Can Someone Be Baptized Wrong?

Steven’s Scribbles
“Can Someone Be Baptized Wrong?”
Acts 19:1-7
    
    The title is a question I get asked often, and the short answer is yes. Someone can be baptized incorrectly. We see an example of this in scripture. In Acts 19, Paul was in Ephesus and the text says he found disciples. Disciples meaning followers, and inference is disciples of Jesus. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They said “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” His next question is important to note, vs. 3, ‘And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “into John’s baptism.”’ I find it interesting, the Apostle Paul linked together belief and baptism, this will come back later. The following verses make it obvious that John’s Baptism was not the “One baptism” that Paul wrote about in Eph. 4:4. What was John’s Baptism? Paul says in vs. 4 that, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance.” So, repentance was a requirement for John’s baptism. Luke 3:3 would say the John was “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” So, when these men were baptized, it was for remission of sins as well, but the catch is that John’s baptism was looking toward Jesus (Matt. 3:1-3). The long answer is yes, it is possible for someone to baptized incorrectly, even if when they are baptized someone says it is “for the remission of sins.” That is why Paul then ordered these men to be “Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” meaning with His authority, as stated in Matt. 28:18-20. The person must first hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17), for that is the only way faith can be attained (Heb. 11:6). They must also believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16; John 8:24). Their belief in that beautiful message leads them to repent of their sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19, 17:30). Confession of Christ is also a necessity, as Jesus stated in Matt 10:32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven” and we see this example plainly in Acts 8:36-37. Then that person is to be baptized in order to receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21) and the Lord will add them to the church (Acts 2:41&47, Col. 1:13-14) where they are to serve faithfully until death (Rev. 2:10, 2 Tim. 4:6-8). I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley