Manslick Road church of Christ

Baptism's Proper Place

How do we keep baptism in its proper place? The answer depends on what you mean by place.

The Physical Place

A recent newspaper article reported that the favorite baptizing place for a group of United Baptist churches in south central Kentucky is a baptizing center in Beaver Dam Creek near Rhoda. They have been using it for generations. It is a matter of conviction with these folks to use running or “living” water in baptism. They point out that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River; therefore, to use an indoor baptistry would not be following His example.

If people prefer to baptize in a creek for scenic or nostalgic reasons, that is their business. To insist on that, however, is another matter. The New Testament does make a few references to “living water” (Jn. 4:10-11; 7:38 ), but none of them are talking about baptism. John baptized at Aenon near Salim because there was much water there (Jn. 3:23 ), not because there was moving water there. We do not know what bodies of water the apostles may have employed in their worldwide preaching. (3,000 were immersed at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2:41 ]. Since it had only one small stream, several commentators suggest the city’s pools made that possible.)

The Place in God’s Plan

Ironically, these Baptists who make such a point about the physical place of baptism completely ignore its place in God’s plan. The newspaper report said some of the boys baptized on a particular day in August were saved at revival in March but had to postpone their baptism. How can that be?

• Baptism is into Christ (Gal. 3:27 ). If one is saved prior to baptism he is saved out of Christ.

• Baptism is into Christ’s death (Rom. 6:3 ). If one is saved prior to baptism he is saved apart from Christ’s death.

• Baptism is for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38 ). If one is saved prior to baptism he is be saved without being forgiven.

• Baptism is to wash away sins (Acts 22:16 ). If one is saved prior to baptism he is saved while still in the filth of sin.

• Baptism saves us (1 Pet. 3:21 ). That is what Peter said. The Baptist preacher said the opposite: “Baptism doesn’t save us. It’s a testament of what is happening. It’s saying the seed of the gospel has come into my heart.” Where does the Bible teach any such thing?

Conclusion

It is nice to see people who are willing to be different to stand for what they believe in. It is sad, however, that they are so confused. They make a point of something to which the Bible attaches no significance, yet at the same time they ignore basic New Testament teaching about how we are saved.