“Things Baptism Does Not Do”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

Baptism is critical to pleasing God in this life. The Bible says that one must be baptized in order to be saved from past sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). We need to instruct people in this truth if we are going to save a population who is dying in sin daily (Mk. 16:15; II Tim. 2:2). As we study about baptism and its necessity for saving lost people, let us also understand that there are some things that baptism does not do.

 

Baptism Does Not …

 

Make A Minor An Adult

            In other words, if a young boy is convicted by the Scripture, based on what he has heard, he then believes on Christ, repents of his sin, confesses Christ, and is baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:10; I Pet. 3:21). He is forgiven of His sin, and becomes a Christian (Acts 22:16, 11:26). Baptism, however, does not make him a man! Nor does a girl following the Lord’s plan of salvation become a woman just because she is baptized.

            We rejoice with the angels when someone comes to Christ, recognizing his/her soul’s lost condition and wants to be right with God. However, this does not mean that this 9, 10, 12, 13, etc. year-old is now a grown man or woman!

            I think this is necessary to study because, at times, when young boys become Christians, some become concerned that a woman can no longer teach them without violating I Timothy 2:11-12. This cannot be the case, for when we define the word “man” as I Timothy 2:11-12 uses it, we find this term means, “with reference to sex, and so to distinguish a man from a woman … with reference to age as to distinguish an adult man from a boy” (Thayer’s, p. 45). In other words, the “man” of I Timothy 2 was an adult male, not a boy! Again, the definition for man “stands in distinction from a woman … as distinct from a boy or infant.” (Vine’s). Therefore, if we know the difference between an infant, a child, and a man, then we can understand Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) was forbidding a woman from usurping authority “over the man” (not a boy) in I Timothy 2:11-12.

            For further study, note that Jesus was called a “child” (Lk. 2:42-43)! In this passage, Jesus was twelve years old. If we say we “call Bible things by Bible names,” then let us be consistent and call 12-year-old boys and girls children, as the Bible does!

            Yes, baptism forgives us from sin (Acts 2:38), puts us in a right relationship with God, and gives us life (Rom. 6:3-4). However, baptism does not change anyone’s age or maturity level. Baptism does not turn boys and girls into men and women.

 

Make An Unscriptural Marriage Scriptural

            For several years, there have been people teaching that one who is not a Christian is “not amenable” (subject to) the law of Christ in reference to His law on marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Source: The Divorced and Remarried Who Would Come To God, p. 49-50). Yet, when Jesus spoke, about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, He spoke to “whosoever …” (Matt. 5:32, 19:9). He did not speak only to those already in His kingdom. The things Christ spoke were words to which all would be “amenable” else, the sinner is not subject to anything Christ said! Think for a moment: “Who” is it that must hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized? Is it not those who are not Christians? Are not all people (Christians and non-Christians) going to be judged by Christ one day? Yes (II Thess. 1:6-9; Jn. 12:48)! If so, then all are subject to what Christ said, including what Christ said in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9! If a couple is living in an adulterous relationship before baptism, then they would still be in an adulterous relationship after baptism if they do not repent (Acts 2:38; Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30)!

            Being married to someone you have no right to is a sin. We cannot teach that someone who is baptized “washes away” past wives! Baptism will not make an unscriptural marriage scriptural.

 

Eliminate All Problems

            Sometimes, folks treat baptism as if it is the “magic” cure to problems. Yes, baptism forgives us of sins and puts us in a right relationship with God. Yet, baptism will not eliminate problems in our lives. In fact, at times, one’s baptism creates some problems he did not have before (Read II Cor. 11:23-28 and see what Paul suffered because he was a Christian.)! This is because by deciding to follow Christ, we are also choosing to reject and shun the things of this world. When we do this, the world will hate us! Jesus stated this fact to the disciples in John 15:18-20. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said we are “blessed” when persecuted (Matt. 5:10-12). Later, James wrote, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4). When one becomes a Christian, he does not eliminate all problems from his life!

 

Guarantee Earthly Riches

            Unlike what the so-called preachers of the “health and wealth” gospel say, one is not guaranteed earthly riches when becoming a Christian! One needs only remember that “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Lk. 9:58) and that “The servant is not greater than his lord” (Jn. 15:20), to understand that becoming a Christian does nothing to guarantee earthly riches. Our Lord said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). Yes, God promises to take care of His own (Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:25), but this does not mean that when one is a Christian, he receives a million dollars! A Christian’s reward and riches await him in eternity, not now (Matt. 6:19; II Tim. 4:8-10; I Pet. 1:4; etc.)!

 

Add You To A Denominational Body

            Please read this point carefully. I write this because sometimes folks who are raised in denominations will say they were baptized (immersed) and are, therefore, saved. What does the Bible say? The Bible says baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), not an outward sign of an inward grace. Once baptized, God adds one to the church (Acts 2:47). Many denominational folks say we can be “saved” one day and added to the church on another day. Which way is the Bible way?

            Furthermore, we see folks who say they were baptized to be saved but are in a church unknown to the Scriptures. In such cases, may we be reminded that there is only “one body” (Eph. 4:4), and we can only be baptized “into one body” (I Cor. 12:13). Therefore, Bible baptism cannot add you to a denominational body any more than baptism can be said to be an “outward sign of an inward grace.” Error taught, error heard, and error believed is error obeyed. Truth taught, truth heard, and truth believed is truth obeyed! One cannot be taught wrong and baptized right! Anyone involved with denominational error must be taught the truth, repent, and be baptized if they are going to be right with God. (Just as those religiously zealous Jews did in New Testament days, Acts 2:22, 41; 4:4; 6:7; etc.) I recognize this is not what “everyone” says, but this is what the Bible says!

 

Take Temptation Away

            Baptism does not grant immunity toward temptations and sin (Jas. 1:14-15). However, upon baptism, one has the right to pray and to know, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1:9). Numerous times in the Scripture, Christians are reminded to be steadfast, faithful, not to be weary in well-doing, etc., so that we will not give up while on earth (I Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9). 22 of the 27 books of the New Testament were written to Christians, telling them what to do to stay saved! Our Lord knew we would be tempted after becoming Christians.

            Baptism does not grant us immunity from temptation, but we now have an advocate in Jesus (I Jn. 2:1). We have a way to escape provided for us (I Cor. 10:13). Let us all be thankful for such blessings, and be even more ready to wear the armor of God and fight the onslaught of Satan (Eph. 6:13-18) so that one day we can see Heaven!