Does it really make a difference if we require someone to be baptized, in order to become a member of a local church? Jesus Christ gave us the following instructions in his Great Commission – “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20 NIV) Are we teaching people to be disobedient if we do not require them to be baptized as part of church membership? If a local church is a reflection of the one true holy apostolic, universal church, should it consist solely of a group of baptized believers who observe baptism or a group of believers who observe baptism?
In the New Testament, we find many examples of people being baptized immediately after a profession of their faith. On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter responded to the crowd of people with the words, “’Repent and be baptized…’’ and those who accepted his message were baptized. (Acts 2:38, 41 NIV) After meeting with the Apostle Philip, an Ethiopian eunuch professed his faith in Jesus Christ and had Philip baptize him in water found along the road next to his chariot. (Acts 8:34-38) At a jail where the Apostle Paul and Silas were imprisoned, the jailor and his family were immediately baptized after receiving the message of salvation. (Acts 16:29-33) The question arises, although most people were immediately baptized after receiving the message of salvation, is baptism synonymous with church membership?
On the other side of the subject, the New Testament also includes many examples of salvation having more importance than baptism. The Apostle Paul made this point clear by saying, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel….” (I Corinthians 1:17 NIV) While Jesus Christ was nailed on the cross, a criminal on an adjacent cross asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom and Jesus responded by saying – “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43 NIV) Before being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ replied that baptism is a step of obedience – “’Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’” (Matthew 3:15 NIV) The Apostle Paul reiterated this point by saying our salvation comes though faith in Jesus Christ and not by any works of righteousness on our own part. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The topic of baptism, and whether or not to make it a condition for church membership, is sometimes perceived as a point of confusion among various churches. The reason many Christian leaders mandate baptism as part of membership is to ensure that people will be obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Of course, baptism should be faithfully taught as an important step of obedience for all believers. However, below are a few factors church leaders should consider in their decisions to teach baptism or mandate baptism as part of church membership.
1. When a local church makes baptism a condition for membership, it contradicts the definition of the one true apostolic, universal church – all who come to repentance and acknowledge Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9-10)
2. If a mandate for baptism comes across as contradicting the mission of the church, some people, especially strong-willed people, may end up leaving the church and possibly anything to do with organized religion – because they begin to doubt the credibility of the Word of God and/or the sincerity of the church leaders. As for people, from this same group, who may remain in their respective churches, many of these individuals may end up sitting in the church frustrated or find themselves in compromised situations.
3. Making baptism a condition for church membership often sets the precedence for people to be obedient to church leaders, rather than the Holy Spirit. This is why you often find churches full of “baptized believers” sitting around and doing what appears as nothing, because they are waiting for the next command from their church leaders…not the Holy Spirit. Some individuals may even find their spiritual act of obedience to the Holy Spirit quenched because they are manipulated or forced to do things in situations where they should be seeking God’s guidance. Thus, you have the Apostle Paul’s warning to the church of the Thessalonians, “Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 5:19 KJV)
When local churches take a natural act of obedience and turn it into a rule, they may inadvertently set the wrong example to their surrounding communities and country by teaching people to turn natural acts of good behavior into excessive laws. Obviously, there is a need for laws and order. The Apostle Paul makes this clear with the words, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1 NIV) However, we need to take caution that a denomination or religious affiliation does not attempt to place church “into a box,” since excessive rules may end up trumping the work of the Holy Spirit. As a result, many churches may end up being led by teachers and not necessarily leaders, because many of the potential natural leaders of the church end up leaving over their issues with organized religion…not necessarily God.
If churches want to make a real difference in making a positive impact in their communities, then they need to ensure that people are being taught how to obedient to the Holy Spirit. Since baptism is a step of obedience, and one of many steps of obedience, churches should use the baptismal ceremony as an opportunity for showing people how they should ultimately trust in the Holy Spirit and the Word of God for guidance in all areas of their personal lives. Once people come to the humble realization that they cannot do everything on their own and God is the one who can actually change people, then we will have a better understanding of Jesus Christ’s Great Commission – “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20 NIV)
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