A few weeks after I trusted Christ as my Savior, Scott & I visted an independent Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa. It was there where Scott & I were baptized on March 15, 1986.
On one of our first visits to that church, the Pastor asked Scott, “Have you ever been scripturally baptized?” Scott replied, “Yes,when I was a baby.” And, of course, that was my response also. The pastor explained to us that “infant” baptism is not in the Bible, and went on to explain what Scriptural baptism is…according to the teachings of the Lord Jesus.
What is Scriptural Baptism?
Jesus shows us exactly how we are to be baptized and He also explains in His Word exaclty when we are to be baptized. Scriptural baptism is full immersion as Jesus demonstrated in the river Jordan when John the Batist baptized Him.
Baptism is a picture of salvation. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12. Baptism pictures the death (when we died to the old self at salvation), the burial (when we go under the water), and the resurrection (when we rise up out of the water), of Jesus Christ. It is a picture of our new life as a Christian and it is performed publicly as it was done in Jesus’ day. It shows that we are identifying with like-believers…with born-again Christians. We have died to the old, sinful self and we now rise to live a new life in and through Christ Jesus. Plain and simply, it is obedience to the Lord. Baptism doesn’t “save” anyone; it is obedience to Him. In Acts 2:41, the Bible says, “Then they that gladly received his word (Jesus Christ is the Word) were baptized…and the same day…” Obedience in scriptural baptism “after” salvation is vital in a new Christian’s life in order to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord.
Since infants cannot understand salvation or their need for a Savior, infant baptism is not found anywhere in the Bible. When a child comes to the age of accountability, which is different for every child…he understands that he is a sinner and that he needs the Lord to forgive him of his sins. I remember when our son, Ryan, was six years old. He had been disobedient and while we were disciplining him, Scott also spoke to him about salvation. Ryan decided that he should be saved…but not for the right reason! He still did not understand the Gospel or what he was really praying about. He just thought if he prayed, his mom and dad would be happy! Two years later, he informed us that he understood that he was a sinner and that he needed to be saved! He bowed his head and prayed right there with us and we could see the difference in his heart and in his life once he truly got saved!
Baptist is a humbling experience, but when Jesus went through the torture and suffering of the cross, He humbled Himself for us. I realized how much my Lord had done for me and I understood that standing before the church soaking wet in my baptism gown was nothing compared to His agony on my behalf!
After salvation, the very first step of obedience for a new Christian is baptism! In the next chapter, I will share how the Lord showed me His will for my life. He can show YOU the will for YOUR life also!