Foolish Preaching On The Subjects Of Baptism
There are various ideas in the religious world about the proper subjects for baptism. Some think that infants are proper subjects. Others think that they can "baptize" an impenitent man. Others think they baptize the saved. Still others teach that penitent believers are to be baptized for the remission of their sins.
First, the Bible nowhere teaches us to baptize infants. There is neither command, example or necessary inference that babies were baptized in the early church. The doctrine of infant baptism arose because people began to think that babies were born guilty of hereditary total depravity. They understood that Jesus taught, "Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." (Jno. 3:3-5.) There was no question in the first century church that baptism was essential to salvation. There was no question in the second and third centuries that baptism was essential to salvation. The first signs of error were manifested when the ugly doctrine of hereditary total depravity began to rear its head. They believed the false doctrine, and combined it with the truth that baptism is essential to salvation from sins, and began to practice infant baptism. They deny the deed, but practice it anyhow.
Little infants are not lost; they do not need to be saved, for they are safe. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven was composed of such as little children. (Matt. 18:3.) Because infants are not lost, but are safe, I conclude that they do not need to be baptized. What good would it do?
Jesus taught that believers were to be baptized. (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20.) Infants cannot believe, and are not proper subjects of baptism. Peter taught that those who repent are to be baptized. (Acts 2:38.) But, infants cannot repent; hence, we must conclude that infants are not proper subjects of baptism.
Second, some teach that the impenitent are to be baptized. Some months ago in the city of Louisville, Ky. a robber was attempting to hold up a tavern. The tavern-keeper shot him, and when he saw that the man was dying, he asked him if he had been baptized. When the robber said, "No," the tavern keeper ran to the sink and drew a glass of water and threw it into his face, calling it "baptism." Of course, this tavern-keeper had been taught that nobody could go to heaven without baptism. He had been taught that even little infants will not be able to go to heaven without it. He really believed in the doctrine of "baptismal regeneration."
The New Testament teaches "repent and be baptized ...." (Acts 2:38.) The Bible does not teach us to baptize anybody that will not repent. We are to baptize those who believe and repent Baptism will do the impenitent sinner no good. One's heart must be changed by faith; his life and attitudes must be changed in repentance, before he obeys the Lord in baptism.
Third, some think the saved are to be baptized. They think that a person must be saved first, and then he becomes a fit subject of baptism. They think he needs to have an "experience of grace," or a "Christian experience," and then upon his testimony the church votes as to whether they wish to authorize his baptism or not. They think a person is saved first, and is then baptized to "join" the church.
The Bible does not teach us to baptize the saved in order to initiate them into the church. When Peter preached on Pentecost, he called upon the Jews to "know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do ? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:36-38. Peter didn't tell them to get saved first, and then be baptized to join some church. He told them to "repent and be baptized . . . for the remission of sins." To receive remission of sins is to be saved Then, in verse 47 we read, "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." These people did not "join" some church. The Lord added them to his church when they became such as should be saved.
In Acts 22:16, Ananias tells Saul, "And now why tarriest thou, arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Evidently, Ananias had never heard of the doctrine of getting saved first and later being baptized to join the church. He had never heard of mourner's bench salvation. Saul was not baptized after he was saved.
Infants are not subjects of scriptural baptism. The impenitent are not subjects of scriptural baptism. The saved are not subjects of scriptural baptism. Bible baptism is "for the remission of sins." Infants have no sins, and do not need baptism for the remission of sins. The impenitent sinner refuses to repent and be baptized for the remission of his sins. It does no good to pour water on him, sprinkle it on him, or immerse him in it. He starts out a dry sinner, and comes out a wet sinner. He's still a sinner. He needs to believe in Christ with all of his heart, repent of his sins, confess his faith in Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins. When he conforms to the conditions of our Lord, he is saved, and the Lord adds to the church "such as should be saved." He did it then, and he will do it now. Why don't you take advantage of the opportunity that is now yours to obey the gospel? Heaven is at stake.