A8.3 – VARIOUS VIEWS ON WATER BAPTISM

Various denominations of Christian Churches have different beliefs on the subject of water baptism, who is qualified to be baptized and which is the most appropriate method of administering water baptism. Some of these beliefs are biblically correct while many others are incorrect:

Incorrect Views of Water Baptism:

1. That water baptism is a mere New Testament ritual whereby water is applied to the body of the person being baptized. That until a believer is baptized; he cannot enter into the fellowship of the Church.

2. That water baptism is a sign and seal of God’s covenant and promise of salvation of man. That until a believer is baptized; he cannot enter in to the covenant

3. That water baptism is a sacrament. That is according to John 3:5, water baptism is

a) a means of receiving God’s grace.

b) a means of receiving remission of sins

c) a means of receiving salvation and regeneration

d) a means of receiving the new nature

e) a means of producing change in the life of the believer.

4. That water baptism is the New Testament version of circumcision being carried out on Jewish male adults in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, all Jewish males and any male convert to Judaism (Proselyte) must undergo circumcision rite as an external visible sign of entering into the Abrahamic Covenant. Thus, in the New Testament, water baptism is required for all who believe.

5. That as circumcision means cutting away of the male foreskin, (meaning, the cutting away of sin and a change of heart), so also, water baptism depicts the washing away of the sins of the believer,

Correct Views of Water Baptism:

1. That water baptism is a symbol, a token, an act of initiation, an outward sign and a public declaration that the believer now identifies himself with Jesus Christ. Col 2:11-12

2. Water baptism neither brings about an inward-change of heart nor affects a believer’s relationship with God. Titus 3:5

3. Water baptism is an outward testimony that a change has occurred in the heart of the believer. Acts 16:33

4 The practice of baptism by the Church and the submission to it by believers are acts of obedience to Jesus’ instructions, commitment to Christian teachings and proclamation of believer’s new faith Rom 6:4

5. Water baptism does not produce any faith, regeneration, or add to the believer’s faith but rather comes after salvation that faith produces.

6. Water baptism acts as establishment or incorporation of the believer as a member of the Church