I recently came across an article about a sister who had just embraced the Gospel but was denied baptism by her church simply because she had missed a few baptismal preparation classes. This really struck a chord with me. Who gets to decide whether someone can be baptized? Does a church have the authority to determine who is "qualified" for baptism? We need to clarify a few concepts. While it is true that those who believe and are baptized will be saved. Does the absence of a formal baptism mean one cannot be saved? Certainly not! Consider the thief who entered Paradise alongside Jesus—he was never baptized, yet Jesus promised him salvation; he was undoubtedly saved! Baptism is analogous to "circumcision"; the Bible teaches us that circumcision of the heart is far more significant than physical circumcision. In the past, the Israelites were set apart through physical circumcision, and for Abraham, physical circumcision served as a "sign of his faith." If a person believes and is willing to set themselves apart for God, they have undergone a "circumcision of the heart"—in effect, they have been "baptized" in their heart. Baptism is more than just a ritual; it requires a complete, inward baptism of the heart. If someone undergoes a physical baptism but has not been baptized in their heart—meaning they are unwilling to set themselves apart for God—that baptism will not lead to salvation. Conversely, like the thief beside Jesus, anyone who is willing to believe in Him can be saved, even without undergoing a formal, outward baptism.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19 NIV)— Many churches require believers to complete specific courses before they can be baptized. Often, these churches place a heavy emphasis on the "ritual" itself, mandating that candidates adhere to a pastor’s schedule to qualify for the ordinance. In reality, the authority Jesus granted His disciples is simply to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We must shift our perspective! In the house of God, the most important thing is the fear of God. If someone is willing to be baptized, we have no right to stop them! When Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, how many "baptismal preparation classes" did the eunuch attend? What is the purpose of such classes? They are intended to help the newly baptized understand: 1. Why be baptized? 2. Who is our God? 3. How does our life change after baptism? The true purpose of baptismal preparation is to help new believers come to know God better! Christianity is not a faith that seeks to control or coerce people; rather, it is a faith that connects our lives to God. Only when we truly know God can we live out the life of Christ! If we spend our entire lives merely going through the motions, we will never be able to live out the life of Jesus.
We are called to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations! While we have no authority to turn away those who genuinely desire baptism, we are certainly entitled to reject those who seek nothing more than a "baptism certificate." Sadly, many churches and pastors have begun "selling" these certificates! They use baptismal classes and certificates as tools to exert control over people. Such concepts and teachings do nothing to foster a revival of Christianity; they certainly do not lead to salvation, nor do they help believers build a meaningful relationship with God. We must hold a correct perspective: baptismal classes, the specific method of baptism, or the person performing the baptism—none of these have any bearing on our spiritual growth. The true basis for our salvation is justification by faith! A person’s complete trust in God and their wholehearted commitment to follow Jesus—that is the true evidence of salvation! Let us, therefore, move beyond being shackled by such "formalism" and instead place our focus where it truly belongs: on faith of the heart!
