By Gary Ray Branscome
For a valid baptism to take place there must be an
application of water. However, because baptism consists of far more than water,
that water must also be applied in accord with the Word of God; which says, “Go,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).
Now if the President were to authorize me to do something
in his name, he would be authorizing me to do it as his representative, with
his authority backing me. Therefore, to baptize “in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” not only involves using those words, but
using them as God’s representative, with His authority behind them. For that
reason, when we baptize, God is baptizing through us. We are only His representatives.
Furthermore, because we are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, a valid baptism can only be performed by someone who believes in the
triune God.
In theology, any group that is not worshipping the God of
the Bible is designated a cult. That includes groups that deny the deity of
Christ, worship a god that they describe as an exalted man, or in any way
falsify what God has revealed about Himself. And, because they are not
worshipping the God of the Bible, we do not regard any baptism performed by
them as valid.
The Promise of Baptism
When baptism is carried out as God intended, it is
more than just water, it is a ceremonial proclamation of the gospel. And, just as the gospel conveys God’s promise of forgiveness in Christ,
baptism carries with it God’s promise of forgiveness in Christ. However,
in order to avoid being misunderstood, let me make it clear that baptism
is not a requirement for receiving forgiveness. If you repent, God does
not withhold His forgiveness until you are baptized. And, forgiveness does not
come to you through the performance of
the ritual, but through your personal faith in Jesus and in His promise. As it
is written, “We… receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith” (Galatians
“If the Word that is
preached will not benefit a person unless he believes it, neither will being
baptized and taking Communion benefit anyone without faith… Let me offer you a
few passages that treat, in particular, of the Sacraments. Mark 16, 16 the Lord
says: “He that BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved.” He does not say: “He
that is baptized and believeth,” but the reverse. Faith is the primary
necessity; Baptism is something to which faith holds. Moreover, the Lord
continues: But he that believeth not shall
be damned.” This shows that even if a person could not have Baptism
administered to himself, he would be saved, as long as
he believed.
Acts
8,36. 37 we read: And
as they went on their way, they came unto a certain
water; and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be
baptized? And Philip said, IF THOU BELIEVEST WITH
ALL THINE HEART, THOU MAYEST.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” The
only thing that Philip required was faith, as if he had said to the eunuch: “If
you do not believe, being baptized will not benefit
you at all.” At our baptism it is not we that are performing a work, but God.
Gal. 3, 26. 27 Paul writes: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
This text shows that Christ is put on in Baptism only if a person believes. The
current interpretation is that any one that is baptized has put on Christ;
however, that is not what the apostle says, but: “As many of you,” namely, of
you who are “the children of God by faith.” Such people, indeed, put on Christ
in Baptism. An unbeliever who receives Baptism does not put on Christ, but
keeps on the spotted garment of his sinful flesh.” (C.F.W.
Walther, “Law and Gospel,” pages
351-353)
The Importance of
Sticking to God’s Word
There are any number of sects that
try to assert their own authority by changing baptism in some way. One such
sect seizes on the passages that speak of baptizing “in the name of Jesus,” and
argues that when the Apostles actually baptized they did it in the name of
Jesus, not in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. However, they are
wrong because in the examples they cite no one is actually being baptized. When
Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of sins,” he was not performing a baptism, but
holding up the promise of forgiveness in Christ (Acts