What defines an unbiblical baptism?

Definition of Biblical Baptism

Baptism in Scripture is consistently depicted as an outward expression of a person’s repentance and belief in Christ. It symbolizes the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The command to baptize is clearly seen in passages such as Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” This sign of initiation into the community of faith is presented in the New Testament as a vital act of obedience.

Though many traditions apply various modes (immersion, pouring, or sprinkling), the defining aspect is that it must align with the teachings of Scripture, represent genuine faith in Christ, and be performed in the name of the Triune God. If these foundational elements or the meaning of this ordinance deviate from biblical revelation, the resulting practice can be considered “unbiblical.”

Scriptural Foundations and Examples

Throughout the New Testament, numerous examples of baptism emphasize its essential nature:

• Acts 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…’” This establishes that sincere repentance and faith precede baptism.

• Romans 6:3–4: “Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death…” This passage underscores baptism as a participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.

• Acts 8:36–38 details the Ethiopian eunuch hearing the gospel from Philip, then requesting immediate baptism. His acknowledgment that Christ is the Son of God parallels the biblical intention of baptism arising from an informed and heartfelt confession of faith.

In every instance, baptism points to a spiritual reality first—repentance, faith, and submission to Christ—then follows with the physical sign. This order underscores a fundamental principle that biblical baptism is built on genuine belief.

Essential Elements of a Biblical Baptism

1. Right Authority

According to the New Testament—for example, in Matthew 28:18–20—Jesus Himself vested His disciples with the authority to baptize. Consequently, for baptism to be biblical, it must be carried out in a framework where those performing the ceremony recognize and uphold the lordship of Christ and the doctrines taught by the apostles (Acts 2:42).

2. Correct Formula (Trinitarian Invocation)

Jesus commissioned His followers to baptize “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). If a person is baptized using terminology that denies or distorts the Triune nature of God, the act ceases to reflect the unified testimony of Scripture regarding the Godhead.

3. Legitimate Recipient (A Believer)

The consistent pattern in the Book of Acts involves believers making a conscious decision to follow Christ (Acts 2:41; 8:12). While some denominations debate the appropriate age or the inclusion of infants, biblical examples repeatedly show that personal faith is central. A person who does not understand or believe in the core elements of the gospel cannot meaningfully engage in a biblically defined baptism.

4. Symbolic Meaning (Death, Burial, and Resurrection)

Baptism conveys union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5). If this symbolic meaning is either denied or replaced with unbiblical ideas—for instance, that the ceremony itself guarantees salvation without genuine faith—then its core representation veers away from biblical teaching.

What Constitutes an “Unbiblical” Baptism?

1. Absence of Faith in Christ

A ceremony performed without personal faith in the death and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) has no biblical grounding. Baptism is never portrayed in Scripture as an empty ritual. Instead, it is always linked to a heartfelt acceptance of and reliance on the completed work of Jesus.

2. Denial of the Triune Name

If baptism is carried out with an explicit denial of the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, or in the name of someone or something else (Galatians 1:8–9 warns against distorted gospels), the practice is no longer the baptism commanded by Christ in Matthew 28:19.

3. Distorted Purpose or Motive

Scripture makes no room for baptism as a method to gain favor through human works. As Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches, salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. A baptism intended to earn salvation or to manipulate God undermines the gospel of grace.

4. Performed by or Under a False Teacher

The authority Christ conferred on His apostles (and by extension, on true disciples who follow the apostolic teachings) does not extend to those proclaiming heretical doctrines. If a group denies core truths (e.g., the deity of Christ, His resurrection, or the reliability of Scripture), any form of baptism presented could be considered invalid because it lacks adherence to the truth revealed by the New Testament.

5. Proxy or Inappropriate Substitutions

Scripture never supports baptizing on behalf of someone else who has died or who is absent. While 1 Corinthians 15:29 mentions a practice of “baptism for the dead,” the broader context and the consensus of orthodox interpretation see this as referencing a misunderstanding or a local custom—rather than a prescribed Christian practice. Baptisms carried out for the deceased or in other unbiblical substitutions lack the direct linkage to personal faith.

Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

Archaeological finds from early Christian communities, such as first-century baptismal sites in regions like Judea and Galilee, reveal immersion pools consistent with the ancient practice described in Scripture. Writings from early church documents, such as the Didache (late first or early second century), affirm the importance of baptizing believers who have consciously embraced the faith, further corroborating the New Testament model.

Additionally, the ongoing discoveries at sites like Qumran (famous for the Dead Sea Scrolls) have shed light on first-century ritual washings, underscoring the concept of washing with water for purification. While these Jewish mikveh practices are not identical to Christian baptism, they lend historical weight to the cultural background in which the New Testament instructions on baptism emerged.

Geological and Scientific Perspectives

Though baptism is primarily theological rather than scientific, studies in ancient architecture—such as the design of early churches with baptisteries—provide tangible evidence for the doctrinal priority given to this ordinance. Scholars who investigate these sites take note of how the water basins were large enough to allow immersion, aligning with the biblical imagery of Romans 6:4.

Moreover, the overall trustworthiness of biblical records, bolstered by manuscript evidence (tens of thousands of ancient copies or fragments in Greek, Latin, and other languages), undergirds the reliability of passages that describe baptism. Textual scholars examining key New Testament manuscripts (e.g., Vaticanus, Sinaiticus) confirm consistent references to the command to baptize, reinforcing that the apostolic community held it in high regard.

Practical Considerations for the Modern Believer

1. Ensuring the Right Heart Attitude

Baptism is never simply a ritual. An essential component is the believer’s confession that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). Before undergoing baptism, the individual should have a clear understanding of the gospel, sincere repentance, and a genuine desire to live in obedience to Christ.

2. Choosing a Faithful Church Context

Because the apostles taught doctrine in a communal setting (Acts 2:42), it is fitting for believers to be baptized within a faithful assembly of Christians. This allows for nurturing discipleship, proper teaching, fellowship, and accountability in line with the instructions of Christ.

3. Confirming Trinitarian Belief

The essential nature of God is triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A biblical baptism bears witness to one’s vital connection with each Person of the Godhead. Ensuring alignment with biblical doctrine is crucial for a believer’s testimony and the local church’s witness.

4. Maintaining Correct View of Salvation

Baptism symbolizes an inner reality and does not save by itself. Adhering to the biblical stance preserves the believer from confusing the sign of salvation with the substance of saving grace.

Conclusion

An unbiblical baptism is any form of baptism that departs from Scripture’s intention, meaning, or authority. It might exclude faith in Christ, dismiss the Triune name, rely on distorted motives, or originate from teachings contrary to the historic and orthodox Christian faith. Biblically, baptism always unites the believer with Christ’s death and resurrection, performed in obedience to His command, under the authority He established, and in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

When these criteria are upheld, baptism remains a biblical ordinance overflowing with theological depth, historical authenticity, and a powerful testimony of the gospel. When they are compromised or replaced, the practice ceases to align with Scripture’s clear and unified witness.