THERE IS ONE BAPTISM

Robin W. Haley

   Typical of the present day call for ecumenism among the people of God is the cry that one does not need to know the ONE AND ONLY purpose for baptism in order to be baptized acceptably in the sight of God.  This is course is as false as it can be and this article will look briefly at denominational baptism.

   Without question, we readily agree that baptism accomplishes a number of things when one submits to it in faithful, penitent obedience.  However, the Scriptures are quite clear that there is but ONE purpose or reason for one to be baptized.  That reason is UNTO, or IN ORDER TO OBTAIN the remission (release or forgiveness) of past sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

   What then are some of the things that baptism also accomplishes?  Well, let us begin with what Jesus said about it and the Kingdom of God or Heaven: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 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.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again" (John 3:3‑7).  Thus, we learn that baptism causes one to be BORN AGAIN.  Lest any who read this may conclude that being "born again" is different from becoming a Christian, please note that one who is born again is part of the kingdom of God, and vice versa.  Paul wrote to "the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colosse" (Colossians 1:2) who had been "translated into the kingdom of the Son of his love" (v.13), and that by "having been 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" (Colossians 2:12). 

   What is another accomplishment of baptism?  Hear what Luke wrote regarding baptism: "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:30).  Although the baptism in view here is that baptism of John before the Great Commission was given, the baptism with which we today must be baptized is no less the COUNSEL OR PURPOSE OF GOD (see also Acts 19:1‑5).

   There are at least two other actions accomplished in baptism.  One of which is illustrated in Romans chapter six.  Paul reminded these brethren in Rome as to what happened when they were baptized unto remission of sins.  He says, "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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Romans 6:3‑5).  Thus, we see that one cannot become a part of what Christ did on the cross, nor can we obey what He did as per 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ("obey the gospel") without being baptized.  Here then, baptism puts us INTO THE DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION of Christ.

   Finally, we dare not overlook the connection between baptism and becoming a part of the church, the body of Christ and His kingdom here on this earth.  Let us never forget what the Spirit does when we are "obedient to that form of doctrine whereunto we were delivered" (Romans 6:17).  Hear Paul as he reminds the Corinthians of their baptism: "For by one Spirit are we ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit", 1 Corinthians 12:13.

   Here is the conclusion of this matter: baptism "does" a number of things with regard to our relationship to sin, one another, God, Christ and the world (Galatians 2:20).  Baptism puts us into Christ, His death and resurrection, into His church and into a position of being dead to the world and sin (Romans 6:11).  When one is baptized by faithful and penitent obedience, that one is born again and added by the Lord to the church (Acts 2:47).  But there is only one reason or purpose for which one ought to be baptized: to have sin washed away in the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16). 

   With all this before us, how can any believe that denominational "baptism" can be anything remotely associated with Bible baptism, seeing that the denominations do not teach nor believe any of what we have offered from the Word herein?  Brethren and friends, let us look unto the Scripture for the answers to such questions as "Why should I be baptized and what must I know in order to be baptized acceptably before God?"