By

Gary Ray Branscome

 
    For centuries a controversy has raged between those who view baptism as a source of forgiveness, and those who deny that baptism is for the remission of sins. This controversy centers on the issue of how we receive forgiveness, and it continues to exist because both sides explain away any Bible passages that contradict their own viewpoint. Therefore, I will endeavor to show why both sides in this controversy are wrong, while presenting a Biblical alternative.
 

    Those who view baptism as a source of forgiveness teach for doctrine certain conclusions deduced from statements such as, "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). The problem with their doctrine stems from the fact that some of those conclusions contradict the Bible. Furthermore, instead of rejecting those conclusions because they contradict God's Word, they reject God's Word by explaining it away whenever it does not agree with their tradition (Isaiah 8:20).

FOR EXAMPLE:
1- Since the Bible says that baptism is "for the remission of sins," they assume that the person being baptized will receive forgiveness ex opere operato [i.e. simply because the rite is performed] whether he has faith or not. That assumption is wrong because the Bible plainly tells us that we are "justified by faith," and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6, Romans 5:1).

2- They then assume that no one can get into heaven unless they have been baptized. That assumption is wrong because the Bible plainly tells us that whosoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved (John 3:16, Acts 16:31).

    Those who deny that baptism is for the remission of sins, try to correct the errors mentioned above without first learning what the relationship of baptism to forgiveness is. As a result, they simply wind up replacing one set of errors with another. They begin by denying any connection between baptism and forgiveness, and when passages that say otherwise are called to their attention, instead of rejecting their own opinions they reject God's Word by explaining it away (Isaiah 8:20).

FOR EXAMPLE:
1- They assume that since we receive forgiveness through faith in Christ, baptism has nothing to do with it. That assumption is wrong because the Bible plainly tells us that baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38, Luke 3:3).

2- They then assume that baptism is just a symbol that plays no part in our salvation. That assumption is wrong because the Bible says, "baptism doth also now save us" (1 Peter 3:21).

    Those who view baptism as a source of forgiveness, begin with the Bible passages that tell us that baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38, Luke 3:3). Since that is something that the Bible says, we know it is true. However, the conclusions they draw from that truth contradict God's Word, and that indicates that they have not understood the Bible correctly. Therefore, in order to have the correct doctrine, we must first acquire a biblical understanding of the relationship of baptism to forgiveness. Once we understand that relationship aright, our conclusions will be in accord with all that the Bible says (Isaiah 8:20).

    For example: If we assume that baptism conveys forgiveness in a mechanical way, we will wind up thinking that it can convey forgiveness without faith. However, if we view baptism as a means by which God gives us His promise of forgiveness in Christ, then the role of faith becomes obvious, for it is only through personal faith in Christ that we receive what is promised (Galatians 3:22, 2 Corinthians 1:20).

    Therefore, a Biblical view of baptism begins with the fact that Christ is the source of forgiveness (Acts 4:12). Consequently, even though God uses the ceremony of baptism to give us His promise of forgiveness, it is only through personal faith in Christ that we receive that forgiveness (Galatians 3:14,22, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 3:28 and 5:2). This view of baptism does not lead to false conclusions, but instead agrees with all that the Bible says.

    It agrees with those passages of Scripture which tell us that baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38, Luke 3:3, Acts 22:16).
    At the same time, it also agrees with all of the passages that tell us that God's grace comes to us through faith in Christ alone (Acts 4:12, Romans 3:28 and 5:2, Galatians 3:14, 22, Hebrews 11:6).

    Once we understand the relationship of baptism to forgiveness, everything that the Bible says about baptism seems to come alive. Understood in that light, baptism is God's promise of forgiveness in Christ. To be "baptized… in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins," is to be baptized believing that there is forgiveness in Christ (Acts 2:38). And when those who are baptized, go away from baptism believing that when they came to Christ He washed their sins away, that is faith in Christ.

    Likewise, when we apply that understanding to the words, "baptism doth also now save us," we can see that the baptism being spoken of is the "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins," and those who are saved are those who repent and come to baptism believing that there is forgiveness in Christ (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 1:4). Therefore, when Peter spoke of baptism, he was not talking only about the application of water, but about the whole process of repenting and looking to Christ for forgiveness.

    Those who see baptism as the source of forgiveness err, because they deny the need for faith in Christ. Those who deny that baptism is "for the remission of sins" err, because the Bible says otherwise. The biblical doctrine that I have just presented avoids those errors by realizing that even though God uses the ceremony of baptism to give us His promise of forgiveness, it is only through personal faith in Christ that we receive that forgiveness.

    Dr. Walter A. Maier expressed that doctrine this way, “Do not be misled by those who say that Baptism is not important. They contradict Christ. They put their own opinion above Scripture. Take Jesus at His word, and you will find that through Baptism — and I mean of course, not merely the performance of the ritual itself, but by your personal faith in Jesus and in His promise — the Holy Ghost unmistakably comes to you.” (The Power of Pentecost, 1943)