BAPTISM MISPERCEPTIONS

Baptism is much like most of God's other commands (Acts 2:38) in that we can choose to obey it or not. It is unique, however, in that it is a command which changes our relationship with God. Prior to baptism we are outside of Christ, alienated from Him. Thus, the Romans understood that they were "baptized into Christ" (Rom. 6:3, Gal. 3:27), and every detailed case of conversion recorded in the book of Acts. In this sense Peter declared that baptism saves (1 Pet. 3:21).

We are caused to wonder why this is so difficult for some to understand. Perhaps it is because they have taught the traditional doctrine that one is saved "at the point of faith," or by "faith only." This doctrine is totally foreign to the New Testament, and the burden of proof falls upon those who teach it.

To illustrate one common misperception, consider a paragraph which appeared in The Sword of the Lord (January 27, 1995), which, according to the Guardian of Truth (April 6, 1995) is "a paper that circulates among independent Baptist Churches" The article was in reference to a recently-converted person, whose name is irrelevant. It stated:

"If ... [the converted, deceased person] followed the teaching of the Church of Christ and was trusting baptism to wash away his sins, as is taught by that church, then he is not in Heaven but in Hell. We cannot judge him nor those who dealt with him, but we do know that God is just and right in all that He does."

We agree that if a person follows the "teaching of the church of Christ" (or any other church for that matter), then they would be following the authority of man and not Christ (Col. 3:17). However, if those members of church of Christ taught this person what the bible teaches with regard to baptism, then they were not trusting themselves but the truth as authorized by Christ (Mt. 28:19-20).

Baptism does not wash away sins -- it is the blood of Christ that washes away our sins (Rev. 1:5). However, it was God (not man or any church) who chose baptism as that act of faith at which the blood of Christ is applied to the soul (Acts 22:16). How can anyone believe that obedience to the command of Christ could condemn a person to eternity in Hell (Isa. 5:20)?