Water baptism is in no way tied to the act of being born again. There is a teaching that Jesus stated that a person must be born of water and of the spirit or else you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. This is simply not true. Jesus was not referring to water baptism, but the act of being physically born and spiritually born later on – two completely separate events.

Another misconception is the act of water baptism washes away sins. This is a fallacy that is not biblical. The only thing capable of washing away sins is the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross.

When a person is baptized in water after salvation, they are baptized into Christ, but not into a church. Church membership has nothing to do with salvation and Jesus never said becoming a member of a church required baptism. There is not a single New Testament church that teaches such a thing. Church membership comes when a believer seeks out other Christians for fellowship and to be part of a corporate outreach that involves mission work and reaching out to the needy in the community.

Does water baptism keep a person from sinning? No, as humans we still have a sinful nature even after we have been redeemed. It is up to the Christian to make correct choices and say no to sin. The good news is that there is mercy and grace if we slip up. Restoration is as simple as seeking forgiveness and renouncing the sin. The blood of Jesus is applied and this is what washes away our sins.

Jesus never told His disciples to sprinkle babies with water and call it baptism. This is a teaching from the Roman Catholic Church and has no backing in the Bible. Is there a certain age before a child can accept Jesus and be baptized? No, that comes when a child is old enough to identify sin and respond the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Babies simply don’t have that capability. Not all humans mature at the same rate and a parent will know when their child is ready to be saved and subsequently baptized in water.

The Essenes taught that water baptism was a purification process. This is a heresy that Jesus never taught. Only the blood of Christ keeps us spiritually clean. Water baptism as an act of obedience is important. Let’s follow Jesus and do it right.

Print out the sermon outline and let's examine the Scriptures together Sunday morning at 9:00 AM PST.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor John S. Torell