by John Moore

In a previous article, I discussed the fact that one can be baptized for the wrong reason and, consequently, remain outside of Christ – still in the midst of darkness and without hope. The example I used to illustrate this truth was found in Acts 19:1-5, where the apostle Paul encountered certain disciples that had been baptized into that which was never authorized. After being taught the truth, these men were then baptized "into the name of the Lord Jesus." Thus, it is vital to understand that each believer must be baptized into what God has specified through His Word.

In continuation of the topic, "Into What Were You Baptized?" the Bible specifies four areas that a person is baptized into when he or she responds to the truth of the Gospel. First, one is to be baptized into Christ. In Galatians 3:27, Paul states that "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." Why? Because "all spiritual blessings are in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). Paul further confirms in 2 Timothy 2:10 that salvation "is in Christ." Thus, to obtain the spiritual blessing of salvation, one must be in Jesus and, therefore, to be in Jesus one must be baptized.

Second, an individual who has faith in the Lord is to be "baptized into the name of Christ" (Acts 19:5). In Peter's courageous speech in defense of the Gospel, recorded in Acts 4:10-12, Peter said "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...there is salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved." Hence, it is easier to understand why Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 to "make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" and why Paul instructed the disciples of John the baptizer, in Acts 19:5, to be baptized "into the name of the Lord Jesus." Clearly, there is great power in the very name of Christ, and to be baptized into some other name or entity would be futile.

Third, an individual responding to the truth of the Gospel is to be immersed into the death of Christ. Paul, inspired of the Holy Spirit, declared in Romans 6:2-5 that baptism was a burial into the death of Jesus. In John 19:32-37, the Scriptures maintain that following Jesus' last breath on the cross, a Roman soldier pierced the side of Jesus "and forthwith came there out blood and water." Thus, in Jesus' death His blood was shed for our sins; for "without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb. 9:22). Therefore, to receive the benefits of Jesus' blood, one must be baptized into His death, for therein resides that blood.

Fourth, one who has faith in the Lord is to be baptized into the body. The Bible states, in 1 Corinthians 12:13, that "in one spirit were all baptized into one body." In Ephesians 1:22-23, you and I can read that this one body is Christ's body which is the church. In 2 Corinthians 12:20, it is subsequently noted and affirmed that there is just one body – hence, one church. Therefore, when one obeys truth, he or she becomes a part of the Lord's church and not a part of a denomination or human institution.

Finally, it is imperative for one to know into what he or she is being baptized. Every day, countless numbers of people are baptized into a denomination or some other human institution in response to human creeds and doctrines, believing they were saved before baptism. Paul said, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Col. 2:8-10) Therefore, persons that were deceived by the traditions of men, believing they were saved before their baptism, were obviously not baptized into Christ, into His name, into His death, and into His body. Thus, let us all have enough faith in the Lord to believe and do what He commanded in Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."