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7 Key Questions about WATER BAPTISM by Dennis Rokser To order hard copies of this booklet, simply call
or write: One of the most controversial and confusing subjects in Christendom today is the issue of “water baptism”. Ironically, there is not a book available in my large library that I could give to someone who would inquire on this particular subject. It is my observation that there seems to be a lot of ignorance and wrong doctrine today regarding the Bible generally, but this is particularly true when it comes to water baptism. By God's grace, I pray that this booklet might be used by the Holy Spirit to help clear up this confusion. Is Water Baptism Scriptural? After Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death and bodily resurrection, He met with his eleven disciples (Judas – an unbeliever – had already hung himself in remorse over his betrayal of Jesus). In what is commonly referred to as “The Great Commission,” the Lord Jesus Christ declared,
Verse 19 makes it clear that water baptism is biblical. Christ’s disciples were commanded to “teach all nations” (literally – disciple all people). This would involve baptizing those who had heard the Gospel of Christ and believed in Him. Discipleship would also include teaching these potential followers of Christ the life-transforming truths of God’s Word for spiritual growth into Christ-likeness (I Peter 2:2, II Peter 3:18). But while even the casual reader of the Bible acknowledges that water baptism is scriptural, this is often where the agreement ends and the discord begins. The confusion, controversy, and dissension regarding water baptism seems to center in three primary areas. Controversy #1: The NECESSITY of Water Baptism What does water baptism do? Is it necessary for salvation? Is it a crucial part of spirituality for the believer? Is it a means to sanctification? Is water baptism a biblical requirement for church membership? Is it a public proclamation? Is it even for the church age? Controversy #2: The MEANING of Water Baptism What does water baptism mean? Does it wash away your sins? Is it a channel for God’s grace? Does water baptism enter you into God’s covenant of grace? Does it make you spiritual? Or is it symbolic in meaning? If so, what does it proclaim? Controversy #3: The MODE of Water Baptism How is water baptism to be done? Are you to pour, sprinkle or immerse? Are you to baptize babies, children, or adults? Is it to be done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Or are you to baptize in the name of Jesus Christ? Must it be done in a lake or river or fountain or baptistry? Can any person baptize someone or must it be done by a pastor or priest? The Final Authority Of Truth By now it should be obvious that there are many questions that need to be answered concerning the subject of water baptism. In this booklet, I have selected seven key questions which are designed to answer the most significant issues regarding this controversial yet biblical subject. But how does one determine what is right?
As you read, please note that the sole and singular appeal for God’s final truth on these issues is the written Word of God – the Bible. It is not a person's opinion, a church's tradition, or an individual's experience. Read carefully what the Bible declares without apology regarding its origin, authority, and sufficiency.
Since the Bible is nothing less than the inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God, you would do well to heed the example of the Bereans upon hearing the apostle Paul.
Even though these Bereans were hearing an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul nor the church were the final authority of truth. So what was the standard?
The first question we want to address is perhaps the most basic and certainly the most important issue: Is water baptism necessary for eternal salvation? There is no greater issue than your salvation and eternal destiny – as it will be either eternal heaven or hell (Matthew 7:13-14; 25:46).
Whether you realize it or not, many churches and religious organizations believe water baptism is a necessary requirement for salvation and serves as a means to regeneration.1
While they believe that water baptism may not fully guarantee salvation, it is believed to be a necessary part of salvation. But is it? What does the Bible teach?
What Is Necessary For Salvation?
Notice, Christ did not send Paul to baptize. Now this does not mean that he never baptized any believers; for he did. Nor does this imply that the apostle Paul was against water baptism in its proper place. For he wrote just prior to this,
However, baptizing believers was not the emphasis of Paul's ministry. And due to divisiveness within the Corinthian Church (1:10-13), he was thankful for his limited participation in their baptisms "lest any should say I have baptized in my own name."2 Verse 17 literally translates, “for Christ sent me not to baptize but to evangelize by preaching the Gospel.” The word “euangelizo” is translated “preach the Gospel” and literally means “to evangelize.” In other words, when someone is evangelized this does not include baptism. Why? Because receiving salvation by God’s grace is not equivalent with being baptized. Water baptism is not part of God’s plan of salvation. It is not what the Gospel is all about. No wonder verses 17 & 18 go on to emphasize.
What Is The Gospel Of Jesus Christ? The Gospel centers in the message of the cross of Christ, for it was there that Jesus died for our sins and rose again. The Gospel clearly is not a rite that is administered. It is a message of good news from God about salvation that is to be proclaimed. In fact, the most definitive passage in the New Testament explaining to us the very content of the Gospel is found in this same book, 1 Corinthians chapter 15.
First of all, the Gospel of salvation centers in a Specific Person: JESUS CHRIST... "how that CHRIST..." This is significant because of who Jesus Christ is.
Being the unique God-man, Jesus Christ alone qualified to be our Redeemer as He was born and lived outside the slavemarket of sin. Furthermore, being deity assures us that His work is perfect. On the other hand, being born as a man, Jesus Christ then could not only reveal God to man (John 1:18), but He could "die" in full payment for the sins of the entire world.
Secondly, the Gospel of salvation centers in a Specific Work: "how that Christ DIED...and that He ROSE AGAIN...".
The verb "died" underscores that Christ's death is a completed past event (aorist tense) that He voluntarily chose (active voice). It is a fact of history, not some religious myth (indicative mood).
Jesus had to die to provide salvation for mankind, as the penalty for sin is "death" (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12; 6:23).
Thus, Christ's sinless life, amazing miracles, flawless example, deep compassion, divine teaching, and royal birthline clearly indicated that He was nothing less than God manifested in the flesh and the rightful heir to the throne of David. Yet, it was only His death that could pay for our sins. And what is the proof of His death? "...and that he was buried." The second aspect of Christ's work is that He "rose again". The phrase "He rose again" (egegertai) is a perfect tense verb indicating past completed action with abiding present results. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead on the third day and He remains alive to this very day. He is a living Savior who got out of death, hell and the grave alive! The passive voice here indicates that God the Father raised Jesus Christ from the dead. This is the canceled check that Christ's death satisfied every holy demand of God relative to our sins so that He raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Rom. 4:25; 1 John 2:2, 4:10). The indicative mood again portrays Christ's resurrection as a historical fact, not a religious fable. And what is the proof that Christ was raised from the dead? "...and He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve..." (1 Cor. 15:5)
Thirdly, the Gospel of salvation centers in a Specific Accomplishment:... "Christ died FOR OUR SINS...." Why is this significant? First of all because it indicates a substitutionary sacrifice. The Greek word "for" (huper) is one of three Greek prepositions that underscore the concept of substitution (huper, anti, peri). "Huper" communicates how Christ died on behalf of our sins.
The second reason the phrase "for our sins" is significant is because it reveals Christ's death as a completed sacrifice. Note how "for our sins" is only attached to Christ's death. Why? Because when He cried, "IT IS FINISHED," (John 19:30) the sins of all mankind for all time were PAID IN FULL on the cross.
What does all of this mean? It means that no mass, no fires of purgatory, no sacraments, no amount of good works, no personal suffering, no indulgences, no rituals including baptism etc. can atone for our sins. "IT IS FINISHED!"
This also indicates that our sins, though making us worthy of God's judgment, will never actually condemn us to eternal hell. Why? Because Jesus Christ fully paid for our sins past, present, and future. In fact, all of our sins were future when Christ died for us. What ultimately condemns a sinner to hell is not their sins, but their rejection of Christ through their unbelief.
This then means that regardless of the nature or number of sins that we have committed, God, by His grace, is willing and wanting to save us. And without compromising his holy character, God will save every sinner who places their faith in Jesus Christ alone, since Christ died for all of their sins and rose again.
No wonder the Gospel is called GOOD NEWS!
Dear Friend, do you understand what this means to you? It means that Jesus Christ died as your substitute. He died as your sacrifice. He died taking your punishment. He died on your behalf, paying for your sins. And then He rose again as death, hell and the grave could not hold Him captive. He is no longer on a cross. He has been raised from the grave, and as a living Savior He offers to you the gift (not reward) of salvation.
A Doctrinal Dilemma The Apostle Paul was sent by Jesus Christ primarily not to baptize but to evangelize. As we have observed, this involved preaching the message of the Gospel, which has nothing to do with water baptism. For how could physical water resolve a spiritual problem? And how would the act of water baptism do something supernatural for you while taking a shower or a bath will not? Is there something special about the water? Is there something special about the person who administered it to you? No, not at all.
But some churches will say, “Yes, it is true that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose again. But the benefits of Christ’s work are channeled to you through the sacraments. And yes, He died for your sins so that baptism now acts as the funnel, the instrument, the channel, the means by which the benefits of Christ are conferred on you when you participate in this ritual.” But what saith the Scriptures?
A Needed Clarification But sometimes people retort, “Though baptism is necessary for salvation, baptism is not a work.” Dear Reader, if water baptism is not a work, what is it? And if baptism is not a work, what is a work? If you notice closely what Romans 4:5 states, you will observe that the only thing excluded from being a work is faith. “But to him that worketh not, but believes…" (faith in Christ means you actually trust the finished work of Another!). Since there is only one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:5) the only means of receiving the gift of salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The only basis for your salvation is the finished work of Christ on the cross. And when any sinner has placed his/her faith in Jesus Christ alone, at that moment there is an invisible transaction that occurs between the sinner and God in which the gift of salvation becomes theirs. Thus, a person can know he has eternal life based on what Christ has done. This is absolutely guaranteed by the promises of God, which he/she in simple childlike faith have accepted.
But some argue, "Baptism isn’t a work because God commands it in the Bible." Ironically, Romans chapter 4 discusses the place of an Old Testament commanded ritual and its relationship to salvation – the act of circumcision. And what does the apostle Paul, as directed by the Holy Spirit, write?
Circumcision in the Old Testament, like water baptism in the New Testament, was a Biblical command. Yet it was still classified by God as a “work” which could not save. Paul’s point is that to be declared righteous or justified before a Holy God is through faith alone in Christ alone plus nothing! Only then can the believing sinner be assured of salvation as it depends on the work of Christ for them, not a work of man for God.
This is why Ephesians 2:8-9 emphatically declares,
Does Water Baptism Give A Person The Holy Spirit? How does a person receive the Holy Spirit?
How do you receive, the Holy Spirit? Through water baptism? No. But through believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Does Water Baptism Make A Sinner A Child Of
God? How does one become a child of God? Through baptism? No! For John 1:12 instructs us,
Is Water Baptism Necessary To Have Your Sins
Forgiven? The apostle Peter declares in Acts 10:43,
Notice again how water baptism is conspicuously absent.
Is This A Serious Matter? Dear Reader, do you realize that eternal hell will be filled with baptized people who never trusted the Savior alone to redeem them? In fact, when one believes that water baptism is necessary for salvation, three fatal errors result.
1. First, it violates and nullifies God’s grace. If you add even one work to Christ’s finished work on the cross, you say in effect, “Christ has not done it all”. Dear Reader, was Christ lying when He triumphantly declared "it is finished" (John 19:30) or not?
2. Secondly, people who believe water baptism is necessary for salvation require two ways of salvation. They say in effect that there is one way in the Old Testament which was by faith alone (Romans 4:1-5), and another means in the New Testament which involves faith plus baptism. This would imply that under the dispensation of grace (Ephesians 3:2) a person has to do more to be saved now than one did under the law. Does that sound like grace?
3. Thirdly, when one assigns baptism as a necessary part of salvation you then have to view numerous salvation verses as incomplete. You are forced now to read water baptism into many clear, uncomplicated salvation verses. For example, Romans 5:1 states,
At this point you are then required to put your wet eyeglasses on and say in effect, “Yes, that is true. But you have to remember water baptism is needed as well.” So Romans 5:1 is not telling you the complete requirement for salvation. It is just telling you half the story.
Consider the following verses from the book of John.
With each verse you will need to say, “Ya, but…” You will have to put on a pair of water baptism glasses and every time you read one of those verses you have to mentally insert “plus baptism”. Otherwise, you will be misled. I appeal to you today, that when the Bible says it’s “through faith,” it means “through faith alone”. When it only says “believe,” it means “believe in Christ alone". A Personal Appeal In answer to our first question, "Is water baptism necessary for salvation?," the biblical answer is very clear. Absolutely not! In fact, the Bible teaches that water baptism has NO PART in eternal salvation. This means tragically that hell will be filled with people who were baptized in water but who never put their trust in Christ alone. And while they may have attended a church regularly and every Sunday recited the Apostles Creed, at their funeral you will hear the minister say, “when so and so was baptized, they became a child of God”. But did they?
Dear Reader, you may be baptized by every church in your town so that you are water-logged from head to foot and yet still be destined for a Christ-less eternity in the Lake of Fire. Do you know for sure that you have eternal life? If you do not know for sure that you are going to heaven if you were to die today, why not settle it now? Transfer your faith from whatever you were trusting to save you (including your baptism), and put your trust in Jesus Christ alone who died for your sins and rose again!
Our English word “baptize” is a transliteration of the Greek word “baptizo”. A transliteration differs from a translation, for instead of giving a word an English equivalent, the translaters merely carry over each of the Greek letters: baptizw/baptizo.
"Baptizo" In Extra-Biblical Writings The Greek word, “baptizo,” was used in various contexts by various extra-biblical writers. For example, Xenophon in the 4th century B.C. tells of the Spartan soldiers dipping their spears into pigs’ blood before going to battle. By identifying their spears with blood the nature of the spear was changed from a hunting to a warrior spear. This dipping into blood was referred to as “baptizo”, meaning "to put into, to identify with, to immerse."
Euripides in the 5th century B.C. used “baptizo” to describe a sinking ship. As it sinks, the ship is so "identified" or "baptized" or "immersed" with the water that it no longer floats.
“Baptizo” was also found in ancient Greek literature connected with the phrase "over head and ears in debt." This phrase also gives the idea of being completely identified, placed in union with, or submerged in debt.
Its Basic And Biblical Meaning As the chart on the next page will indicate, the word “baptize” has as its basic meaning, “to put or place into, to identify with, or to immerse”. In itself, "baptism" is a dry word. When you read the word “baptize” or “baptism,” wring it out in your mind. Though sometimes the context in which "baptism" is used relates to water, at other times it has nothing to do with H20. The word itself requires no water. Thus every time you run across it in the Bible, remember that it means “to put into, to identify with, or to immerse”.
Perhaps to your surprise, the Bible speaks of seven different baptisms; four real, actual, dry baptisms; and three wet, symbolic, ritualistic baptisms. The following diagram is designed to identify each of these seven baptisms.
Please note that the word "baptism" in each case carries the idea of "identification with or place into". The context determines the object identified with, while each specific baptism is unique from each the other.
The answer to that question is yes! I believe the Scriptures afford us at least three reasons why.
1. Water baptism was commanded to Church-age believers.
In Acts 10:42-43 we have a case where a God-fearing Gentile (Cornelius) heard the Gospel via the apostle Peter. Cornelius had been responding to the truth that he knew and God then gave him the Gospel.
Notice for a moment what is clearly missing as a condition for the forgiveness of sins. There is no mention of water baptism whatsoever. The sole and singular condition to receive the forgiveness of sin is to believe in Jesus Christ, period.
While they were hearing the Gospel, the Holy Spirit was given to them. Why? Because they believed the truth about Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit is not given to unbelievers. But where does water baptism fit in?
Notice carefully the order. (1) They heard the Gospel; (2) they believed in Jesus Christ alone; (3) they received the Holy Spirit; and then (4) they were baptized into water. You must keep clear that order. This is extremely significant. Thus, historically, water baptism was commanded in Scripture to Church-age believers.3
2. Water baptism was practiced and perpetuated by the early church.
There are those ultra or hyper-dispensationalists who would say that water baptism is not for us today. But as one observes the development of the church, water baptism was practiced by Jewish believers (Acts 2:41), by Samaritan believers (Acts 8:12), by Gentile believers (Acts 10:48) and by the disciples of John (Acts 19:1-5) in the ministries of Peter, Philip, and Paul many years into the church-age. Though initially instituted in the church-age because of the "Great Commission" given by our Lord (Matthew 28:19-20)4, water baptism then became the normal practice for believers in Christ. This is further supported by such passages as 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 and 1 Peter 3:18-22. Nowhere do we see any verses that predict the cessation of water baptism (unlike 1 Cor. 13:8-10 and Hebrews 2:3-4 regarding the sign-gifts); nor a passage that rescinds its practice. And though the significance of water baptism has been lessened or lost in many places in the West due to familiarity and misuse, there is no biblical reason to downplay it as not being God's will or to discontinue its practice.5
3. Water baptism has a tremendous truth to proclaim.
Water baptism beautifully pictures one of the most significant truths for the church-age believer. This is why I believe the mode of water baptism as taught in Scripture is that of immersion. Every passage where a believer’s baptism occurs either requires or allows for immersion. Why? Because it is necessary to proclaim "identification" truth via its means.
Furthermore, there is the Greek word "rhantizo," translated in the Bible "sprinkling," which could have been employed had the Holy Spirit wanted to have us understand baptism as sprinkling. But "rhantizo" is not utilized because immersion fulfills the identification truth symbol best. By identification or position truth, I am referring to the biblical concept of the believer's spiritual union with Christ which occurs when he/she trusts in Christ. Consider the following verses that state this spiritual reality.
First of all, let me explain what water baptism does not do. Water baptism does not save, regenerate, give forgiveness of sins, or grant the Holy Spirit to the lost. Nor does it sanctify, make spiritual, or qualify the saved to serve the Lord, as no work or ritual can do this (Gal. 3:2-3). A godly walk and spiritual growth is all by God's grace appropriated through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit (Col. 2:6-7; Gal. 2:20; 3:3). Furthermore, water baptism is not necessary for church membership (for one cannot find official church membership in the Bible). Frankly, it is harder to become a member of some churches than it is to go to heaven!
So what does baptism in water proclaim? Water baptism pictures one's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. When believers go down into the water, they are symbolically picturing the fact that they have died with Christ; they have been buried with Christ; they have been risen with Christ; they are now a new creation in Christ; and they have believed that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and arose again.
Romans 6:3-5 sets forth the reality of every believer's union with Christ which is pictured through water baptism. Romans 6 is not dealing with water, but with the baptizing by means of the Holy Spirit. Notice, these Roman believers were said to have been "baptized into Christ" not into water!
This spiritual baptism into union with Christ was also true of the Galatian believers.
1 Corinthians 12:13 teaches us that the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit into union with Christ is true of all believers.
Spirit baptism is one of the seven unities that all believers have in common.
At water baptism, a believer in Christ publicly proclaims their faith and identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Furthermore, 1 Peter 3:18-21 indicates that the "like figure" of water baptism gives a believer the opportunity to publicly proclaim that she/he has a "good conscience" towards God. This is because they have been forgiven due to Christ's death for their sins.
These tremendous "identification" truths are what water baptism pictures and proclaims. This biblical ritual does not do something for you. In fact, it is a visible symbol of the believer’s invisible union with Christ and what He has done for you. This is why when we have been involved in baptizing believers, we put them down into the water and then we pick them out of the water. Who does all the work? We do; those getting baptized simply trust us to do it. Is not this just like what God does for us at salvation? What a wonderful picture.
Thus, water baptism in the Bible is only done once to genuine believers. Why? Because each believer is placed into Christ and identified in union with Him how many times? Once!
Water baptism then pictures the believer's identification with Christ. It is a means to proclaim that one has already been saved by God's grace and has a guilt free conscience before God as his/her sins have been forgiven through faith in Christ alone.
Condition #1: You must be a genuine believer in Jesus Christ who has been saved by God's grace.
Consider again Acts 18:8,
Is this not the same order as we observed in Acts 10? They (1) heard the Gospel, (2) they believed in Christ alone; (3) they were forgiven by God; (4) they received the Holy Spirit; then they were baptized into water.
Condition number one is this – you must be a believer in Jesus Christ. You must be genuinely saved. Ritual without reality means nothing.
Since this is true, it should not surprise us to find no mention or examples of infant baptism anywhere in Scripture. Why? Because babies can not believe in Jesus Christ. I have whispered John 3:16 into the ears of my three children as babies, yet not one of them responded "AMEN".
Condition #2: You must understand what you are doing.
A second implied condition to water baptism is you must understand what you are doing. Otherwise, it is an empty ritual, meaning nothing to you or anyone else. And until a believer desires to participate in this divinely designed privilege to publicly identify with Jesus Christ and understands the purpose and picture of water baptism, it would be foolish and unwise to participate in it. Thus, in the local church I am privileged to pastor, I seek to pressure no one to be baptized by water. Instead, my encouragement to every new and old believer alike is to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their thinking via learning the Word of God (2 Cor. 3:17-18). Nor do I teach that a believer is carnal if he/she has not yet been baptized. I have even encouraged a believer or two to wait on being baptized when they were yet unsettled in their hearts regarding this. But as each believer at whatever stage of spiritual growth comes to understand any issue of Scripture, he/she is encouraged to respond by faith (in light of God's grace) as unto the Lord (Romans 12:1-2; Col. 3:23). Otherwise, ignorant compliance or legalistic thinking results in ritualistic performance; instead of Spirit-directed and joyful obedience to Jesus Christ by faith.
The Ethiopian eunuch probably asked this question because he had been at Jerusalem and had seen Christians getting baptized into water. Since Philip had explained that Isaiah 53 (the passage the enuch was reading) was fulfilled in the substitutionary death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, the eunuch asks,
What was the evangelist's reply?
In other words, there is nothing hindering you if you believe. So how did the eunuch respond?
Having met the sole biblical condition for salvation (as the eunuch placed his faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour), the passage then reads,
So dear Believer, what now hinders you from getting water baptized
as a public proclamation of your faith and identification with Jesus
Christ? What a great privilege it is to give a public testimony
to others of your great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
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