What Makes a Baptism Valid?

1. There are five Biblical qualifications which must be met for a baptism to be valid.

            a proper administer (baptizer).

            a proper candidate (the person who is baptized).

            a proper mode.

            a proper belief.

            a proper result.

1. The proper administer is a validly ordained minister.

            “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them…. 18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Mat 28:16,18-19)

            Every person in the Bible who baptized someone was an ordained minister.

III. The proper candidate is a repentant, believing person.

            “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Act 2:38)

            “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Act 8:12)

            “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (Act 18:8)

            “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37)  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38)  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Act 8:36-38)

1. The proper mode is immersion in water.

            Baptize –  Etymology – [a. F. baptise-r, -izer (11th c.), ad. L. baptiza-re, ad. Gr. βaπτξειν ‘to immerse, bathe, wash, drench,’ in Christian use appropriated to the religious rite, f. βάπτειν to dip, plunge, bathe.] 1. trans. To immerse in water, or pour or sprinkle water upon, as a means of ceremonial purification, or in token of initiation into a religious society, especially into the Christian Church; to christen.

            Immerse – 1. trans. To dip or plunge into a liquid; to put overhead in water, etc.; spec. to baptize by immersion.

            Baptism symbolizes Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

            “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Rom 6:4-5)

            Since baptism is by immersion, it requires a place where there is much water that a person can be baptized in.

            “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” (Joh 3:23)

            “And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mar 1:5)

            “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10)  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:” (Mar 1:9-10)

1. The proper belief is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

            “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37)  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38)  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Act 8:36-38)

1. The proper result is being added to the membership of a local church.

            “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42)  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Act 2:41-42,47)

VII.          If your baptism didn’t meet these five scriptural qualifications, you have not been Biblically baptized.