One of the primary difficulties in achieving an unbiased view of the Bible is an unquestioning acceptance of what we have been taught-and a feeling of obligation to defend it.
Even though it may be difficult, our goal should be to search for truth, not for proof texts for "our position."
We should be skeptical of any interpretation that forces us to go against the most natural and obvious meaning of Biblical texts. We should question the validity of any position that strains those texts to say something different from what they seem to clearly say. If we truly desire to know what God says, the first thing we should do is let the Word of God speak for itself.
For this reason I have decided, first of all, to reproduce the texts which are relevant to the meaning of baptism without comment.
Read these texts as if you were seeing them for the first time. What is their most natural, most obvious meaning? How would you understand these words if you had no commitment to a particular position? How would the original hearers have understood them?
1 Peter 3:21 "baptism does also now save us"
Mark 16:16 " he that believes and is baptized shall be saved"
Acts 2:38 "Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Galatians 3:26,27 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ."
It is clear through scripture that baptism is essiential for salvation.
Now what is "baptism"?
Only one-the bible says there is only one baptism Eph 4:6 "One faith, one Lord, one baptism..."
What is the one baptism?
To correctly identify the "ONE" baptism, we must find the baptism that was intended to continue from Pentecost to the end of the world. In giving the Great Commission Jesus said:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20).
--The preaching and baptizing began on the day of Pentecost as the church was ushered into existence. It is the baptism of the Great Commission that is valid today, and will continue to be balid until the end of time. It was commanded. It was to be administered by men. It was for the people of all nations who were capable of believing (Mark 16:16).
The Holy Spirit baptism was never commanded, but promised. Acts 1:8---and could not be administered by men, only by Jesus Matt3:11-12.
Baptism of the Great Commission was in water.
"And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, 'Look! Here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36)
There was enough water for the one who was being baptized, as well as the one who was doing the baptizing, to go down into the water. This was not a "sprinkling" or a "pouring". Clearly, it was a burial, an immersion.
"And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Phillip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away.."(Acts 8:38-39)
The "One" Baptism was for the remission of sins:
When Peter stood up with the other apostles on the day of Pentecost and preached the gospel for the first time, the plan of salvation was revealed. Those who wanted to be saved were commanded to repent and be baptized. The purpose of that baptism was "For the remission of sins"(ACts 2:38). At the time of Paul's conversion the preacher not only instructed him to be baptized, he also told him the purpose of that baptism:
"Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." -note that calling on his name refers to be baptized and wash away your sins due to the conjunction.
Today, in order for a baptism to be the "ONE" true and valid baptism, it must be for the same purpose, the remission of sins.
God designed baptism as the place where he would bestow the cleansing of Christ's blood. It is "the blood of Jesus that purifies us from every sin"(1 John 1:7). Yet Saul was told to be baptized and wash away his sins (Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38). The connection is clear-in baptism God confers his grace of cleansing by the blood of Jesus.
Description of the "ONE" baptism:
1. The "ONE" baptism was in water. Acts 8:36
2. The "One" baptism is a burial and resurrection. Rom 6:4, Acts 8:38-39
3. The "One" baptism is to be administered by men. Matt 28:19
4. The "ONE" baptism is to last until the end of time. Matt 28:20
5. The "ONE" baptism is for people of the whole world. Matt 28:19, Mark 16:15-16
6. The "ONE" baptism is to be done in the name of the Father, son and the Holy Ghost as Jesus said to do. Matt 8:19.
7. The "ONE" baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38)
8. The "ONE" baptism is for those who are capable of believing. Mark 16:16
-Any baptism that does not fit the description above cannot be the "ONE" baptism of the New TEstament.
On a simplar note: Is baptism an act of obedience? Is so, anyone refusing to be baptized is not saved because "Christ is the saviour of them that obey him"~Heb 5:9.
What should you do?
Let the bible answer that question:
"Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38.
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