Frequently Asked Questions and Common Misconceptions about Baptism

   (c)2005 Rev. Robert Zagore, Trinity Lutheran Church, Traverse City, MI. You may copy this freely - if you promise to tell where you got it and promise not to misrepresent  

   what is written here.

  The following are actual questions submitted to Trinity Concerning Baptism, if you have a question to ask concerning   

   baptism, please submit it here.

  Where did Christian Baptism start? Jesus commanded baptism as it is currently practiced (Matthew 28:18-20). A similar form of

   baptism was practiced by John the Baptist and Jesus and his disciples in the three years prior to the institution we currently follow

  (John 4:1-3). Christian baptism was foreshadowed in the Old Testament by several forms of ceremonial washing (for example,

   Numbers 19:14-19).

  What is the Benefit of Baptism?  Baptism gives the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil and grants eternal

   salvation to all who believe (1 Peter 3:20-21, Mark 16:16), just as the words and promises of God declare (Titus 3:3-7). It is God's

   promise that the benefits of Christ's death and resurrection are given to us individually (Romans 6:3-4). . Those who are baptized are

   intimately connected with the persons of the Trinity: the Father (Galatians 3:26-27), the Son (Colossians 2:11-12) and the Holy Spirit

   (Acts 2:38). Baptism also gives us a connection to Christ's people, the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

  How can we be saved by “faith alone” if we must do the work of baptism? How does this work?    It is a     

   misunderstanding to say that Baptism is “our work”. Looking through the gifts of Baptism, which of these do we bring about by our own

   work? Answer – none! Baptism is something God does for us. That’s why no one in the Bible ever baptizes themselves. We don’t get

   baptized for God. It is His institution, His work and His gifts. We are recipients. Baptism it is not a good work, it is the means by which

   His grace is bestowed. The Bible itself makes the connection between baptism and our salvation by grace (Titus 3:3-7).

  Is it true that once you are baptized, you are “set for life,” nothing further is required of you?  In a manner of

   speaking, you are set for life when you’re baptized because the Lord declares you are His child and gives you the gift of the Holy Spirit

  (Acts 2:38-39). This is a promise He will never take back. It’s true that some people have rejected the gift of eternal life and all that

   baptism bestows. What a tragedy. But God will never break His promise. We don’t know at what point any individual has gone too far

  and the Lord breaks ties with them. We do know however, that it is not wise, safe or beneficial to reject any of the Lord’s gifts.

 Trinity uses the "sprinkle" or “pouring” method of baptism. The people of the Bible, including Jesus, were baptized using the immersion method. Why doesn't our church follow the way Jesus was baptized by John?  There is no clear evidence that baptism in the New Testament was ever done by immersion. Taken as a whole the evidence suggests it was not. In some cases the term "baptize" is synonymous with "wash" (Tit. 3:5-6; see also Heb. 9:19; Eph. 5:26, Acts 22:16, and Mark 7:1-4"). 

Five thousand were baptized on Pentecost in Jerusalem, where no river exists and no mention is made of other large quantities of water that could or may have been used. In fact, the shortage of water in many parts of the ancient world would have precluded baptism by immersion. As the Supplementary Volume of The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible correctly notes, "It is unlikely that in Jerusalem, Samaria, Damascus, Philippi, Corinth, Rome, or Asia Minor enough water was always available for a full bath" (87).

     Outside of the Bible, but still very early in Christian history, methods other than immersion were used and allowed. The Didache (written about AD 100) says to "pour water three times on the head" (7:3). No mention is

   made of immersion.  Lutherans have therefore held that the manner of Baptism (that is, immersion, pouring, sprinkling, etc.) does not

   determine whether a Baptism is valid. The Word and promise of God connected with baptism allow it to do such great things.

  Should someone be “re-baptized”?

   The Bible says, “There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one

   baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).  Baptism is that one-time wonderful act

   of God in our lives by which He incorporates us into the life and death of Jesus Christ. It has life-long and ongoing blessings, but is

   performed only once on a person.  Our Lord said, "Go and baptize," not "Go and baptize the same person numerous times."  And

   although it is administered only once, baptism is to be used by Christians throughout their whole life.  Nowhere do the Apostles call on

   Christians to repeat baptisms; however, they frequently recall to their minds the baptism once received (1 Cor.1:13; 6:11; 12:13;

   Rom. 6:3ff; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:21).

   Intentionally disregarding the gift of baptism is a sin against the Second Commandment. We understand that the greatest and most

   profane misuse of God's holy name is when we tolerate, support and actively teach false doctrine.  To receive baptism in the context of

   a church that teaches in a manner contrary to God's Word would be participating in this false teaching, and this Christians never wish to

   do (Rom. 16:17).

   The Early Church Didn’t Baptize Children, Why Do We?

    It is frequently claimed by unlearned members of other church bodies that the early church did not baptize babies. It’s simply not true.

    Polycarp (69-155 AD), a disciple of the Apostle John, was baptized as an infant. Justin Martyr (100-166 AD) of the next generation,

    states in his Dialog with Trypho that baptism is the circumcision of the New Testament." (Circumcision was done to infant children).

    Irenaeus (130-200 AD) writes in Against Heresies II 22:4 that Jesus came to save everyone “born of water and the Spirit” (baptism)  –

    “[Jesus saves everyone], who through Him are born again to God -- infants and children, boys and youth, and old men."

    At the Council of Carthage in 254 AD, the gathered theologians stated:  "We ought not to hinder any person from Baptism and the

    grace of God... especially infants... those newly born." Origen (185-254 AD) wrote in his Commentary on Romans 5:9: "For this also it

    was that the Church had from the Apostles a tradition to give baptism even to infants." Origen also wrote in his Homily on Luke 14:

    "Infants are to be baptized for the remission of sins." Cyprian's (215-258 AD) reply to a bishop who wrote to him regarding the baptism

    of infants stated: "Should we wait until the 8th day as did the Jews in the circumcision? No, the child should be baptized as soon as it is

    born."   Actually, the historical facts is that it’s difficult to find any evidence that (outside the cults) anyone ever denied infants

    baptism because of their age.

   Where Did the Practice of Baptismal Sponsors Come From?

    The word sponsor comes from a Latin word: spondere, to promise. Early Christians during persecution required sponsors for new

    members out of fear about spies. But they also were to be the persons responsible for helping the newly baptized Christian learn the

    faith.  In addition, sponsors joined their candidates during the days of baptismal preparation. This walking together included praying

    for the candidates, instructing candidates in the faith, helping candidates understand what they ,were turning from and toward, and

    preparing candidates for Christian living in the world. The sponsor has a vital role in helping the candidate and family accept their full

    participation in the Christian community and the world. With God’s help, the relationship between the newly baptized and the sponsor is

    enduring and fruitful.

   Why do we make promises for the children when they are baptized?

    We are not making promises “for the children” we are testifying about the faith is into which the child is baptized. The Apostles’ Creed

    that we confess during baptisms has been used for this purpose since about AD 150. When we say the Creed during baptism, we are

    making the point that this baptism is being done in accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice of the Christian church

    that spans the world and the world’s generations.

    However, please note that the Bible records a large number of incidents in which a parent makes a promise on behalf of a child or where

    a parent’s faith brings the Lord’s grace, blessing and healing on their children and even to children born generations after their death

    (for example: Genesis 18:17-19; 2 Chronicles 31:16-18; 1 Samuel 1:21-28; Matthew 15:28; Mark 9:14-29). It is not improper to bring

    children to the Lord or make promises to Him on their behalf.

 Some Commonly raised Objections to Infant Baptism

1. Children cannot be baptized because they cannot believe. Not true:

2. Children do not love Jesus. They should wait until they do to be baptized. They should not wait, 1 John 4:19, “We love because [God] first loved us.” If God does not act first, none of us can love Him.
3. You need to repent before you’re baptized. This is what John the Baptist and the apostles asked of adults, who had already heard, understood and believed God’s Word. The Holy Spirit had already worked on them through the Word. But “repent and be baptized” is not a necessary sequence. For example, in Matthew 28:19-20, baptism comes first.
4. Baptism is something you do for God. Compare this to the list of “gifts of God” the Scripture talks about. Are any of these things you do for God? In baptism, God gives His gifts to us, not the other way around.
5. Jesus was not baptized until He was 30 years old. Why should we baptize children? Baptism wasn’t instituted until Jesus was 30 years old (Luke 3:1-3). As soon as it was instituted, Jesus was among the first to be baptized.
6. The Bible doesn’t mention baptizing children. Not true, Acts 2:38-39 tells us that the promise of baptism is for our children. Beside that we have the every reason to believe that children were included in those baptized in Acts 16:14-15; Acts16:33; Acts 18:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:16.
7. You can’t have parents bring children to the font on the basis of the parent’s faith.
   1. In the New Testament a woman’s daughter is healed on the basis of the mother’s faith Matthew 15:21-28.
   2. Baptism creates faith and gives gifts - it does not require faith or gifts to be already present. Jesus often works this way. In Matthew 15:32-39, Jesus feeds 5000 and not even the disciples believe it will happen. In Luke 8:40-56, Jesus raises a dead girl even though the parents and friends disbelieve (note how this sounds like us in Romans 6 and our connection with baptism).
8. God saves people without baptism all the time.  You have no way of knowing that &  that contradicts Jesus, John 3:5.
9. The thief on the cross was saved without baptism. How do you know he wasn’t baptized? Besides, Jesus gave the thief on the cross a promise that he would be saved. This is the same promise He gives to us through baptism.
10. What about baptized people who fall away from the faith? Our Lord tells us that people who legitimately received the Holy Spirit and believed can still fall away (Hebrews 6:4; Mark 4:1-20). This is not a commentary on whether baptism can save, but on how dangerous the sinful nature of man is.

Questions to ask someone who HONESTLY questions infant baptism

1. Can children be saved? If so, how?  John 3:5-6

2. If children are not to be baptized, why is the promise of baptism for children?

3. Does the Bible ever say not to baptize children? How does Jesus react when people try to exclude children?  Matthew 19:13-14

4. The Apostle Paul tells us that Baptism replaces circumcision, which was done when a child was eight days old. Why would that exclude children? Colossians 2:9-16

5. On what basis do you exclude children from the command to baptize all nations? Is there ever any other place in the Scripture where the children are excluded from this inclusive term (answer: no)?  Matthew 28:19-20

6. Is there any greater sign that we’re saved apart from works than that God saves us when we can do no real works (when we’re infants)?  Romans 3:28, For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

7. If God does not wish us to baptize children, why does He bless the results? Logical Answer