Eastside church of Christ

Baptism is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible. Most denominations practice some form of baptism, but the manner of baptism, the reason and the time baptism is administered varies widely between religious groups. At the church of Christ we want only to practice what God has commanded and authorised, so we turn to the Bible to see what God wants regarding baptism.

Firstly, we see that baptism in the New Testament was only by immersion. Indeed, that is what the Greek word baptizo, translated as "baptise" in our Bibles, actually means. The common religious practices of sprinkling or pouring water are not found in the Bible at all, and exist without authority from God. We see this clearly in the folowing Scripture, which indicates that the one being baptised and the one baptising go down into the water, which of course would not be necessary if sprinkling or pouring were being used.

...and they went down both into the water ... and he baptised him (Acts 8: 38b)

Also, another Scripture indicates that "much water" was required in order to baptise people - we can understand clearly that while immersion requires a great deal of water, this would not be the case if God had commanded sprinkling or pouring.

And John also was baptising in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptised (John 3: 23).

Therefore, if we wish to practice baptism as it was in Bible times, the way God has commanded it, then we need to baptise by immersion.

Another important fact that we see in the Bible is that baptism is for believers. Only when a person has believed the Gospel and repented of their sins are they a Scriptural candidate for baptism. This is seen in several Scriptures throughout the New Testament, some of which are quoted below:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2: 38).

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women (Acts 8: 12).

...and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptised (Acts 18: 8b).

Clearly then the common religious practice of baptising babies, who can neither believe nor repent, is not found in the Bible. Biblical baptism is for penitent believers, and so this is the manner of baptism practiced by the church of Christ.

In the New Testament, baptism is also for the remission of sins. The teaching of Scripture is clearly that when a penitent believer is baptised in the way described in the Bible, his or her sins are washed away in the blood of Christ. This does not happen previously when we believe, or when we utter a "sinner's prayer" (which is not even found in the Bible at all), or at any other time. We see this in the following Scriptures (emphasis added):

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2: 38).

And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22: 16).

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us... (I Peter 3: 21a).

When we are baptised in this way, the Bible teaches that we are added by the Lord to His church, which is the body of all who have been saved by the blood of Christ (Acts 2: 41, 47; 20: 28; Galatians 3: 27). We then begin to walk in a new life that is dedicated to Jesus Christ, as a child of God - a Christian (Romans 6: 3-4; II Corinthians 5: 17). We at the Eastside church of Christ want to help you become a New Testament Christian in the way that God has commanded. If you want to ask a question about this article, or sign up for a Bible study or correspondence course, please contact us!