New Testament Baptism
By: Ivie Powell
The subject of baptism has always been controversial. Such controversy is not due to a lack of information in God’s word. For God has ". . .given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. . ." (2 Pet. 1:3). Nor is it because men cannot understand the truth, for Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
People do not arrive at truth for a variety of reasons:
1) Some don’t believe the Bible is inspired and without error.
2) Some don’t believe one can understand God’s word.
3) Others believe that they are too sinful to even study the Bible.
4) Many love the world more than God and His word and so they aren’t interested in studying the Bible.
5) Some think they have already arrived at truth and will not even begin to study anything that interferes with their religious beliefs.
6) Some are too lazy to put forth the effort necessary to diligently study God’s word.
If one wishes to arrive at truth, they must have a greater love for God and His word than any person including relatives and friends (Matthew 10:37-39; 22:37). Paul makes it clear if one will not receive the truth, he will perish: "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
As with all Biblical subjects, the truth is set forth in God’s word and not in the councils of men! An often asked question (even among many brethren) is, "What does the church of Christ teach about. . .?" The truth of the matter is the church doesn’t legislate anything of itself, but only teaches that which is revealed in God’s word. There is no such thing as the "Church of Christ position!" Rather, the position on any given subject is set forth by Christ and His inspired writers as recorded in holy Scripture. So the question regarding baptism (or any other religious subject) is, "What does the Bible teach about baptism?"
While denominationalism and Catholicism often change on a variety of subjects, God’s word remains un-moveable and is not to be tampered with: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Gal.1:6-9). John informs us: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Rev. 22:18-19).
The Bible makes it clear that baptism is a command: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). Many have argued since Jesus did not say, "He that is not baptized shall be damned," that baptism is not essential for one’s salvation. Friends, it wasn’t necessary for Jesus to have made such a statement. If one does not believe, baptism would be of no benefit at all! However, Jesus stated that the believer had to be baptized or else he would lose his soul. The following illustration completely puts to flight this ridiculous argument. He that eateth his food and digesteth it shall life; but he that eateth not shall die. One must eat and digest his food to live. But he that does not eat will surely die. In commenting on Mark 16:16, Thomas B. Warren said:
"In the Greek . . .it is conclusively significant that both ‘believeth’ and ‘is baptized’ are aorist participles. And, as Professor A. T. Robertson (outstanding Baptist Greek grammarian) has ell said, "The Greek never uses the aorist participle for subsequent action." (Robertson and Davis, A New Short Grammar of the Greek Testament, p. 297). Dr. Ray Summers, outstanding Baptist educator and Greek Grammarian, in his book, The Essentials of the Greek New Testament, agreed with Robertson and Davis that the aorist participle never indicates action subsequent to the action of the main verb in the sentence. The above statements in regard to the aorist participle mean simply this: Whatever action is indicated by an aorist participle cannot follow, i.e. occur subsequent to the action of the main verb in the sentence (Mark 16:16) and since both "believeth" and "is baptized" are aorist participles in the original Greek, this passage constitutes proof that baptism comes before-not after-salvation. This means simply that the believer in Christ is not saved until he is baptized by the authority of Jesus Christ. We plead with all to recognize this all important truth." Mark 16:16-Baptism comes Before-Not After-Salvation, The Spiritual Sword, Vol.10, January 1979, No.2, p.1).
Regarding Cornelius and his household, Peter said: "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. . ." (Acts 10:48). Note also verse 33 where Cornelius said they were present "to hear all things that we have been commanded thee of the Lord." Thus, in order for them to be saved they had to obey the command to be baptized! Hence, if Cornelius had neglected this command, he would have lost his soul! Of His commandments Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Further evidence is given as to the importance of keeping God’s commandments in I John 3:5, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." And in Revelation 22:14, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
My friend, have you obeyed the command to be baptized? If not, why not? Why not do as Christ commanded in order for your sins to be washed away in His blood (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4)?