Articles
Unacceptable Baptism
Upon his arrival at Ephesus Paul found twelve disciples. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They replied that they had never even heard of the Holy Spirit. Further questioning revealed that they had been baptized into John’s baptism. Paul then explained that John’s baptism was temporary, looking forward to Him who was coming after him, that is, Jesus. When the twelve heard that, they were baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:1-5).
This incident teaches a vital point: not everything called “baptism” is acceptable to God. If it were, there would have been no need to “rebaptize” these men.
The Bible says there is one baptism (Ephesians 4:4).
■ It is the immersion in water of one who believes in Jesus and has repented of his sins (Acts 2:37-38; 8:36-38); it is therefore not for infants.
■ It is in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
■ Its purpose is to wash away sins (Acts 22:16).
■ It is a likeness of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the point at which we have access to the benefits of His death (Romans 6:3-4).
■ It results in one’s being saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21), being added to Christ and to His church (Galatians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 12:14).
What the disciples at Ephesus had done met only some of these criteria. It was therefore not enough. In reality, this was not a case of rebaptism: they had never been properly baptized in the first place.
Much of what is called “baptism” in our day also fails to meet the New Testament criteria. Some sprinkle; some baptize infants; and most baptize, not in order for one to be saved and added to Christ, but to show that one is already saved and already in Christ.
What about you? Have you been baptized as outlined in the Scriptures? If not, where does that leave you? “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).
