soul.
Remember the formula for salvation: Repentance, Baptism in Jesus name, and Receiving
the Holy Ghost, (Acts:2:38-39).