What Is Wrong With Denominational Baptism?
Every religious denomination, with the possible exception of the Quakers, practices a rite they call baptism. Among denominations baptism is performed by (1) sprinkling water upon an individual, (2) pouring water upon an individual, or (3) by immersing the person in water. The Roman Catholics, Methodists Presbyterians and Episcopalians are foremost among those denominations which sprinkle and pour water for baptism, and the Baptists, Christian Churches, Mormons and Adventists are foremost among those who immerse for baptism.
But denominational baptism, regardless of the "form" or "mode" by which it is accomplished, is of absolutely no value whatever. An individual experiencing denominational baptism is made no better spiritually, but is generally found to be in worse condition spiritually due to the fact that such a one becomes self-satisfied with his denominational baptism, will close his mind to the truth of Christ, and will refuse to consider the fact that what he has done is not in harmony with the New Testament.
Consider, please, the following facts about denominational baptism as contrasted with the baptism taught and commanded in the New Testament:
1. Denominational Baptism Has The Wrong Authority. Jesus never commanded men to be baptized into any denomination. Jesus and the apostles commanded a baptism that puts one into a relationship with Christ (Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:26,27), and into a relationship with the body of Christ which is the church of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18) (Please take your New Testament and read these passages.) Denominational baptism rendered only on denominational authority is no baptism at all.
2. Denominational Baptism Has The Wrong Subject. Many denominations "baptize" infants, young children, and the untaught and unbelieving. Most denominations tell a person he is already saved before baptism, that baptism has nothing to do with remission of his past sins. But in the Bible the person who was baptized was one who was a servant of sin, that is, had committed sin (Rom. 6:16-18); was one who had heard and believed the saving gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 18:8); was one who was penitent of his past sins and had changed his mind concerning sin. Acts 2:37, 38) Thus the subject of New Testament baptism is a penitent believer, old enough to know and understand sin and to obey the gospel in baptism for the remission of his past sins Infants are thus excluded!
3. Denominational Baptism Has The Wrong Confession. Denominations have people confessing that they "feel" saved, or that "God for Christ's sake has pardoned my sins" before baptism. In the New Testament a person confessed that he believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God before baptism. (Acts 8:35-38; Rom. 10:9,10) Quite a difference!
4. Denominational Baptism Has The Wrong Purpose. Denominations tell people to be baptized because they are ALREADY saved. New Testament baptism is for the remission of sins or in order to be saved. (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21)
5. Denominational Baptism Is Preceded By The Wrong Order. The denominational order is: (1) repentance, (2) faith, (3) salvation, (4) baptism. The New Testament order. (1) faith in Christ, (2) repentance of sins, (3) confession of Christ, (4) baptism, (5) saved. To be sure this is right, will you please read Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37, 38; Acts 8:26-39; Acts 18:8.
6. Denominational Baptism Puts One Into The Wrong Church. When one is baptized with and by denominational baptism, he becomes a member of that denomination. But denominations are not found in the word of God. God never began them, nor told anyone to be a member of them. Where in the word of God does one read of the Baptist church, Methodist church, Mormon church, Adventist church, Christian church, Roman Catholic church, Pentecostal church, Nazarene church, Lutheran church, Presbyterian church. Episcopalian church, or any other human denomination? The man doesn't live on this earth who can find any one or all of these denominations in the word of God, But the baptism of the New Testament puts one into the right church, the only one that Christ has anything to do with. Christ built HIS church. (Matt. 16:18) He is the head of it. (Col. 1:18) It is his body of people. (Eph. 1:22,23) He promises to save the faithful who are in it. (Eph. 5:23; Rev. 2:10) He commands men to be baptized (immersed) (Mark 16:16), and when they are baptized He adds them to His church, His body of people (Acts 2:47), because they have obeyed Mm. (Heb. 5:8,9) Bible baptism puts one into the Bible church, the church of Christ. Denominational baptism puts one into a denomination.
7. Denominational Baptism Causes One To Wear The Wrong Name. When one is baptized with denominational baptism, he wears the name of that denomination. For example, one baptized into the Baptist church wears the name "Baptist"; or one baptized into the Presbyterian church wears the denominational name "Presbyterian." But the names are unknown to the Bible. No Christian was ever called in the New Testament by the name of Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, etc. The name "Christian" is the only name God ever gave the disciples of the Lord to wear. (See Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) The name "Christian" honors Christ. One cannot say "Christian" without saying "Christ."
May I urge you to consider this matter carefully. Denominational baptism is not the baptism Christ and the apostles taught and commanded. If you have been baptized into a denomination, you have not been baptized at all. I urge you to immediately forsake denominationalism, your denominational baptism and denominational name, and come to Christ and be baptized with the baptism he commanded that he might save you from your past sins and add you to his church. (Acts 2:47)
— Box 5794, Longview, Texas