Many who claim to follow Christianity may be surprised to know that the Bible does not teach there is a supernatural devil or satan who opposes God and tempts men and women to sin. This idea is of pagan origin and was introduced into the early church.
Many people today believe that they have been baptised because they were christened as a baby. But true baptism (as it is defined and described in the Bible) involves belief followed by a complete immersion in water.
The Bible teaches that baptism requires belief on the part of the person being baptised:
“Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved” (Mark 16:15, 16).
Babies who are “christened” are unable to believe. The christening of infants is never mentioned in the Bible, but is a practice derived from paganism introduced into the Christian church in the third century AD.
The original Greek word for “baptise” used in the Bible is BAPTIZO, meaning to “dip under”. This was a word used in the dyeing trade to describe completely immersing garments in order to dye them another colour.
The Bible consistently defines baptism as being buried or immersed in water:
“And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him” (Acts 8:38).
“Buried with him (Jesus) in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him …” (Colossians 2:12).
“We are buried with him by baptism into death … planted together in the likeness of his death” (Romans 6:4, 5).
“And John (the Baptist) also was baptising in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there …” (John 3:23).
Other facts about true baptism as it is defined in the Bible
Jesus himself was baptised
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptised of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptised of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness …” (Matthew 3:13 – 15).
The apostles and the believers of their Gospel preaching were baptised
Paul “arose and was baptised” (Acts 9:18).
“When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).
“And many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptised” (Acts 18:8).
Peter said “Repent, and be baptised every one of you” (Acts 2:38).
Peter “commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48).
Only through belief in Christ and baptism into him, is there hope of salvation
“As many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
“He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved” (Mark 16:15, 16).
“As in Adam, all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
Through baptism, believers can obtain forgiveness of sins
“Arise, and be baptised and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins …..” (Acts 2:38).
True baptism with a knowledge of the Bible’s message (the Gospel) brings the believer into a great fellowship where all are related to the covenants made by God with Abraham
“For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed (or descendants) and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:27-29).
Baptism in water alone cannot save; after baptism, the believer must also live in obedience to God’s commands
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1, 2).
Jesus said “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14, 15).