No 1 Argument: NO NEED to be baptised (Water baptism)
The argument that some biblical scholars/churches utilize in their rejection of the water baptism sacrament, is the event when Jesus Christ was crucified.
They argue the one criminal acknowledged that their crucifixion (death) as criminals was justified, but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In the end, he asked;
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luk 23:42
Jesus’s answer is quite profound, but it also reveals His power and authority. He answered:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luk 23:43 This answer of Christ declares that this criminal had just received mercy and grace to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven without the need to be baptised. Or even repent or believe in Christ. The above scripture exegesis is quite correct. But to apply this as a doctrine to the Church dispensation is erroneous and flawed when tested in a Biblical context. If everybody could just acknowledge Christ as being sinless and ask Him to remember them when He is in His Kingdom to be saved, then Christ would not have to die on the cross at all. If there was no need to repent and be baptised – then I guess we could just ask for salvation upon our faith in Him, and then it should be done and dusted. Especially, if we could do this once and for all. Like a “once-saved-always-saved” scenario?
But no, unfortunately, this is not how it works. The facts are:
- This event of the crucifixion was a ONE TIME event and when this criminal reached out for grace, Jesus responded.
- Jesus has forgiven a couple of people of their sins (which revealed His divinity and sovereignty) during His earthly ministry years, but we are not living in those days. We are part of the Church dispensation – to whom He has given specific commands to obey, of which water baptism is one of them.
- What was the reason for the preaching of repentance and water baptism by John then – if it was not a forerunner/preview of the new salvation plan of God to come through Christ?
- This event took place before the crucifixion of Christ. The command to baptize came nearly 40 days later before His ascension.
- And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mar 16:15-16
- The Church was born on the day of Pentecost with a command to “repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
- This same command was preached all over the world by the apostles and even Paul.
In summary – this event was a once-off situation. We will never be in the same situation (praise the Lord for that) and we have received a new salvation plan which includes repentance and water baptism
“To be baptized; or NOT to be baptized – that is the question!”
Part 2.
No 1 Argument: NO NEED to be baptised (Water baptism (full immersion)
The argument that some biblical scholars/churches utilize in their rejection of the water baptism sacrament, is the event when Jesus Christ was crucified.
They argue the one criminal acknowledged that their crucifixion (death) as criminals was justified, but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In the end, he asked;
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luk 23:42
Jesus’s answer is quite profound, but it also reveals His power and authority. He answered:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luk 23:43 This answer of Christ declares that this criminal had just received mercy and grace to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven without the need to be baptised. Or even repent or believe in Christ. The above scripture exegesis is quite correct. But to apply this as a doctrine to the Church dispensation is erroneous and flawed when tested in a Biblical context. If everybody could just acknowledge Christ as being sinless and ask Him to remember them when He is in His Kingdom to be saved, then Christ would not have to die on the cross at all. If there was no need to repent and be baptised – then I guess we could just ask for salvation upon our faith in Him, and then it should be done and dusted. Especially, if we could do this once and for all. Like a “once-saved-always-saved” scenario?
But no, unfortunately, this is not how it works. The facts are:
- This event of the crucifixion was a ONE TIME event and when this criminal reached out for grace, Jesus responded.
- Jesus has forgiven a couple of people of their sins (which revealed His divinity and sovereignty) during His earthly ministry years, but we are not living in those days. We are part of the Church dispensation – to whom He has given specific commands to obey, of which water baptism is one of them.
- What was the reason for the preaching of repentance and water baptism by John then – if it was not a forerunner/preview of the new salvation plan of God to come through Christ?
- This event took place before the crucifixion of Christ. The command to baptize came nearly 40 days later before His ascension.
- And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mar 16:15-16
- The Church was born on the day of Pentecost with a command to “repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
- This same command was preached all over the world by the apostles and even Paul.
In summary – this event was a once-off situation. We will never be in the same situation (praise the Lord for that) and we have received a new salvation plan which includes repentance and water baptism
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