Most brethren have experienced the problem of trying to convert denominational people who insist that they have been baptized. In the case of Baptists, for example, we have labored to show that if one is baptized as a decisive act of conversion, it is in spite of Baptist doctrine and not because of it. Baptists do not believe that baptism is a break with one's sinful past (Rom. 6:1-7): They teach that one is saved by faith only before the act of baptism and that baptism is merely the outward demonstration of an inward grace. In dealing with such people, some have approached the matter in the following manner:

(1) Show denominational people that they in all probability learned the truth about baptism after the fact of their baptism in the denomination, and that they have gone through an intellectual back-tracking to the conclusion that they have been baptized for the remission of sins. The steps are as follows: Baptism into a denominational body; later the truth about baptism is learned; then the conclusion that "I have been baptized," so "I must have been baptized for the remission of sins." When an honest seeker for truth recognizes the danger of this mental process, it is not difficult to show that person that he needs to be baptized. That what he considered to be baptism in his past life was in fact merely joining a denomination. It . did not constitute obedience at all.

(2) Point out that the New Testament .requires that penitent believers to confess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord before the act of baptism (Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37). If one confesses that he is already saved and does not confess his faith in Jesus, baptism means nothing. When the eunuch requested baptism in Acts 8, Phillip said, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest" (Acts 8:37). The confession required of the "candidate" for baptism by the Baptist church is: "Do you believe that God for Christ's sake has pardoned your sins?" When answered in the affirmative, the one desiring baptism confesses that he is already saved. This is the wrong confession, resulting in the failure to obey the gospel.

Even though it was common knowledge, I now have proof in writing that Seventh-day Adventists believe the identical thing about salvation prior to baptism as the Baptists. Before me is a Seventh-Day Adventist Church Manual. On page 51 the following item appears under the heading Baptism Vow And Baptism: "in the presence of the church the following questions should be answered in the affirmative by candidates for baptism; renouncing the world and it's sinful ways, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and do you believe that God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven your sins and given you a new heart?"

There it is. The same old doctrine of salvation by faith only all over again. The Bible says that we are not saved by faith only (Jas. 2:24). It teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:28). One is to be baptized in order to be saved and not because one is already saved (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; I Pet. 3:21). Making this vow before baptism is an admission on the part of the one making the confession that he is saved before and without baptism. The Seventhday Adventists, like the Baptists, do not baptize for the purposes outlined in the New Testament. A person coming from either of these groups will have to be baptized as the Bible directs, whether we call this "re-baptism," or whatever (Acts 19:1-5). They have not obeyed the gospel (2 Thes. 1:79). They are not christians (Acts 11:26).

Another point of identity with the Baptist is illustrated on page 61 of the same manual. Under the heading Welcoming candidates, the following statement is made: ". . . the church body should be asked to vote on their acceptance into the church, subject to baptism, which ordinance should not be delayed."

The very fact that voting is done signifies that those doing the voting have the right to refuse the so-called candidate the right to be baptized. Man does not have that right (Acts 10:47-48). In fact, voting is not even authorized! This is simply another instance of a departure from the New Testament order. We must continue to plead with the denominational people to come out of their sectarianism and take their stand on the New Testament. For the alien, baptism is the point of break with the sinful past (Rom. 6:17; 6:1-8). Faith embodies baptism. Baptism is an act of faith. The centrality of baptism for the believer cannot be denied, regardless of what church manuals say. The Bible still says: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved . . ." (Mk. 16:16).

Truth Magazine, XVIII:10, pp. 8-9
January 17, 1974