If baptism is a public statement of faith...?

Question

Why not just go to church? You have a big building there, public symbols identifying it, people watch you go in and come out, that's a public declaration, every week in fact. Why the extra requirement?

And please don't say, "because Jesus commanded it." You may as well be saying, "I don't know, we're just s'posed to."

Answer 1

First of all, baptism is NOT necessary for salvation. We are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. To add ANYTHING to the Gospel is to say that Jesus' death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation.

Though baptism may be administered in public, its not necessarily a public statement of faith. Then why do we need baptism?

Baptism is a ordinance of the New Testament , wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, signify and seal our in-grafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.

The Bible declares that Old Testament circumcision was what baptism is in the New Testament. Colossians 2:11, 12 states, "In whom ye were also circumcised in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism." Circumcision was to be an outward sign of the true circumcision of the heart. In other words, true circumcision was a spiritual thing. (Deuteronomy 10:16, Romans 2:28, 29)

Baptism is to be administered to any that are part of the visible church and profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; also the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.

Answer 2

Nope. And neither are these: Forgiveness of sins:Acts 2:38 · Washing away of sins:Acts 22:16 · Salvation: Mark 16:16;Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21 · Entering Christ:Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3 · Being born again:John 3:3-5 · Being clothed with Christ:Galatians 3:27 · Union with Christ's death:Romans 6:3 · Sharing his resurrection:Romans 4-5 · Receiving the Holy Spirit:Acts 2:38-39 · Entering Christ's Body:1 Corinthians 12:13

Answer 3

Reduction of baptism to an after-the-fact ordinance, or as some express it an "outward sign of an inward change", basically makes it superfluous -- and indeed practiced in the manner you describe, "because we're supposed to, but it has nothing to do with our salvation". Icing on the cake, in other words. Or perhaps less than even that.

However, if baptism is seen as regenerative -- that is, sacramentally remitting original sin and conferring sanctifying grace -- it is indeed quite significant. And the bulk of Scripture pertaining to baptism points to this. It is the way in which we are truly "born again" -- a term that is not synonymous with a free-will profession of belief. This is also required, but the grace by which we come to faith is received at baptism; the acceptance and public profession of belief in Christ as Lord and Savior is a voluntary act of the will in cooperation with that grace.

Answer 4

Yes, baptism may be viewed as a public declaration of faith.

It is more that that.
Baptism symbolizes being "washed" clean of sin.
Baptism symbolizes discipleship under the authority of Christ.
But it is much more than a symbolism.

John the Baptist baptized in the water of repentance - but he stated that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

So being baptized as a Christian is also acceptance and recognition of the Holy Spirit's protection and guidance.

Jesus stated that He would send the comforter and baptism is the one's self recognizing and following and trusting the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit reveals the teachings of Jesus who teaches of God Almighty.

Paul discusses this in...

Titus 3:
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Answer 5

Well Jesus did command it. In addition going to church is not a declaration of faith. You can go to church without making a commitment to God. A lot of people are just going through the motions. Getting baptised is telling all those present that you can be held accountable for your actions as a Christian.

Answer 6

What extra requirement? First you must be saved or baptism will do nothing or meaning I should say. Then we follow the example of what Jesus did, Plus Romans 6: 3-4 I believe it is talks about this.

Answer 7

Baptism is a public sign that you have now put your faith in Christ and are taking an open stand for Him.

It also is a sign that Jesus has now washed away all your sins if you have put your faith in Him as your Savior. Think of it: You have been cleansed of every sin you've ever committed, because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for you! You aren't saved because of anything you have done; you are saved only because you have put your faith and trust in Christ and what He has already done for you. The Bible says Christ "saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

Answer 8

Going to church is not a public statement of faith. There are lost souls inside the doors of the church.What I am saying is there are many people who go to church that have not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior and just because someone goes to church does not mean they are a christian.

Answer 9

I would say that baptism is a personal statement of faith not a public statement. It's between you and God not you and the general public. That's another reason why infant baptism is so unbiblical, it's more of a public display than and effectual re-birth.

Answer 10

baptism is a shin of Faith that is carried in your heart. Marten Luther said that when a child is Baptized that the devil is lashed out of them. That is why children cry or are made to cry derringer there Baptism. So the Devil will leave them in there tung. I do not know why they thought the Devil lived in a person's tong but they did so if the child cred then the Devil will leve.