Some denominations teach that baptism is necessary to be truly born-again. Others teach baptism is not necessary, but merely a symbolic act. Those denominations that don’t believe baptism is a requirement, still have other differences. All of these different beliefs concerning baptism originated from the following scripture:
Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The above scripture is used to support the belief that baptism is absolutely necessary and one cannot be saved without it. One example that baptism is not a pre-requisite is the thief on the cross. Jesus informed him that He would see him that very day in heaven, Luke 23:43, “…verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This man could not come down from the cross to get baptized, yet Jesus said he would see him in paradise that very day; therefore baptism is not a pre-requisite to be inducted into heaven.
Mat. 28:19, coupled with Luke 23:43 is also used to support the belief that baptism is not a requirement, but merely a symbolic gesture. Within the confines of this belief, there is still much confusion. Many pastors in fact do baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, while other pastors baptize in a combination of the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Which procedure is correct? Isn’t it true, that all three entities of the godhead, are in fact the same God?
Baptism in this passage is not signifying that an individual must be baptized, in order to be born-again. Baptize means: to immerse, to submerge, and to overwhelm. Baptizing indicates one should immerse himself in the word of God, immerse himself in the name of the Son, and immerse himself in the manifestation of the Holy Ghost. If one is immersed in something then he is completely engulfed in it. Baptism is not limited to one being dunked in water as a symbolic gesture that he is born-again and that all of his sins have been washed away. Baptism is a lifestyle and not a quick plunge under water.
