Sprinkling or pouring. False. Baptism in the New Testament was immersion in water. Both Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water (Acts 8:36-38). Colossians 2:12 says men are “buried with Him [Christ] in baptism.” “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism…” (Rom. 6:4).
An outward sign of an inward grace. False. Nowhere in the Bible is it described as such. Rather, it is in order to have sins washed away. Ananias said to Saul, “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).
A work. False. Baptism is never described as work; it is not something which is done in order to earn salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). Baptism is an act of obedience to the command of God (1 Jn. 5:1-3). Jesus said to do it (Mk. 16:16). Peter said to do it (Acts 2:38). Why not do it?
That which adds you to a denomination. False. Baptists preachers teach that baptism adds you to the Baptist church. There is no verse in the Bible that teaches this. If it is not from the Bible (heaven), then it is from men (cf. Matt. 22:25; 15:7-9).
For the remission of sins. True. “Then Peter said, ‘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… (1 Pet. 3:21).
To enter Christ. True. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:3).
That which adds you to Christ’s body, the church. True. “For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body…” (1 Cor. 12:13).
Steven F. Deaton
