The Marks of a Meaningless Baptism-Part 2

Marks of a meaningless baptism: Part 2

Written by: David Stafford

Baptism is only meaningful when it is observed according to the Scriptures (John 17:17)! Sadly, religions drastically differ about how this is practiced and why it is practiced. God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). Therefore, only one message, and only one motivation can be right!

Let us notice two more marks of a meaningless baptism to discover more of what is considered a meaningful baptism approved of God!

An Incorrect Message

            Religions drastically differ about the message of baptism. A scriptural baptism can only be accomplished when it is observed according to the Scriptures (Mark 16:16)!

Notice some of the different teachings that cannot be rightfully supported by the Bible and the defense for what is a meaningful baptism:

(1) Catholics, Methodists, and Presbyterians practice infant baptism. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” (Mark 16:16). Infants do not have the mental capacity to believe, repent, or confess Christ, nor do they have sin in their lives (Mat. 18:3; 19:14)!

Infant baptism is a meaningless baptism!

(2) Baptists teach that one must be baptized as an outward sign of an inward grace. In other words, he is baptized to symbolize his prior conversion of accepting Jesus into his heart. Peter commanded the Jews who crucified the Christ to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). The preposition for means “in order to.”

Baptism is the reason why accountable men and women must be baptized!

(3) Some religions teach that one is to be baptized to join a church. The Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:38-47). Sadly, many are baptized and join a denomination without being taught of the one church Jesus died with His blood (Acts 20:28). One must be taught the singularity of Christ’s church (Mat. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; Col. 1:18).

The Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:38-47).

Multiple teachings cannot be equally right, so we must look to the authoritative standard for the correct teaching
 of baptism. One cannot learn that which is false and be baptized right! Christianity is a taught religion (John 6:44-45). The only correct message concerning baptism is being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

An Incorrect Motive

            Christianity is not for the faint of heart (Gal. 6:9). Becoming a Christian requires one to be determined to serve the Lord faithfully for the remainder of his time on the earth (Luke 9:23). Some choose to be baptized for insincere motives.  

• A child, for example, may be pressured by his family to be baptized. This child can quote the gospel plan of salvation, but he is not ready to make the commitment to serve the Lord. So, he is baptized, because he knows that is what his parents want him to do. His baptism does not result in a conversion. 
• A person may be baptized, because he wants the approval of his friends, but God is the One we should be aiming to please (Gal. 1:10)! A person wanting to be baptized must be sincere and desire to serve the Lord in all sincerity (Rom. 12:9)!

            Baptism is essential to salvation (1 Pet. 3:21), but baptism is meaningless if it is not observed according to the Scriptures (Psa. 119:89). 

Baptism is meaningful when the rightful recipient realizes his lost state in sin (Rom. 3:23), believes Jesus is the Christ and the way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), repents of his sins with godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10), and confesses Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37). He then is ready to be baptized for the remission of his sins. He must realize that he contacts the precious blood of Jesus (John 19:34) when he is buried with Christ by baptism, and he then arises a new creation in Christ (Rom. 6:2-5; 2 Cor. 5:17). 

Let us make sure that our baptism was meaningful, and it aimed to please God (Gal. 6:10)!