Baptism In The New Testament, United States, and India

The biblical teaching concerning baptism is not difficult to discern. A quick reading of any of the four gospels reveals much about baptism. Baptism is not a teaching that is a side point to more important doctrines such as justification or the atonement. Baptism, in fact, is so important in the heart of God that Jesus included it as part of the great commission found in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-16.

In the United States and most Western nations with religious freedom, baptism has largely become nothing more than a ceremony that takes place once a month or perhaps fewer times in many evangelical churches. To me, this is a clear violation of the New Testament pattern for salvation. I believe that baptism is the proper response to the gospel. I believe that Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20 are to be taken seriously by the Church and the Apostles did follow through with Jesus' instructions by teaching baptism in the record of Acts (see Acts 2:38,41 for example). While evangelicals might want to debate the meaning of baptism, one thing is clear and that is that baptism was an important part of the gospel of Christ.

In many other nations around the world such as in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, to some extent South America, and especially in India - baptism is the line in the sand where the disciple denounces their old life for their faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:1-4). Like the book of Acts, baptism becomes the moment when someone is declared a Christian (Acts 10:48; 16:14-15; 18:8; 19:1-7; 22:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21-22). Peter links baptism so much a part of the gospel that he declares that it is for the forgiveness of sins in Acts 2:38. Baptism is the moment when someone declares physically and verbally that "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 10:9-10).

In the West we have substituted baptism for altar calls and the "sinner's prayer." Despite ignoring the fact that neither are to be found in the New Testament, both altar calls and the sinner's prayer have become part of the gospel. I know of churches that have an altar call and repeat the sinner's prayer every week "just in case someone needs Jesus." Baptism is hardly ever mentioned except when discussing church membership. Yet this goes against the New Testament. No-where did the Apostles teach the sinner's prayer nor do we find anyone ever praying for salvation in the Scriptures. No-where do we find altar calls. We find baptism throughout the book of Acts yet this is often called "works salvation" by many evangelicals.

Let me state, in conclusion, that I believe we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. I do not believe that we are saved by any good works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). Baptism, to be sure, is not a work that makes me righteous but it is a powerful expression of being a disciple of Jesus (John 4:1-2). Jesus said that if we loved him we would obey his commandments (John 14:15) and John declared that the one who says they know Jesus but don't obey him are not deceived (1 John 2:3-6). Baptism is the public declaration that I am a disciple of Jesus and that he alone can save me (Mark 16:16). If baptism is not in Christ Jesus then it is nothing more than taking a bath but when combined with our faith in Christ, baptism is a powerful moment (Galatians 3:27-29). I urge you to teach baptism instead of the sinner's prayer or altar calls when it comes to a response to the gospel. When someone asks, "What must I do to be saved?" Repeat Acts 2:37-41. Baptism is important.