There really should be no controversy over baptism.  The only reason for it is because there are too many people listening to man instead of the inspired Word of God. God’s word is clear. Baptism is essential. The purpose of baptism is to have one’s sins forgiven (Acts 2:38). It is when a person is baptized that God performs a spiritual operation involving, figuratively speaking, the cutting away of sin. Paul refers to this and compares it to circumcision in Colossians 2:11-12. Paul tells us that in baptism we are putting off the body of the flesh, or as the NIV says, “the sinful nature.” This certainly emphasizes the necessity of baptism. Furthermore, baptism puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4).

Take note of the language found in Romans 6:4. “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Why must a person be baptized? Inspiration tells us that it is so we can live a new life. Without being baptized a person cannot live a new life because his sins have not been forgiven.

There is nothing magical about water; however, baptism is a God-given command that must be followed in order to enter into a right relationship with God. Why?  Because God said it. Period!   Do not try to read God’s mind and determine why He has set forth such a command. That is none of our business. God has the sovereign right to command, and when He does, our only duty is to obey.  Since He commands a person to be baptized, one must comply in order to be saved.

We have an example of this in the physical realm regarding the leprosy of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14). God, through the prophet Elisha, arranged for Naaman to be cleansed from leprosy by simply dipping into the Jordan River seven times. Naaman, being a Syrian, didn’t want to dip into the Jordan, preferring to dip into one of the rivers of Damascus instead.  Of course, not being obedient to the instructions of God, he would remain a leper.  In the end, he conceded and dipped into the Jordan and was cleansed.  Was their magic in the water?  No! Another leper could have jumped into the Jordan, and he would have remained a leper. The power belonged to God, and Naaman was cleansed by God’s mercy and his willingness to comply with God’s divine instruction. Spiritually, this is exactly why a person’s sins are forgiven when he is baptized. It is not because there is magic in the water. He is forgiven by God’s mercy and his willingness to do what God says.

There is, however, such a thing as unscriptural baptism. While baptism is essential, it is important to realize that it must be done for the right reason and in the right way, that is, the purpose and mode of the baptism are important.  Many have been baptized over the years, but their baptism has missed the mark because they were baptized for the wrong reason or in the wrong way. Then, of course, some have been baptized at the wrong time, that is, they were baptized as infants, for which there is no biblical precedent since infants have no reason for being baptized.  Remember, baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, and infants are sin-free already.

What is the right reason for being baptized?  We have seen that baptized is to have one’s sins forgiven, but it is also a part of the process that makes one a child of God.  Baptism IS NOT an outward sign of an inward grace. That is denominational language not found in God’s sacred Book. Baptism is not something done to people who are already saved, but to those who are outside of Christ for the express purpose of adding them to the body of Christ (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:47; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Baptism, then, is not something you do to stay saved; it is something you do to get saved. If you were baptized at a denominational church, you were probably baptized wrong since almost none of them teach that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. How can a person be taught wrong but baptized right? While not impossible, it is highly unlikely.

Finally, the symbolism, and the express language used in the commandment of baptism, make it clear that baptism is a burial, not a sprinkling. The word baptize is from the Greek word baptizō and means “to immerse or submerge” (Strong).  It is derived from the Greek word baptō which means, “to cover wholly with a fluid” (Strong). So, we are not surprised that when Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, the Bible says that they both went down into the water (Acts 8:38).  Nor are we surprised when we read of Paul referring to the act of baptism as a burial (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12), and describing it as one being planted (Romans 6:5).  Any other mode of baptism is unscriptural and will not wash sins away.

Make no mistake about it—baptism is absolutely necessary for one to become a child of God and be saved. Peter said, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). How can one argue against baptism in light of such clear and plain revelation? Let us not forget, however, that one must not only be baptized, he must be baptized for the right reason (for the forgiveness of sins), in the right manner (buried in the water), and be the right subject (one who has the ability to believe), or else the baptism is not scriptural.