IN CHRISTENDOM there have been huge divisions over the doctrine of Baptism. Yet this practice is not something to be ignored for it is Biblical and needs to be exhibited in the life of the Church. Baptism is something that is reserved only for believers who have come “out of darkness into his wonderful light.”538 Many true believers became martyrs to defend and stand upon the truth of believer’s Baptism. They stood up against the false ideology of infant Baptism perpetrated by the Catholic church system for many years. Those who were known in the 1500s as Anabaptists were those who re-baptized therefore named Ana (re-) Baptists. Many paid a dear price as the persecutors in that day made them martyrs through a third Baptism by drowning.
Repeated testimonies throughout Church history confirm the fact that when a believer confesses faith in the Lord Jesus Christ they will have a desire to obey the Lord in water Baptism. Whether this is by full immersion, sprinkling or any other method must not be a dividing point amongst believers. Some call Baptism the first obedience which is right because it is one of the first commands to a new believer. Some will try to make Baptism of no importance because it is just one small command. But we must have the mindset that even the smallest commands from God in the Day of Judgment will be very important.
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself exemplified water Baptism—as an adult—being baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. God the Father was pleased and opened up heaven and spoke by way of a voice: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.”539 We are commanded to baptize in the Gospel of Matthew: “Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”540 Also in the Gospel of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”541 Throughout the Book of Acts believers followed Christ in Baptism, including the 3000 saved at Pentecost.542
When we are baptized we declare to the world our faith in Jesus Christ, that we are baptized with Him into His death—that sin has died with us—and that we rise into Jesus’ resurrection, having put on Christ. We are baptized into one body, and by one Spirit, the Spirit of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
After accepting Christ no Baptism classes are necessary. “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’ Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ The eunuch answered, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”543
May we take heed to these things and treat every command of Scripture as important, more-important than anything else in this earth-life.