Baptisms do not save. Baptisms are not even in the equation for salvation, though some denominations teach otherwise. But baptism is important. Acts 2:38 does not say that baptism is to be added to repentance in order to be saved. The word “for” in the text does not mean “so you can be” saved. The better translation is “because” you have repented. Nowhere in the Epistles does Paul or anyone else imply that water baptism is needed for salvation. Still, some church denominations, e.g., Church of Christ and Pentecostals, believe otherwise. Likewise, many denominations also hold to the false teaching of infant baptism. Bottom line, water baptism does not contribute to salvation. Just ask the malefactor on the cross next to Jesus Christ (Luke 23:42, 43). In fact, Jesus Christ was baptized, and He did not even need to be saved (Matthew 3:16).
But some churches have fake baptisms thinking they are legit. Granted, nowhere in scripture is there a time limit between a baptism and a legit regeneration. But there is a little bit of biblical incompetence exposed when it is advertised in the church bulletin to sign up for baptisms like one is signing up for the church softball team or a cookie raffle. And then what is annoying is how pathetic it is when the congregation applauds the one getting baptized, as if they did something towards their own salvation.
Not everyone was on the road to Damascus when God saved them. Some salvations are obviously less emotional than others. But where are the understandings of sin and the need for a Saviour in today’s testimonies? How can one repent if they do not understand what they should repent of? No testimony should begin by someone boasting that they were “raised in a Christian home.” And why do pastors feel the need to confirm a person’s salvation by talking to them? Is that not what the Holy Spirit does? When the Ethiopian eunuch was regenerated, he was immediately baptized (Acts 8:36). Did Philip tell him to sign up for baptism at his local church? No. He was baptized then.
There is no doubt that some have no clue of understanding biblical baptism or salvation. But the pastors should. And shame on the pastor, teacher, or parent that misleads a sinner into decisional regeneration. So, there will be fake baptisms because there will be fake testimonies. It is up to both the church attendees and the pastors to understand the biblical importance of water baptism following real regeneration (John 3:8).
One day, many will hear from the Lord, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).
