Faith & Reason Nexus

This question, drawn from Acts 19:1-7, suggests the need for individuals to reflect on the meaning and purpose of their baptism, considering whether it aligns with the teachings of Scripture. Baptism is an important step in the life of a Christian, and the Bible calls for believers to ensure that their baptism is in accordance with the truth.

1. One May Expect to Answer for His Actions

• 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
  • Every person is responsible for their actions, including the decision to be baptized. Each must be ready to explain why they were baptized and whether it was in alignment with God’s will.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
  • It is essential for a person to evaluate and understand their baptism, testing whether it aligns with Scripture.

2. One Is to Know About His Baptism

• Hebrews 8:10-12: “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
  • Baptism must be understood in the context of God’s covenant and what He requires of believers.
• John 8:31-32: “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”
  • Understanding the truth is essential for salvation, and knowing the true meaning of baptism is part of that truth.

3. Not All Baptisms Are Scriptural

• Acts 18:25-26: “This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.”
  • Some baptisms, like that of John, were not sufficient for salvation under the New Covenant. Understanding the scriptural nature of baptism is necessary.
• Acts 2:38: “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
  • Baptism must be done in the name of Jesus Christ, as part of the New Testament plan for salvation.
• Ephesians 4:5: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
  • The Bible teaches that there is only one true baptism, and it must be in accordance with God’s will.

4. One May Be Obedient But Not to Truth

• 1 Peter 1:22: “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”
  • Obedience must be to the truth of the Gospel, not merely outward compliance.
• Romans 10:1-3: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.”
  • Sincerity is important, but without knowledge of the truth, one may be sincerely wrong in their actions.
• 2 Peter 1:12: “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.”
  • One must be continually reminded of the truth, as baptism and salvation are tied to it.

5. A Person May Be Sincere, But Sincerely Wrong

• Acts 2:5: “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.”
  • Many people may be sincere in their beliefs, but sincerity alone is not enough if it is not in line with God’s will.
• Acts 26:9-11: “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”
  • Paul was sincere in his opposition to Christianity, but he was wrong and needed to change.

6. Some People Need to Be Baptized Again

• 1 Peter 3:21: “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
  • Baptism is the means of salvation and is linked to a good conscience toward God. If a person’s previous baptism did not align with this purpose, they may need to be baptized again.
• Galatians 3:26-27: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
  • Baptism must be for the purpose of putting on Christ, and if this was not the case previously, it may need to be done again.
• 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
  • True baptism unites believers into the body of Christ, and if one was not baptized into that body, they need to be baptized properly.

7. There Are Sincere People Who Will Change

• Acts 19:5: “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
  • Those who had previously been baptized improperly responded to the truth and were baptized again in the correct manner.
• Acts 16:13-15: “And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”
  • Lydia, a sincere woman, responded to the truth and was baptized.

Two Questions:

1. Have you been baptized?
   • Reflect on whether you have undergone baptism and whether it was done according to the teachings of the Bible.
2. Unto what were you baptized?
   • Consider whether your baptism was done in the proper way—into Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, and in accordance with God’s will. Are you certain that your baptism was scriptural?

• 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”
  • We are encouraged to examine ourselves, ensuring our baptism and faith are in line with God’s truth.
• 2 Peter 1:10: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”
  • We must ensure our salvation by diligently following God’s instructions, including in baptism.