The Purpose of Baptism

The doctrine of water baptism is one of the most hotly debated topics in Christendom. This is intriguing because it is relatively easy to understand what the Bible has to say about this doctrine, that is, if we take the Bible for what it says instead of attempting to force our own doctrines and biases upon the Bible.

Consider the following clear statements of Scripture:

…he [Yeshua¹] said unto them [His apostles], Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)²

…when they [3,000 Judahites] heard this [the gospel and the fact that they were responsible for the death of Yeshua], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua [the] Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.… Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them [the early church comprised of the apostles] about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37-41)

…now [Saul of Tarsus] why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)

Know ye not [Christians of Rome], that so many of us as were baptized into Yeshua [the] Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

…by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body … and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

…ye [Christians of Galatia] are all the children of God by faith in [the] Christ Yeshua. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)

…God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein … eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (… the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Yeshua [the] Christ. (1 Peter 3:20-21)

Whether these statements are ignored, explained away or pitted against other passages, the Bible clearly and unequivocally asserts the following about baptism:

• Baptism is a part of our salvation in Yeshua the Christ.
• Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.
• Baptism is when the Holy Spirit indwells us.
• Baptism is when we are born again to walk a new life.
• Baptism is when we put on Yeshua the Christ.
• Baptism is when we are added to the church of Yeshua the Christ.

Those who reject the previous biblical statements about baptism usually teach one or a combination of the following doctrines about baptism, none of which can be found in the Scriptures:

• Baptism has nothing to do with salvation.
• Baptism is an outward sign of inward grace.
• Baptism is a witness to others.
• Baptism is just an act of obedience.
• Baptism is a work of man.

Furthermore, these doctrines about baptism often include the teaching that a person can be saved by "accepting" or "asking Jesus into your heart" or by "praying the sinner’s prayer." Yet these statements cannot be found in the Bible, nor does the Bible record anyone doing any of these things. In other words, what the Bible clearly declares about baptism and its relationship to salvation is substituted with man-made traditions much the same as the Pharisees and Sadducees did during the life of Yeshua:

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)

The Mode of Baptism

In many instances the biblical mode of baptism has been likewise abandoned. The English translators created the word "baptism" through transliteration³ instead of translating⁴ the Greek word "baptisma, which means to immerse. As a consequence certain denominations have taken the liberty to interpret the English word "baptism" to mean sprinkling or pouring. However, Yeshua and the inspired authors of the New Testament never commanded anyone to have water sprinkled on or poured over them. If they had, they would have used either the Greek word "cheo," which means to pour, or the Greek word "rhantizo," which means to sprinkle. Instead Yeshua and the New Testament authors chose the word "baptisma" or some form thereof, which means to immerse:

baptisma (bap'-tis-mah); from ... [baptizo]; immersion … (technically or figuratively). (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)⁵

baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); ... to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)⁶

baptisma … consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence (from bapto, to dip)…. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)⁷

Baptizo … primarily a frequentative form of bapto, to dip, was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another, etc. Plutarchus uses it of the drawing of wine by dipping the cup into the bowl (Alexis, 67) and Plato, metaphorically, of being overwhelmed with questions (Euthydemus, 277 D). (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)⁸

These definitions verify that immersion is the only scriptural mode of baptism. Furthermore, the Bible identifies "baptisma" as a burial:

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yeshua [the] Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism…. (Romans 6:3-4)

In whom [Yeshua] also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him…. (Colossians 2:11-12)

The Arguments Against Baptism

Many arguments are employed to justify the aforementioned man-made doctrines about baptism. However, no matter how good an argument may sound it can never negate the foregoing passages of Scripture.

Argument #1: "The thief on the cross wasn’t baptized!"

Answer: This is true. However, the thief on the cross was still under the Old Covenant because Yeshua had not died as required for His new covenant to take effect:

…where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: Otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:15-16)

A testament or covenant is essentially the same as a will. Because Yeshua had not yet died when He granted salvation to the thief on the cross, He could do so under whatever conditions He chose. However, since Yeshua’s death there is only one way by which a person can obtain salvation, and that is by the conditions of Yeshua’s last will and testament – faith, repentance, confession of Yeshua and immersion – as provided in the Great Commission as found in Mark 16:15-16 and other New Covenant passages.

Argument #2: "There are many scriptures such as John 3:16 and Acts 16:31 that only require faith in Yeshua in order for a person to obtain salvation. They do not mention baptism!"

Answer: This is also true. However, scripture must never be pitted against scripture. Instead, scriptures must be harmonized:

The sum of Thy [YHWH’s⁹] word is truth…. (Psalm 119:160 NASV)

If we want to know Yahweh’s will on anything found in His Word, we must do an exhaustive study of the Bible pertaining to the subject in question. Yahweh denounces "smorgasbord style" Bible study:

…the word of YHWH¹⁰ was unto them … here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isaiah 28:13)

In other words, we are not to go through the Bible randomly collecting scriptures that, by themselves, appear to authenticate a particular doctrine or belief. Instead, everything that the Bible states on any subject must be considered and harmonized in order to determine the truth concerning that doctrine. Furthermore, one scripture never trumps or negates another scripture.

The people who argue against immersion as a part of salvation for the reason stated in argument #2 seldom apply the same standard to other doctrines in the Bible. For example, it is generally understood and accepted that in order to have our prayers answered we must ask (James 4:2), in the name of the Savior (John 14:13-14), believing (Matthew 21:22), without doubting (James 1:6), according to God’s will (1 John 5:14), with pure motives (James 4:3) and not for our own pleasures (James 4:3). There is not one verse or passage of Scripture that contains all that is required of us to have our prayers answered. A person must, instead, search for the sum of Yahweh’s will in many passages in order to correctly ascertain the truth regarding prayer.

The same is true concerning salvation. John 3:16 does not say anything about repentance. However, from such scriptures as Luke 13:3, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 and 2 Peter 3:9-10 we understand that a person must also repent of his sins. John 3:16 does not say anything about confession. However, from such scriptures as Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 10:9-10 and 1 John 4:15 we understand that a person must also confess Yeshua as the Son of God and as Lord. And John 3:16 does not say anything about immersion. However, from such scriptures as Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38 and 1 Peter 3:21 we understand that a person must also be immersed for the forgiveness of his sins.

Argument #3: "Baptism is a work of man, and the Apostle Paul informed us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved by the grace of God through faith, not by works!"

Answer: The works addressed by Paul in Ephesians 2 are works of the law:

…now in [the] Christ Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ…. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments [that is, the Mosaic Covenant that required perfect obedience in order to be righteous with Yahweh]…. (Ephesians 2:13-15)

Furthermore, the Bible never identifies immersion as a work of man. On the other hand, the Bible does associate immersion with salvation, the forgiveness of sins, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, being born again and being added to the body or church of Christ. The Bible does not contradict itself. Instead, it repudiates the man-made tradition that immersion is a work of man.

Argument #4: "The Apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 1:17 that he had not been sent to baptize but to preach the gospel. Consequently baptism cannot be for salvation!"

Answer: 1 Corinthians 1:17 does not negate the teachings of Yeshua, the disciples, or Paul himself regarding the relationship of immersion to salvation and the forgiveness of sins. The context of 1 Corinthians 1:17 reveals that Paul was addressing spiritual problems within the Corinthian church wherein certain people were promoting themselves based upon who immersed them. Furthermore, Paul understood that it does not matter who does the immersing any more than it matters who delivers a baby at its natural birth.

The Necessity of Baptism

Yeshua made it clear that men’s vain doctrines can never bring anyone to salvation:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)

In other words, your feelings, past experiences, answered prayers, righteous acts done in the Savior’s name or man-made doctrines cannot determine or assure you of salvation. Only the Word of God can resolve whether you are in a saved relationship with Yeshua.

The Word of God requires that after being convicted by the Holy Spirit we must surrender our lives to Yeshua in faith, repent of our sins, confess Yeshua as the Son of God and as Lord and be immersed in His name for the remission of our sins. Immersion by itself cannot save anyone. However, according to the Scriptures Yeshua saves us through His blood-atoning sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave when all of the forgoing scriptural requirements are satisfied.

If you are not yet in a saved relationship with Yeshua as described in the Bible, do not delay, make Him your Lord and Savior today:

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37)

Contact Mission to Israel, PO Box 248, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69363 for more information or further study about immersion. Resources on this topic are available at no cost.

Baptism: All You Wanted to Know and More is available for free.

Source Notes

1. "Yeshua" is the English transliteration of our Savior’s Hebrew name and is preferred by the author. For a more thorough explanation concerning the use of the sacred names of God, The 3rd Commandment may be read at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/3rdcom-pt1.php or it may be ordered on 5 sixty-minute cassette tapes from Mission to Israel Ministries, PO Box 248, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69363. A $15.00 donation for the tapes is suggested, or they may be obtained on a listen-and-return basis.

2. All scripture is quoted from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.

3. Transliteration commutes the letters of a word from one language to another language and should be used exclusively for the names of people, places, etc.

4. Translation commutes the meaning of a word from one language to another language.

5. James Strong, "Greek Dictionary of the New Testament," The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990) p.18.

6. Strong, p. 18.

7. W. E. Vine, Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (McLean, VA: MacDonald Publishing Company) pp. 98-99.

8. Vine, p. 99.

9. Yahweh is the personal Hebrew name of the God of the Bible. For a more thorough explanation concerning the use of the sacred names of God, The 3rd Commandment may be read at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/3rdcom-pt1.php or it may be ordered on 5 sixty-minute cassette tapes from Mission to Israel Ministries, PO Box 248, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69363. A $15.00 donation for the tapes is suggested, or they may be obtained on a listen-and-return basis.

10. Where the Tetragrammaton "YHWH" – the four Hebrew characters that represent the personal name of God – has been incorrectly rendered as "the LORD" or "GOD" in scripture, the author has taken the liberty to correct those passages and insert "YHWH." For a more thorough explanation concerning the use of the sacred names of God, The 3rd Commandment may be read at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/3rdcom-pt1.phpor it may be ordered on 5 sixty-minute cassette tapes from Mission to Israel Ministries, PO Box 248, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69363. A $15.00 donation for the tapes is suggested, or they may be obtained on a listen-and-return basis.