Voices: Baptism by immersion for Baptist church membership

There are some persons who say they believe in Jesus and believe they are saved, but it is only words, and they do not have saving faith.

As an example, in some instances, a person may say they believe in Jesus and accept him as Savior—including believing Jesus died for their sins and rose from the grave—but they do not accept Jesus as Lord, have not repented of their sins, and do not have a changed heart and life, which is necessary to receive eternal life.

Knowing the role of baptism is also important. It may be some churches are not explaining to people the necessity of repentance and having a changed heart and life to be saved.

Scripture on salvation

Some verses that address salvation include Romans 5:8—Christ died for our sins; John 3:16—believe in Jesus for everlasting life; Romans 10:9—confess Jesus as Lord and believe he was raised from the dead; and Mark 1:15—repent and believe the gospel.

In John 3:3, 5, we read a person must be born again, born of the spirit, to enter the kingdom of God. We see in 2 Corinthians 5:17, if a person is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away and things now are new.

Salvation does require repentance of sins and a regeneration of the new believer, where they become, through the work of the Holy Spirit, a new person in Christ Jesus with a changed heart, turning to God with the desire to follow Jesus for eternal life (John 10:27-28) as Lord and obey his commandments to confirm they know him (1 John 2:3-4).

Scripture on baptism

Baptist churches allow believers to be members of the church only after they have been baptized by immersion in water, which is the only mode authorized in the Bible, following Jesus’ command to be baptized. Baptism is also a confirmation of their faith.

The New Testament church was formed by baptized believers, and the Bible tells us new believers were obedient and were baptized by immersion in water almost immediately after their confession of faith.

They were identified with Jesus in baptism, as we see in Romans 6:3-4—“Know ye not that so many of us as werebaptized into Jesus 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.”

Baptist practice

Baptist churches usually accept persons who have been members of another Baptist church into their membership. Some Baptist churches, but not all, will accept those who have made a profession of faith and been baptized by immersion in water in a church that is not Baptist.

Those who say they have been baptized but were sprinkled or poured should not be allowed membership in a Baptist church. Sprinkling and pouring are modes not authorized by the Bible. They do not meet the definition or meaning of the word “baptism.”

Substituting sprinkling or pouring for immersion may indicate a change or addition to Scripture is being made, which is prohibited. These modes cannot meet the action or the purpose given in Romans 6:3-4, which requires immersion in water.

Jesus confirmed the mode of baptism being immersion when he was baptized by John the Baptist prior to him beginning his ministry.

Baptism for salvation?

It has been pointed out baptism may not be required to be saved, since it is not mentioned in verses of belief and faith. Many believe this, because the thief on the cross was not baptized but was saved. Of course, he was not able to be baptized. Baptists do not say a person must be baptized to be saved, which is an act of obedience and a confirmation of faith.

There are some church groups that believe believers must be baptized to be saved.

This belief is based on Bible verses such as:

• Mark 16:16—“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
• Acts 2:38—“Then Peter said unto them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’”
• Acts 22:16—“And now why tarries thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
• 1 Peter 3:21—“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Baptism as confirmation

The Bible tells us there is no salvation without repentance and faith. When a person becomes a believer and has faith in Jesus as Savior, they also must repent of their sins and turn to God with a changed heart and a new life with the help of the Holy Spirit to be born again.

This also is a commitment to follow Jesus as Lord with a desire to keep his commandments, which includes baptism. Baptism is an act of confirming a person’s faith and identifying with Jesus. It is also an act of obedience to Jesus’s command to be baptized.

Seeing the examples of obedience by new believers in the Bible and reviewing the verses on turning to God with a changed heart and life, if a person has knowledge, opportunity and is physically able, with a changed heart and is a true born-again believer, they should desire to be baptized as soon as possible.

If a person has not followed Jesus’ command to be baptized, or if they do not have an intention to be baptized, it may be an indication they did not have a born-again experience and do not have eternal life.

However, only God knows the heart. He will choose who will enter his kingdom. For church leaders, it seems best, instead of saying baptism is not required to be saved, to explain to new believers the necessity of repentance and new life and how baptism is part of the salvation experience.

John H. Trow Jr. is a member of First Baptist Church in Houston. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author. A contrasting view can be read here.