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How important is Baptism?

Dr. Randy White

It’s no secret that different denominations have different ideas about Baptism. In fact, this is one of the most common distinguishing marks of separation between denominations. Whether you are Baptist, like me, or some other denomination, we need to question the assumptions about this important spiritual activity.As a Baptist, I think there are some ways in which we have made too much of Baptism. This may cause me to have to turn in my Baptist Card since baptism is the source of our denominational identity. Because of an insistence on believer’s baptism by immersion, a unique position for Christians 400 years ago, many early Baptists were put to death. The martyrdom was often at the hands of the reformers and parties to the reformation, who rejected reform in Baptism (and largely still do).But after Baptists came to be accepted in society they began to focus on Baptism to such a degree that it became the “main thing.” In Southern Baptist life, the number of baptisms was the measurement of validity . It was the chief tool for measuring “success.” Preachers rose to the top if their baptism ratios were good. The denominational awards were given to these men, they got the choice appointments and the denominational candy.Sometimes that which you count becomes your treasure, and sometimes your treasure becomes your god—your Golden Calf. In order to increase baptisms, Southern Baptists (and other brands, I’m sure), began to do some crazy things. It has been reported that the President of the Southern Baptist Convention has a children’s baptistry that is decked out in a firehouse theme with fire hoses spraying water and confetti cannons to “celebrate” the event. Baptism became a hoopla moment rather than a hallelujah moment. Why would a church go to such secularization of the sacred? The only reason I can imagine is because baptisms are what is counted, and what is counted is what is published in the denominational paper, and the publicity creates opportunities and awards, which in turn lead to invitations, appointments, and elections.But Baptists are not the only ones who have over-emphasized baptism. Read what R.C. Sproul has to say about baptism and you will see that some Presbyterians emphasize baptism to the point that it is a near-requirement for salvation, a sign and seal of God’s covenant. A Baptist might agree that is a sign, but few would say it seals anything. Though a Presbyterian would never make baptism cheap and secular with fire-engines and confetti guns, they have abused the ordinance just the same.For the Presbyterian, baptism is so emphasized as a holy rite that it can be done once and only once and never-ever a second time. (One reason Baptist baptism rates are higher than mainline denominations is that Baptists often re-baptize. One reason Baptists baptism rates are down is because they are rebaptizing at a slower rate, which may be a good thing).Martin Luther, neither Presbyterian nor Baptist, also overemphasized baptism. Luther said that even if a Jew (whom Luther despised, he was infamously anti-Semitic) was baptized under totally false pretenses, that the baptism was valid and should never be repeated. Baptism provided had spiritual benefit regardless of the faith, or lack thereof, of the candidate.And what the Catholics have done with Baptism goes far beyond the Presbyterians, Lutherans, and the Baptists, because they believe that it is a grace-giving sacrament. The Church of Christ has a similarly unbiblical position.Then with all the overemphasis of baptism, there are those of the Mid-Acts Dispensational Perspective or the Acts 28 hyper-dispensational perspective who deny any legitimate role for baptism.How important is Baptism? I would say it is an incredible testimony of faith that a believer should choose to do of his or her own free will. It will neither save nor sanctify that believer, who is complete in Christ with or without Baptism. Baptism is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, wherein believers have placed their faith. Since our faith is there, wouldn’t we want to give a testimony that celebrates the work of Christ that paid for our salvation?Baptism grew out of Jewish baptism. It has no connection whatsoever with circumcision (such connection is a heinous and replacement-theology driven argument given in Reformed and Catholic theology). John the Baptist was baptizing long before the Law and Circumcision were abolished in Christ. So to understand Christian baptism, we must understand Jewish baptism.On the day of Pentecost, 3,000 people were baptized. If we believe the Scripture, then most of these had probably also been baptized by John a little over three years earlier. Furthermore, if we understand Jewish history, most of these were probably often baptized, because Jewish baptism was a symbolic baptism by immersion prior to a significant spiritual event (like entering into the Temple).  We act as if these 3,000 were being baptized for the first time ever, observing a brand-new Christian ordinance, but such a position is just pie-in-the-sky without a shred of Biblical or historical evidence.If you’re a Christian, I think you should be Baptized. It is a beautiful testimony of your faith. If you’re not a Christian, baptism is entirely meaningless, regardless of mode and method.WANT TO LEARN MORE?