The Two Purposes of Baptism

Why does a person get baptized? I think most of us know, there are many improper reasons
for doing so. Some are baptized as a “sacrament” or ritual taught by their church. They believe it’s
just part of the Christian practice, which demonstrates the grace of God in their life. Some are
baptized as part of a “confirmation” or spiritual maturation point. Others are baptized as a
demonstration to the world that they have been saved. Of course, some were baptized as babies,
and they have no idea why they were baptized, they don’t even remember it.
But, like other religious matters, when we sincerely turn to the Bible, the doubt and confusion
goes away. Two purposes for baptism clearly emerge, which each of us should consider seriously.
That is, in evaluating our own baptism, we need to sincerely ask ourselves whether these were the
purposes for which we were baptized.
The first purpose of baptism is to have our sins forgiven. “Now when they heard this,
they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what
shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,”
(Acts 2:37-38). This audience on the day of Pentecost had just heard the gospel of Jesus Christ,
and they believed it so strongly that they were convicted in their hearts, and called out for
instructions. Peter’s response was clear and unequivocal: Repent, and be baptized for/unto the
remission of your sins. The biblical purpose of baptism is not to show that one is saved, but in
order to be saved. It is not to show that one has already accepted Jesus Christ, but in order to accept
Him. It is obediently complying with our Lord’s instructions, “He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved,” (Mark 16:16).
Baptism is not an “outward sign of an inward grace,” it is an act of obedience through which
we personally receive God’s grace. It is the act through which we become a new creature.
“Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold,
they are become new,” (2 Corinthians 5:17). And that leads directly into the second purpose of
baptism…
The second purpose of baptism is to be added to the church of Christ. “For as many of
you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ,” (Galatians 3:27). Notice that baptism is the act
through which a person enters into Christ. It is not an act by which a person declares he is already
in Christ. Further, to be in the body of Christ is to be in his church, (see Ephesians 1:22-23). On
the day of Pentecost, when those penitent believers were baptized for the remission of their sins,
the Lord added them to His church. “They then that received his word were baptized: and there
were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls, (Acts 2:41). “And the Lord added to
their number day by day those who were being saved,” (Acts 2:47ESV). Baptism changes a person’s
spiritual location from outside to in Christ.
When a person is baptized into the body of Christ, he is buried in a watery grave just like
Jesus was buried in the earth. He is joined to Christ in death, so that he may rise from the grave
and live for Christ faithfully thereafter. “Having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were
also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you,
being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make
alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,” (Colossians 2:12-13). In baptism
we are imitating the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In order for a person to be scripturally baptized, he must understand these two purposes. He
must understand that in this act of baptism 1) his sins are being forgiven by the blood of Jesus
Christ, and 2) that the Lord is adding him to the church of Christ. If these purposes were not clearly
understood when you were “baptized” you should humbly and prayerfully re-examine what you
have done. This is an important subject, because your eternal salvation depends upon it. All of us
should urgently make sure we are in total and complete compliance with God’s word in this
important matter.