Baptist Baptism: A Form of Godliness

In a previous article, we discussed the action of baptism and acknowledged that the Bible declares it to be a burial–submersion or immersion (Rom. 6:3-4). We are happy that some of our religious neighbors accept this Bible truth, namely the Baptists, but are sad that they deny its purpose as revealed in the scriptures — salvation. Notice the following passages.

  • “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
  • “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'” (Acts 2:38).
  • “There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21).
  • “In Him, you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism…” (Col. 2:11-12).
  • “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Our Baptist friends rightly proclaim baptism is immersion, but wrongly declare that it is an outward sign of an inward grace. They say it is BECAUSE one’s sins are remitted, not UNTO the remission of sins. Again, this contradicts the inspired word of God. It reminds us of the Spirit’s words in 2 Timothy 3:5, “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

No, the power of salvation is not in the water itself, but it is in Christ, and the only way the Bible teaches that one may get into Christ is through baptism. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). Will you accept the Bible’s teaching on baptism?

Steven F. Deaton

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