When you start looking into specifics, it is rather astonishing how many different views there are on the subject of Christian baptism. It’s actually a little disheartening that there’s so many different views since we should hope that Christians would agree more on important doctrines like this one, but here we are. In this post I have laid out a summary of each of the major positions trying not to show (much) bias. These are just the major ones, there are often variations within each group as well. Each group will appeal to Scripture for support and often many of the same Scriptures, some better than others, but the real difference in the views usually comes down to Biblical interpretation, which is why figuring out how to properly interpret Scripture is so important. Everyone is prone to interpret Scripture in light of their own denomination or church tradition and being able to break out of that and look at Scripture with fresh eyes is super important. We should never just believe something because our church or pastor or tradition teaches it.
A few things to keep in mind as we think about baptism and it's relationship to salvation: Scripture talks about believers
as those who have been saved (past tense, usually referring to conversion), who are being saved (present tense)
and who will be saved (future tense). In the discussion of baptism, “conversion”
is rather central to the argument and whether that comes before baptism, after
baptism, or during or partially through baptism. The discussion comes down to these two key questions: What does it mean to be in the New Covenant? And when/how
does God change the heart and give new life to someone?
I did not cite Scriptures in each view since again most views will
use the same Scriptures to defend their view. Key verses on baptism used by
most or all groups in their defense are: Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:1-41; 8:36-39;
16:30-33, Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:11-12, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21, I have discussed many of these Scriptures and more in a previous post here.
Major Views on Baptism:
Symbolic-Only Credo-Baptist View: Baptism is
the proper response to God’s grace in salvation through faith and repentance.
It is an act of obedience through faith, and an initiation into the church. It
symbolizes and demonstrates the death and resurrection of the soul through the
death and resurrection of Christ. It is a visible sign and seal of the person’s
entrance into the visible church and a confirmation to those witnessing it of
the individual’s faith and repentance. Thus, baptism should only be given to
professing believers. Baptism is not a "means of grace" it is strictly symbolic, and a testimony to one's conversion. It is not
essential for someone to be considered "saved," however, as it is commanded by Christ/Scripture, true believers should be
obedient to the Lord’s command.
Here’s a longer explanation on this view: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-baptism.html
Low-sacramental/Reformed Credo-Baptist view: This view is very similar to the last, but slightly different and views it as a little more important. Baptism
is the proper response to God when He has converted the heart and brought about
faith and repentance. It is an act of obedience through faith, and an
initiation into the church. It symbolizes and demonstrates the death and
resurrection of the soul through the death and resurrection of Christ. Thus,
baptism should only be given to professing believers. Furthermore, (and this is
what distinguishes this view from a strict symbol view) Christ (and the Holy
Spirit) are spiritually present in the act of Baptism and thus it is also a “means
of grace” and an opportunity for spiritual blessing/encouragement. It is a visible sign and
seal of the person’s entrance into the visible church, a confirmation to those
witnessing it of the individual’s faith and repentance, and a grace-filled, powerful
reminder of their position in Christ. While this view sees Baptism as more than
just a physical act and more accurately as also a spiritual one that Christ meets
us in in a rather mysterious way, baptism does not bestow forgiveness, wash away sin, or put the person "into" Christ. It is Christ that accomplished our forgiveness/justification on the cross,
and new life/adoption is bestowed upon us the moment we believe by the Holy Spirit. Baptism could be considered the culmination of the "salvation experience," but it is not “essential”
in the sense that one can temporarily or ignorantly delay their baptism and still be considered saved. However,
it is commanded, and true believers must be obedient to the Lord’s commands to
have true assurance of their salvation and for admission of their "official" membership in
the visible Church. Like a wedding where the witnesses give their testimony to what has occurred, baptism is an important moment where the individual is outwardly joined with the visible church. While baptism can be said to “save” (lower case “s” referring to our ongoing salvation) or be an
“effectual” means of grace, baptism doesn’t “save” (justify) us or put us "into Christ". It is meaningful and important, but still largely a symbol and outward sign of the work God has already accomplished internally.
Longer discussion and Q&A here: https://www.eng.auburn.edu/~sjreeves/personal/baptism_faq.html
Presbyterian/Low Anglican View: Baptism
is “a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, or one’s ingrafting into Christ,
of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of one’s giving up unto God, through
Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.” (WCF) Baptism is the act of God
bringing a person into the Covenant family. In addition to adult believers,
children of believers should also be baptized. Like circumcision in the OT
brought children of Israelites into the Covenant, so baptism also brings the
children of believers into the visible church and the New Covenant. By itself it is incomplete. It is an outward sign that must
be completed/fulfilled through personal faith and repentance. Therefore, baptism is not a
guarantee of regeneration or salvation, faith and repentance must (eventually) be
evident. Baptism is required to be considered a Christian but one can be saved prior to being baptized.
The Presbyterian view is based largely on the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) here: https://www.creeds.net/Westminster/c28.htm
For the official Anglican position see below.
(These last 3 views are the most controversial, and [in my opinion] the furthest from Scripture.)
Efficacious Church-of-Christ View: Man’s response to God in salvation is six-fold: Hear the Word, Believe, Repent of sin, Confess faith in Christ, Be baptized, Be faithful to the end. Baptism is but one aspect of the being saved. Furthermore, baptism is the “occasion of salvation,” the moment that God brings a person into Christ, into His body, His Church. It is not a work that we do, rather it is God’s work in which He washes away our sin, gives the Holy Spirit and bestows new life. Baptism is absolutely necessary for one to be a Christian and be saved. Therefore, baptism should only be given to those who make a profession of faith and should be administered with no delay.
Depending on who you talk to, some COC folks will say that
one may still go to Heaven if they die on the way to their baptism, but others
will say that God would not allow a genuine believer to die before being
baptized (thus that person would be lost). However, all would agree that if a professing Christian delays their baptism for any reason they cannot be considered saved.
See a longer defense of this view here: http://www.christianlandmark.com/the-church-of-christ-teaches-the-truth-on-baptism/
Sacramental High Anglican/Lutheran view:
Baptism is a means of grace whereby God gives or cultivates the gift of faith and graciously
bestows new life on the individual, bringing them into his family. It works
forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who believe. Baptism should thus be
administered to believing adults or children of believers. Although baptism kindles
God’s grace and turns our hearts towards God, it does not necessarily “convert”
our heart. God’s work in baptism may be resisted because for baptism to truly be
beneficial, it must be combined with a personal profession of faith (will be
later if they are baptized as an infant) and continued faith and obedience, otherwise the baptism becomes ineffective.
We should look to what God did in our
baptism and trust His ability to save us. Most would believe that one can ignorantly delay baptism and still be saved, but their salvation may still be questioned. This view also usually believes that the grace given in baptism can be lost, and the person baptized be unsaved.
The “official” Anglican position on baptism in the 39 Articles is rather vague. Some Anglicans hold to this higher sacramental view, for others, it’s more a “sign and a seal” (similar to Presbyterian above). For a more thorough explanation see: https://anglicancompass.com/holy-baptism/
The main difference of Lutheranism from Anglicanism is that Lutherans believe infants can actually have faith and that baptism cultivates that faith. The official Lutheran position is largely based on Luther’s shorter catechism: “[Baptism] works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe”. The official Lutheran position believes in security of the elect, and while they believe baptism does "work forgiveness" they will also say that baptismal grace can be lost if the person does not continue to believe. Further Lutheran explanation: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/justandsinner/what-is-the-lutheran-view-of-baptism/
Sacramental Roman Catholic View: Baptism is a means of grace whereby God cleanses one of original and previously committed sin. Faith is not given at baptism, rather the faith of the parents sustains them until confirmation. Thus, those baptized must be confirmed later when the child is older for it to be truly effective. Baptism is to be administered to infants or professing adults for forgiveness of original sin without which there is no entrance into Heaven.
Catholic explanation: https://www.aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/a-guide-to-catholic-baptism/
A few observations from this study: In case you didn't already know, I personally am convinced of the
Reformed Credo-Baptist position. Baptism is very important and special
and there is "grace" given in it, but it is still completely separate
from conversion and, other than being a spiritually encouraging/enriching experience, and an affirmation/witness of one's acceptance into the visible church, it does not change anything spiritually. Every other view in this post falls short of what I see Scripture teaching and/or adds to it in some way.
-It is interesting to note that the more "sacramental" one gets, the more (conscious) personal faith is separated from baptism. And the more unique spiritual conversion is blurred and ultimately eliminated altogether. Baptism becomes something done in order to attain forgiveness, which completely distorts the Gospel message.
-Also, the more sacramental you go, the more baptism becomes what "makes" someone a member of the New Covenant, or even a "Christian", and, the more likely it is that they could lose that status. At the very least, "baptismal grace" can be lost and thus the meaning/symbolism of baptism is ultimately lost.
-When it comes to Infant Baptism, faith and/or salvation is often assumed unless it is not confirmed, the individual rejects their baptism, or they show themselves to be unrepentant. In keeping with this, there is sometimes not a clear calling of the child to personal saving faith in Christ and their need for salvation/conversion. There may be a call to "keep their baptism vows," the need to be confirmed, or something like that, but especially the more sacramental you get, the less there is a call or an emphasis on the need for conversion. My biggest concern with infant baptism is exactly this, and it's one way the Old Covenant failed: If they are already part of the "covenant community" what need is there for conversion? The New Covenant is better than the old - those that are in it, are truly saved not just quasi-members. You cannot be a member of Christ by birth or by baptism. Let's make one thing clear: One is united with Christ by the Spirit and by the Spirit alone. No circumcision or water baptism needed. To deny this is to deny basic Biblical teaching on justification. Furthermore, if baptism ingrafts one into Christ or into the New Covenant, it minimizes (or even destroys) the deep symbolism and meaning of baptism and ultimately, what Christ has accomplished for His people.
P.S. I highly recommend this sermon series by James White on this subject. It goes through all the various Scriptures and arguments.
