Faith, Repentance, and Baptism
In the great Commission to His disciples, Christ declared: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:15, 16).
According to this divine instruction, first comes believing, second, being baptized. It is clear that conversion precedes baptism. In other words, baptism is an appropriate rite only for repentant and converted believers.
Following the same line of reasoning, on the day of Pentecost, when people asked: “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized” (Act 2:37, 38). Then, repentance precedes baptism.
According to these clear principles, there is no place for baptizing children or any other unconverted person. This rite is correct only for those who acknowledge their sins, believe in Jesus, and repent. Then they can be baptized.
In His conversation with Nicodemus, Christ was very clear with the Jewish ruler: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3, 5, 6).
Following the words of Christ addressed to Nicodemus, we have:
1. Birth of the flesh,
2. Birth of the Spirit; and
3. Birth of the water.
“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12, 13).
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that when a child comes into this world, the baby comes as a pagan; however, when he (or she) is baptized, by the very act of baptism, that child becomes a Christian. They believe that the baptism itself has power to transform a pagan into a Christian. This false teaching has affected millions of people around the globe.
We do not believe that baptism in itself has power to transform anyone. We are transformed when we accept Christ as our Saviour and Lord, and submit ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit who transforms repentant sinners. Then we are born again, born of the Spirit. Now we are ready to be baptized—and not the other way around.
“Baptism does not make children Christians; neither does it convert them; it is but an outward sign, showing that they are sensible that they should be children of God by acknowledging that they believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and will henceforth live for Christ.”—Child Guidance, p. 499.
In this inspired quotation, we are told that “baptism is an outward sign” appropriate for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and will henceforth live for Christ.”
“Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, ‘The Lord Our Righteousness’ (Jeremiah 23:6).”—Counsels to the Church, p. 295.
“After faithful labor, if you are satisfied that your children understand the meaning of conversion and baptism, and are truly converted, let them be baptized.”—Ibid., p 297. [Emphasis supplied.]
“Princes and rabbis, soldiers, publicans, and peasants came to hear the prophet [John, the Baptist]. For a time the solemn warning from God alarmed them. Many were brought to repentance, and received baptism.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 105.
“It is the grace of Christ that gives life to the soul. Apart from Christ, baptism, like any other service, is a worthless form. “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life.”—Ibid., p. 181.
Perhaps, the explanation of Paul about circumcision will help us to understand the right role of baptism in Christian life.
“For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:25–29).
Let us paraphrase the above Scripture, changing the word “circumcision” to be understood as “baptism:”
“For baptism verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy baptism is made of no effect. Therefore, if the non-baptized keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his condition of being non-baptized be considered as if he were baptized? And shall not the non-baptized, if it fulfill the law, judge thee, who by the letter and baptism does transgress the law. For his is not a Christian, which is one outwardly; neither is baptism, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Christian, which is one inwardly, and baptism is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
Referring to the experience of Abraham, Paul declares: “And Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also” (Romans 4:11).
As the circumcision of Abraham was a sign of righteousness by faith that he had received before circumcision, baptism is a sign of righteousness by faith that the believer receives before being baptized.
Then, the regular steps in conversion are:
- Believing in Christ
- Repentance;
- Baptism.
“Repentance, faith, and baptism are the requisite steps in conversion.
“The souls under conviction of the truth need to be visited and labored for. Sinners need a special work done for them, that they may be converted and baptized.”—Evangelism, pp. 306, 307.
Preparation for baptism
“The preparation for baptism is a matter that needs to be carefully considered. The new converts to the truth should be faithfully instructed in the plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ The Word of the Lord is to be read and explained to them point by point.
“All who enter upon the new life should understand, prior to their baptism, that the Lord requires the undivided affections. . . . The practicing of the truth is essential. The bearing of fruit testifies to the character of the tree. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. The line of demarcation will be plain and distinct between those who love God and keep His commandments and those who love Him not and disregard His precepts. There is need of a thorough conversion to the truth.”—Ibid., p. 308.
“The test of discipleship is not brought to bear as closely as it should be upon those who present themselves for baptism. It should be understood whether they are simply taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, or whether they are taking their stand on the Lord’s side, to come out from the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. Before baptism, there should be a thorough inquiry as to the experience of the candidates. Let this inquiry be made, not in a cold and distant way, but kindly, tenderly, pointing the new converts to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Bring the requirements of the gospel to bear upon the candidates for baptism.
“One of the points upon which those newly come to the faith will need instruction is the subject of dress. Let the new converts be faithfully dealt with. Are they vain in dress? Do they cherish pride of heart? The idolatry of dress is a moral disease. It must not be taken over into the new life. In most cases, submission to the gospel requirements will demand a decided change in the dress.”—Ibid., pp. 311, 312.
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3, 4).
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15).
Are we really new creatures? If we are new creatures, we will live for Christ and not for ourselves. If not, let us go today to Christ, repent, receive from Him a new life, and be baptized (or rebaptized).
“The Lord calls for a decided reformation. And when a soul is truly reconverted, let him be rebaptized. Let him renew his covenant with God, and God will renew His covenant with him. . . . Reconversion must take place among the members, that as God’s witnesses they may testify to the authoritative power of the truth that sanctifies the soul.”—Ibid., p. 375.
May the Lord give grace to be His children, born of the Spirit and of the water!
Your Brother in Christ, Davi Paes Silva.