“Wet For A Reason”

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

      Does it matter how we are baptized and who baptizes us as long as it’s in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?  I'm getting baptized at my friend's church which is Calvinistic; I'm more of non-denominational Bible-believer, but anyway, they're going to baptize me in a swimming pool.  Should I go through with it?

Sincerely,
Diving In

Dear Diving In,

Why you are baptized is one of the most important elements of baptism, and a Calvinistic church will not baptize you for the right reasons.  People are baptized all the time without being saved!  The word ‘baptism’ comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ which means ‘immersion’.  The word ‘baptism’ is the same word that Greeks used when a ship sank to the bottom of the ocean or when someone dove to the bottom of a swimming pool.  In the most technical sense, people are baptized when they take baths, go swimming, etc.  Taking a bath will baptize you, but it definitely won’t save you.

The Bible teaches that baptism saves you.  According to the Bible, baptism is a requirement of salvation.  Peter said so in Acts 2:38 when he preached the first sermon after Christ’s ascension.  In 1 Pet 3:21, it specifically says that baptism saves us.  Mk 16:16 says that baptism is as integral a part of salvation as belief, and Paul tells us in Rom 6:4-5 that baptism buries us with Christ, so we might be born again without our sins.  The Bible clearly teaches baptism as a prerequisite for salvation.

Now, here is your problem.  Calvinism teaches that baptism is “an outward showing of an inward grace.”  That means that Calvinistic churches do baptize people, but they believe it is only for show and that you were already saved before you were baptized.  Therefore, the reason they baptize people is completely wrong.  If you are baptized for the wrong reasons, you just get wet – not saved.  We would be happy to get you in touch with a congregation that isn’t tied to denominations, teaches the whole Bible (Rev 22:18-19), avoids manmade traditions (Matt 15:9), and will baptize you for the right reasons.  Just e-mail us (askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org) with the general area of the country you live in and we will happily put you in contact with a faithful church.  You may also find the article “Calvin And Sobs” on Calvinism of use to better understand this manmade religion.

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