Knowledge in Baptism

Richard Hollerman

We know that people read Matthew 28:19 or Mark 16:16 or Acts 2:38 and they think that as long as they are baptized, that all will be wonderful. Is this true?

It would seem that some ridicule the idea that baptism means something. In fact, infant “baptizers” would say that it makes no difference whether the baby knows that is happening in this significant act! So the question we would ask is whether we must understand the meaning of the act for baptism to indicate anything and for baptism to be effective! We might also ask, what if a person refuses to believe what Scripture tells us regarding the meaning of baptism? Does this act somehow “magically” still qualify as New Testament baptism?

First, of course, many (perhaps 50 to 70%) of these people are not even baptized! As you know (or do you?), baptism is an immersion, a dipping, or a submersion in water. It is not a moistening, a sprinkling, or a pouring by the water. The person is applied to the water and not water to the person. There is a difference. Further, “baptism” is from the Greek baptismos and means, “the process of immersion, submersion and emergence” (W. E. Vine, Complete Expository Dictionary). Obviously, this is not something that many professing Christians do (including Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Mennonites, and others).

But let’s discuss the meaning of baptism for a few minutes. We refer to the significance or import of the act. Why are we to be baptized, according to God? Is it to fulfill a nonsensical command? Is it to simply join a church? Is it to be part of churchianity or a “ritual” that merely fulfills a duty? By no means!

Notice a few passages of the Bible that speaks of the meaning or significance of baptism:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in [into] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Probably all professing Christians recognize this as a primary text regarding baptism! But it is not merely something that we do, some nonsensical ritual, or a church tradition without meaning. This verse says that we become disciples, followers or learners for the Lord. Is this what your baptism meant to you? Or were you too young (as I was, for my “first” baptism) to really know anything about the meaning of the act?

Notice another verse. We know that there is a debate as to whether this is inspired or not, but suppose that it is, we read: “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16a). Not only is baptism meant for believers (those old enough to personally respond) but it is for salvation itself! Were you baptized (immersed) to be saved? Or were you too young to be baptized and too young to know anything about salvation?

Consider another. “Repent, and each of you be baptized [immersed] in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Were you baptized for the forgiveness of your sins? Or where you oblivious to any sins that you committed? Were you baptized for your own personal forgiveness? Notice that the verse refers to “your sins” or the sins that you, personally, have committed! Notice also that we must repent before we are qualified to be baptized! It is not something for Adam’s sin but for yours, personally. Did you really repent (have a change of heart that lead to a change of life)?

Of course, there are other Bible passages that we could examine, but notice another. Here is Paul’s question: “Do you not know that all of us [this includes all of us] who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3). We could notice verses 4-5 as well, but in this one verse, we learn that we must be baptized “into Christ Jesus” and thus are “baptized into His death.” Greek scholars tell us that we are to be baptized (or immersed) into Christ and into His death for us. Have you done this? Did you understand this?

Notice also Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21; and Colossians 2:11-13. This should help to develop our powers of discernment and understanding.

Friend, we wonder: Have you been baptized into Christ? Have you been baptized into His death? Have you been baptized to become His disciple or follower? Have you been baptized to be saved? Have you been baptized to express your repentance from sin? And have you been baptized to be forgiven of your sins? More questions could be asked but this is sufficient to convict you if you have not been Biblically immersed! This is no small matter and it is one that you need to both consider, and understand, and most of all experience!