The subject of baptism is one of the most misunderstood and controversial topics in the Bible. In this lesson, I want to study with you four common misunderstandings about baptism.

Baptism is NOT important.

  • Many believe that baptism is not essential to a person’s salvation. They believe that a person is saved by “faith alone” and being baptized is not an urgent matter.
  • This line of thinking does not line up with what the gospel actually teaches.
    • Baptism is essential to becoming a disciple (Matthew 28:18-20).
    • Baptism is essential to being saved (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 3:21).
    • Baptism is essential to receiving forgiveness of sins.
    • Baptism is essential to having one’s sins washed away (Acts 22:16).
    • Baptism is essential to getting into Christ and putting on Christ (Galatians 3:27).
    • It is through baptism that one is spiritually circumcised (Colossians 2:11-13).

Baptism is both immersion and sprinkling.

  • Bible baptism is immersion! It never involved sprinkling in New Testament times.
  • Bible baptism is when a person is taken under water and then comes up out of the water.
    • Paul refers to baptism as a “burial” (Romans 6:1-4).
    • Jesus was immersed in water (Matthew 3:16).
    • The Ethiopian eunuch was also immersed in water (Acts 8:36-39).

Baptism is the most important step in God’s plan of salvation.

  • If we are not careful, we can focus on baptism so much that we neglect to emphasize to people the other important steps in God’s plan of salvation.
  • There are things God expects us to do that are just as important as baptism.
    • We must believe the gospel (Mark 16:15-16).
    • We confess the name of Jesus (Acts 8:37).
    • We must repent of our sins (Acts 2:38). In the case of those in unlawful marriages, since God’s law for marriage is binding upon everyone, repentance requires that they come out of those relationships (Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Baptism washes away sins, not marriage covenants (Acts 22:16).
    • We must be faithful to Jesus after baptism (Acts 2:42).

Baptism will condemn others to hell.

  • Since every person will be judged by God for his or her own actions, our actions cannot affect those who have died (2 Corinthians 5:10).
  • If we have a relative that has died lost, do we think he or she wants us to be lost too (Luke 16:19-28)?
    • This misdirected fear can actually lead to generations of family members being lost!
    • We need to focus on obeying the Lord’s will concerning baptism, and let Him deal with those who have already died.

Conclusion: Have you submitted to the Lord’s will concerning baptism?