Before a person is baptized, they need to know for sure what they are doing and why, so here are 5 essential questions to ask before someone is baptized.
Baptism Doesn’t Save
[1]Many people can recount their baptism as if that is what saved them or that was when they were saved, but that’s not biblical. A person is saved apart from works (Eph 2:8-9), however a saved person should be baptized (Matt 28:18-29). They should be baptized, but not in order to save them, but they should be baptized because Jesus commanded it of believers. Clearly, Jesus was not saying, Jesus + Baptism = Salvation. So the first question should address whether they understand that while their baptism is very special and it’s sort of like their “Second Birthday” or “Born Again Birthday,” it does not seal their salvation. That exclusively belongs to those who trust in Jesus Christ. They believe that He lived a sinless life, suffered and dead, and was raised on the third day. Baptism cannot and has never saved anyone, however, the saved should be baptized to obey Christ.
1. Do you understand that baptism alone cannot save you?
If we have been brought to repentance and faith in Christ, then you had to come to understand that you (and I) were sinners and sinners standing before a holy God deserve eternal judgment. But God, through Christ, extends His mercy upon sinners (Rom 5:1, 8:1). Mercy is that which we do deserve (His wrath) but don’t receive because of grace, which we don’t deserve. Grace and mercy meet at the cross.
Next fact they should know is to publically acknowledge that they, like we, are a sinner and in need of the Savior. In the First Century Church, a public profession of faith was always made before family, friends and acquaintances, and many were present at their very public baptism.
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2. Do you understand and publically acknowledge today that you are a sinner, and like all sinners, deserving the wrath of God, meaning eternal punishment?
God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). When Jesus introduced the gospel, He told the people to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Notice that they need to repent and not just believe. True repentance is visible to the person and to others. Repentance can be seen as the fruit of conversion, or at least a by-product of it. When a person is truly saved, they repent, but then like all of us, they sin again and again, but they keep on striving to overcome sin. To simply believe with no repentance is to be qualified to be a demon, for even they believe (James 2:19). The demons believe, but they’ve never repented, nor will they ever do so.
3. Do you fully understand that you are commanded to repent and believe (Mark 1:15), and now declare publically that you have repented of your sins?
Grace alone is the way we are saved (Eph 2:8-9). If there was anything we had to do, then we could boast about it (and believe me, we would!), but dead men can’t save themselves and every one of us were dead in our sins (Eph 2:1-5). It would be like Jesus telling Lazarus, “Okay Lazarus, move a little toe or blink an eye and I’ll do the rest.” No! Lazarus was dead and couldn’t even hear Jesus unless Jesus had intervened and gave him ears to hear. Dead men can chose nothing but to decay! That’s the same situation with all mankind who are brought to belief (John6:44). God must make the first move (1 John 4:19).
4. Do you understand and believe that we are saved by God’s grace alone and nothing that we do (Eph 2:8-9)?
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Finally, we talk not about the “plan of salvation” but the “Man of Salvation,” and that is Jesus Christ. The person being baptized must understand that there is simply no other way to be saved than through trusting in Jesus Christ. It is never do this or do that, but with Christ, “Done!” This gives God all the glory and that’s as it should be. There is simply no other way that we can be saved under heaven (Acts 4:12; 16:30-31). It is faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone….alone and apart from anything we’ve done or could ever do. And aren’t we glad that it’s by grace alone because no one could ever merit heaven, nor escape the eternal wrath of God in hell by doing something. Just before baptism, they must publically state that Jesus Christ alone is how they are saved and by trusting in Him alone for our salvation.
5. Do you now publically acknowledge that you have put your trust in Jesus Christ, Who alone is the only way we can be saved (Acts 4:12)?
Before Baptism
Before baptisms, make sure everyone is safe and secure in the baptismal or creek or river or horse trough, or hot tub or whatever is used. No one should be hurt on such a special occasion. Also, the water should not be too overwhelmingly cold (or hot) with someone who is older, due to risks of heart attacks or other complications. Keep a firm grip on the person being baptized so they can feel secure about coming back out of the water.
It’s good to remind the baptismal candidate ahead of time that they’ll need to bring a towel, a dry change of clothes (including socks), shoes if necessary (non-slip), and a blanket if necessary (due to weather).
Make sure that someone captures this in a picture or video. It’s something to hold onto.
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INTO THE WATER
If you have fully understood these biblical facts and accept them as true, then it is my great pleasure to baptize you into the name of the Father, into the name of the Son, and into the name of the Holy Spirit.
BAPTISM
You have died to sin and are now raised to new of life in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), which is what water baptism represents.
Summary
I hope this helps at least some when you are planning to baptize someone. It is best to go over these questions well in advance of the baptism so that these questions and beliefs are settled and there’s no doubt in the mind of the believer.
Conclusion
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: Does Baptism Save You? A Biblical Analysis/a> [5]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.