Christian Baptism

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(Mat. 28:18‭-‬20 NLT)

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
(Mark 16:15‭-‬16 NLT)

Great Commission

Jesus Christ’s last words to his followers before his ascension included a great commission for them. He commanded them to go into all the world and preach the gospel and baptize those who believed. He reminded them that judgment involving salvation and punishment would depend on people’s response to His words. He also promised them His unfailing presence. They were instructed to begin the work only after the arrival of the Holy Spirit who would indwell them as a guide and companion and strengthen them. (Acts 1:4-5, 8)

According to Christ’s command, the disciples went to many places, starting from Jerusalem, and preached the gospel of salvation. History records that many of those who heard the message were convicted in their hearts, repented of their sins and received water baptism as a sign of their repentance.  (Acts 2:37, 38, 41)

It is recorded in the Bible that at the beginning of the Christian Church, those who believed in the gospel and repented were baptized. By mentioning Bible verses referring to families being baptized we cannot argue that infant baptism was practiced in the Church. Later, ofcourse, believers began to accept their children as part of the church by sprinkling water through the ceremony called baptism.

What is Christian baptism?

Baptism comes from Jewish practices. We read that people were baptized during the ministry of John as a sign of repentance (Luke 3; John 1). It is an ordinance or sacrament that Christ commanded as a symbol of being born again under the new covenant. God’s Word makes it very clear that being born again is by faith alone. Baptism is not the source or means of salvation, but a symbol or sign of being saved. It is a testimony before the world and before God. An outward declaration of an inward change that has occurred. An open declaration of one’s willingness to forgo everything worldly and follow Christ. (Luke 9:23-26; Mark 8:34-38)

Church Membership

God’s Word makes it clear that a person is saved by faith alone.

For it is not by grace that you have been saved through faith;  You are not the cause either; It is the gift of God. And works are no reason why no one should be praised. (Eph. 2:8-9)

Christ made it clear that those who believe and are baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16).

In Acts 2:47 we read that “the Lord was daily adding to the Church those who were being saved.”

Thus the body of Christ, the true Church, is the group of people who have been saved by faith. Christ alone is the founder, Master, and head of His Church.  He is the only one who can add people to His body, the Church.  This Church, which He purchased by His own blood, is His bride. God has given spiritual gifts of grace to the Church so that it may grow up to the standard and fullness of Christ and be perfect in all things. (Eph. 4:11-16)

The Holy Spirit intended these gifts for the spiritual growth of the whole church. But history indicates that they were used to establish supremacy over church members and to acquire power and positions. We know that this tradition continues. The New Testament pattern of the organization and functioning of the Church were abandoned.  Christian denominations and groups sprang up based on the doctrines and teachings of those who emerged as “successors” to the apostles. Many rituals and ceremonies became part of the faith. Water baptism was seen as a condition or qualification for membership in denominations.  Everyone who is baptized received the “Christian” tag whether they believed the gospel or not. In other words, baptism has become a substitute for faith in the gospel.

Believers’ Baptism and Reformation

From time to time, whenever the Church of God synchronized with other philosophies and left the true faith, God raised up people who held onto the Gospel truth. They were all persecuted for standing up for the true Gospel. Some were brutally executed. Those who  adorned high offices exercised their “apostolic” authority in this manner. Whatever they say is interpreted as the word of God. The Church of God has become everyone else’s but God’s.

The term used in reference to the Church in the Greek means ‘a group of people who are called out’. The Church is the group of people who are called out from the world into God’s kingdom, from darkness into the light, from death into life, from slavery into freedom, from condemnation into salvation. Only the Lord Jesus can bring this transformation. Christian baptism is an expression of this transformation from self to Christ and from sin to salvation.

Believers’ baptism was not introduced by the reformers as some argue. If we look into the New Testament, we can see the command of Christ, the founder of the church. The statements of people who hold the reins of the church became more precious and authoritative than the words of Christ. They misled the people to believe that the Church is greater than the Word of God. To change the misconceptions and understand the truth, one should read and meditate on the Word of God daily.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
(Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

The truth will set you free

Anyone who dilute or modify the Gospel message which the Apostles preached will be cursed. Apostle Paul clearly warned the believers in Galatia that if anyone thus leads the Church astray, he will be damned. (Gal. 1:8-9).

The true gospel the Apostles preached is not available except from the Bible. Those who believe in the ‘legends’ handed down from generation to generation are drifting farther and farther away from the truth.  (1Tim. 4:7,16)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
(John 14:6 NLT)

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8:32 NLT)

Know Christ Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life, submit to Him, obey Him, and worship Him alone.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
(Col. 1:15‭-‬17 NLT)