Baptism: God’s Way vs. Man’s Tradition
A Teaching Outline
I. The Biblical Pattern (NT Model)
A. Candidates for Baptism
Acts 2:38, 41 — Repentance and faith precede baptism.
Acts 8:12, 36–38 — Only those who believe the gospel are baptized.
Acts 18:8 — Hearing the Word → Belief → Baptism.
B. Purpose of Baptism
Sign and testimony of union with Christ (Rom. 6:3–4; Col. 2:12).
Outward profession of an inward reality (1 Pet. 3:21—“as an appeal to God for a good conscience”).
C. Timing of Baptism
Always after belief; no biblical examples of pre-faith baptism.
D. Summary Truth:
Baptism is not the cause of salvation—it is the public declaration of salvation already received by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8–9).
II. The Early Drift (2nd–3rd Century)
A. Fear of Infant Death
High mortality rates lead parents to seek a ritual guarantee of salvation.
Baptism begins to be given to dying infants—seen as an “emergency” exception.
B. Early Misinterpretations
John 3:5 (“born of water and the Spirit”) wrongly interpreted as baptismal regeneration.
Acts 2:38 taken to mean baptism itself grants forgiveness apart from faith.
C. Tradition Elevated Over Scripture
Origen claims infant baptism is “apostolic tradition” (no NT evidence).
Cyprian’s council (AD 253) rules baptism should not be delayed even to the 8th day.
III. The Full Corruption (4th Century Onward)
A. Augustine’s System
Baptism necessary for removing original sin.
Unbaptized infants are condemned.
B. Institutionalization in the Medieval Church
Baptism is seen as regenerating ex opere operato (“by the work worked”).
Faith is no longer required before baptism.
Catechesis happens after baptism, not before.
IV. The Reformation Response
A. Rejecting Roman Catholicism’s View
Reformers reject baptismal regeneration as a mechanical grace.
However, Lutherans and Reformed paedobaptists retain infant baptism as a covenant sign.
B. Baptist & Anabaptist Return to NT Model
Only baptize professing believers.
Baptism follows personal repentance and faith.
V. The Truth to Defend Today
One Gospel for All: Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—not through ritual acts (Eph. 2:8–9; Titus 3:5).
One Baptism Pattern: Hear the gospel → Believe → Be baptized (Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12).
One Call to Guard: Reject any practice that confuses or replaces God’s appointed order.
Closing Exhortation:
We must be people of sola Scriptura—holding fast to the apostolic teaching and refusing to add traditions that comfort the flesh but contradict the Word. The NT gives us God’s mind on baptism—our duty is not to improve it, but to obey it.
(The above article was AI generated.)