Baptism- Part One

In this series of posts, I hope to take a fresh look at what the scriptures have to say about baptism. There is much tradition associated with baptism; however tradition ought not to be elevated to the same level as the Word of God. As you read these posts I ask you to set aside whatever bias you may have towards baptism and explore along with me what the scriptures have to say...

Lets begin by looking at Acts chapter 8:12-13: “But when they believed Phillip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptizing both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized.” Here we see that when those who had been listening to Phillip believed in the name of Jesus, they didn’t raise their hand or say a prayer, they were baptized immediately. The same is true of Simon; he believed and was baptized right then and there.

In Acts 16 we read the familiar passage about Paul and Silas leading the jailer to Christ. Starting in verse 30 the jailer asks Paul and Silas: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved- you and your household.” “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Here it was in the middle of the night yet they didn’t wait for the next baptism service or a particular minister to be baptized. The scripture says they were baptized immediately.

Throughout scripture there are numerous examples that confirm this truth of people being baptized immediately after they believe. How come we don’t practice this today? Have we instead shifted the focus to a person coming forward or raising their hand? We don’t see this in scripture at all. I don’t want to be misunderstood here, I don’t believe the act of baptism saves you; faith alone saves you. We will look at this distinction in part two of this series.

I believe that if an adult believes in the name and work of Jesus then they ought to be baptized immediately. Go find some water and dunk em, who cares if it is 2am and -10 outside ;-)

The point is this: in scripture we see people being baptized right after believing, so why shouldn’t we?