Mythbusting Baptisms

Mythbusting Series #1: Baptisms

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John ... As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a likve and alighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matthew 3:13-17

"Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."  Luke 23:42-43

As some of my friends know, years ago I went through a "mythbusting" thing on Facebook, related to my pastor at the time (in his defense). I'm picking it up again, but this time, I'm going after myths about Christianity. I have a whole list of myths or misconceptions that I want to address. This week, I am knocking down the myths around baptisms and baptizing. 

Before you start reading, it's important to remember that this is not a personal attack on any one person or any one religion. You may see a belief you have either upheld or discounted. Try not to take it personally, and try to keep an open mind. I'm simply exploring God's Word and the Truth it reveals. Here we go!

There are questions surrounding the subject of baptism, and some of the most common ones are these:
- Do babies have to be baptized?
- Why baptize adults instead of babies?
- If you were baptized as a baby, can you be (or do you have to be) baptized as an adult?
- Do I have to be baptized?

There are very simple answers to these questions: No, Jesus, no, no.

I have been baptized--twice, actually. Once when I was a baby (water sprinkled on the head), and then again as an adult in 2009 (full immersion in a lake). History lesson: the Methodists baptize babies because it was the one of the few things they kept when separating from the Catholic church (either because of tradition or out of fear, I'm not sure which). Am I twice saved? Nope. Why is that?

This is the answer for that, and the first question above: Because babies and children, when they die, are Heaven-bound, whether they were baptized or not. Jesus loved children. Consider this:

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:15-17

Why would Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of man, break it down as simply as that if children were not Heaven-bound? He wouldn't. He was speaking to adults. So, if you look at that verse and take it at face value, children enter the kingdom of Heaven--no water required.

Now we will answer the other three questions: Why baptize adults instead of babies; if you were baptized as a baby, do you have to do it again; and, do I have to be baptized?

We baptize adults for a few reasons: one, because Jesus was an adult when he was baptized; two, it is an outward sign of an inward commitment; three, it is symbolic of being washed of your sins and born anew. (This is not an inclusive list, just a few samplings.) In fact, the only mention of baptism in the bible is when adults are baptized--the specific one that I want to mention is Jesus's baptism. Here's the story for it, if you aren't familiar:
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, stating, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus was baptized, and think about the comment he made to John right before: "It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." What even does that mean? Jesus is already righteous. He's already pure, sin free, perfect, etc. So how does His getting baptized fulfill "all righteousness?" 

It's very simple, really--just as He took the punishment for our sin, just as He took our death on the cross, he takes our baptism for us. It's the only "by proxy" baptism recognized in the bible, and the only one that counts.

See, you don't actually have to be baptized. Baptism is an outward symbol of an internal commitment. It is symbolic of being washed clean of your sins and arising as a new person. Do you stay pure after your baptism? NOPE. The only person that did was Jesus. And what of all the people around the world that have been saved, without being baptized? In 2010, I was on a mission trip to Peru with my old church. We prayed with many people who accepted Christ as their savior and into their hearts and lives, and we didn't baptize any of them. Were they still saved, still righteous in God's eyes? Absolutely. 

However, you should be baptized. Why? Because you will be baptized in front of a group of people (your church) that will see your baptism and will come around you in love and support. They will keep you in check. They will help keep you on your path, they will lift you up, and the most interesting friendships can be formed. 

More importantly, you should be baptized for yourself, not for others. 

Being baptized is a powerful event, especially for those of us who feel that just saying the words that give salvation isn't enough. Have you ever struggled, as I have, with whether or not you are truly saved? Whether or not God heard you when you admitted you were a sinner, in need of a savior, and that you accepted Jesus as His Son and allowed Him into your heart? Whether or not the Spirit really lives in you, and whether you really will go to Heaven when you die? Getting baptized is an amazing way to solidify God's resounding "YES. You are saved. You are loved. You are mine."

And now, the touchy part: there is a sect out there that baptizes by proxy. There is a person (or people) that get(s) baptized multiple times in order to allow the unbaptized souls in purgatory to go to Heaven. This is absolutely, positively, without question, NOT a thing. Not only is purgatory not real (to be discussed in a separate blog post), only one person can be a proxy for our sins, for our righteousness, for our purity, and that person is Jesus Christ. No one can take His place and do that for us, because it's been done. Additionally, you have to receive Christ before you die. You can not be prayed or post-baptized into Heaven. Harsh? Yes. But you're given your whole life to see His glory and light and grace. That is your chance. So take it! Because He loves you and believes in you, even if you don't reciprocate.

Also--and don't miss this--to put the entire issue to bed, there is one rule for getting into heaven: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6  No baptism. No good deeds. No following of the law. Nothing except His salvation gets you through those proverbial pearly gates.

So, to recap, two myths:
- You have to baptize babies or they will go to Hell/Purgatory: BUSTED
- You have to be baptized to be saved: BUSTED (although it's beneficial to you to do it!)


Accepting Christ is the only way to get into Heaven. You simply have to admit you're a sinner, that you need to let go of the perceived control you have over your life, that you need Him and His salvation, and invite him into your heart. And God wants nothing more than this, to see you redeemed.