Acceptable Baptism

Introduction
Baptism is one of the most important topics in the New Testament because it is tied directly to salvation. Yet, not every act that people call “baptism” is acceptable to God. Acts 19 records an event that illustrates this truth clearly. Paul met disciples in Ephesus who had been immersed under John’s baptism, but they lacked a correct understanding of Christ, His kingdom, and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Upon learning the truth, they submitted to the “one baptism” of the gospel. This account shows us that God requires the right action, the right understanding, and the right purpose for baptism to be valid.

The Example in Acts 19
These men had been baptized under John’s baptism. John’s baptism involved repentance and immersion, preparing people for Christ’s coming. Outwardly, it looked the same as gospel baptism — both involved immersion in water — but the meaning and purpose were different. Paul taught them the truth, and they were baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” This was the baptism instituted on Pentecost (Acts 2) and described as the “one baptism” in Ephesians 4:5. The lesson here is timeless: God demands the right action, understanding, and motive in every command we obey.

God Requires the Right Heart
In Amos 5:21–24, God condemned Israel’s feast days, offerings, and songs — not because the acts themselves were wrong, but because their hearts were not right. They were obeying outwardly while living without justice and righteousness. Jesus taught the same in Matthew 6:1, warning against doing righteous deeds for the wrong reasons. The purpose behind an action matters as much as the action itself. This principle applies to worship, to the Lord’s Supper, to giving, and to every step of salvation, including baptism.

Faith Must Be Genuine
Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes from hearing God’s word. Saving faith must be sincere and built on the truth of Scripture. Repentance must be more than outward change — it must involve a change of heart and will. Confession must come from a firm conviction that Jesus is the Son of God and a commitment to follow Him at all costs. In the same way, baptism must be done with the proper understanding and for the right reason.

Baptism Must Be a Burial
Romans 6:3–4 describes baptism as a burial with Christ into death, followed by resurrection to walk in newness of life. Burial requires complete immersion, just as Christ was completely enclosed in the tomb. Sprinkling or pouring water is not Bible baptism because it does not fit the biblical description or the meaning of burial. If your baptism was not immersion, it was not the baptism God commands.

Baptism Must Be Prompted by Faith in God
Colossians 2:11–13 shows that baptism is effective “through faith in the working of God.” The same God who raised Jesus from the dead raises the believer from spiritual death to life, forgiving all sins. This means a person must understand and believe that God acts at the moment of baptism to cleanse them. Without this faith, baptism becomes an empty ritual — a dry sinner going down into the water and coming up a wet one.

Baptism Must Be for the Forgiveness of Sins
Acts 2:38 commands baptism “for the forgiveness of sins.” This is the stated purpose of gospel baptism. While baptism brings many blessings — reconciliation, fellowship, redemption — its primary purpose is the removal of sin. Peter reinforces this in 1 Peter 3:21, explaining that baptism saves, not by washing dirt from the body, but as the appeal of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus. If someone is baptized for another reason — to join a denomination, to follow friends, or to please family — it is not the baptism God accepts.

When the Purpose Is Missing
When the biblical purpose is removed, baptism becomes a meaningless ritual. Those in Acts 19 obeyed again when they realized their first baptism was invalid. They showed humility and obedience. We must have the same heart — willing to submit to the truth once we understand it.

Acceptable Baptism Sermon Outline:

• The Example in Acts 19 (Acts 19:1–5) – Paul teaches men with John’s baptism; they submit to gospel baptism.

• God Requires the Right Heart (Amos 5:21–24; Matthew 6:1) – Outward obedience without the right motive is rejected.

• Faith Must Be Genuine (Romans 10:17) – Faith must be based on God’s word.

• Baptism Must Be a Burial (Romans 6:3–4) – True baptism is immersion, picturing Christ’s burial and resurrection.

• Baptism Must Be Prompted by Faith in God (Colossians 2:11–13) – God works in baptism to forgive sins.

• Baptism Must Be for the Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21) – The stated purpose of baptism is the removal of sin.

• When the Purpose Is Missing – Baptism without the right purpose is not acceptable; those in Acts 19 obeyed again.

Call to Action
Examine your baptism in light of God’s word. Was it immersion? Was it prompted by faith in God’s saving power? Was it for the forgiveness of sins? If not, it was not acceptable to God. Follow the example of Acts 19 — obey the truth with humility and be baptized into Christ for the right reason.

Key Takeaways

• God requires both correct action and correct understanding in baptism (Acts 19:1–5; Amos 5:21–24).

• Acceptable baptism is immersion, picturing burial and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:3–4).

• Baptism must be prompted by faith in God’s power to save (Colossians 2:12–13).

• The purpose of baptism is the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21).

• Baptism without the right purpose is an empty ritual.

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 19:1–5 – Paul rebaptizes disciples who had John’s baptism.

• Amos 5:21–24 – God rejects worship without righteousness.

• Matthew 6:1 – Doing righteous acts for the wrong reasons.

• Romans 10:17 – Faith comes from hearing the word of God.

• Romans 6:3–4 – Baptism as burial and resurrection with Christ.

• Colossians 2:11–13 – Baptism through faith in God’s working.

• Acts 2:38 – Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

• 1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism saves as an appeal to God for a good conscience.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO