Speaking to someone who professes faith in Christ but refuses to be baptized is a delicate matter, requiring grace and truth. Here’s how I would approach it:
Begin with Affirmation
Firstly, I would affirm their faith in Jesus Christ as the most critical step they have taken. That faith is the cornerstone of their relationship with God and is to be celebrated.
Explore the Reluctance
Before diving into theological explanations, I’d want to understand their reasons for not wanting to be baptized. Is it fear? A lack of understanding? A bad experience with church? Some other personal reason? Knowing this can guide the conversation more effectively.
Present the Biblical Case
Once I understand their hesitation, I would lay out what the New Testament teaches about baptism:
- Commanded by Jesus: In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His disciples to baptize as part of the Great Commission.
- Modeled by the Early Church: The Book of Acts shows that new believers were routinely baptized shortly after coming to faith.
- United with Christ in Baptism: Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Baptism is described here as a participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s not merely a personal declaration but also an act that unites us with Christ’s transformative work.
- Faith and Baptism Interconnected: Colossians 2:12 reads, “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” This verse reinforces the inseparable connection between baptism and faith. You are raised through faith, but that faith is ritually and symbolically enacted through baptism.
- The Complex Role of Baptism: 1 Peter 3:21 says, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This verse beautifully captures the multidimensional aspect of baptism. It’s not merely an external ritual but has a transformative aspect—it serves as “an appeal to God for a good conscience.” While it’s not the act of baptism that saves, the act is inseparable from the faith and repentance it signifies, echoing a wider New Testament pattern.
Address the Discrepancy
Here’s the tricky part. If someone believes in Jesus, then they believe in His teachings and commands. Since Jesus commands baptism, a refusal to be baptized creates a disconnect between belief and obedience. I would gently but firmly point out this discrepancy. I would also discuss what the New Testament says about the relationship between faith and obedience, between believing and “doing” (James 2:14-26).
But that’s not all, baptism emerges as more than a mere “first step” in obedience. It’s a theologically rich, multifaceted act that encapsulates your identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6) and your faith in God’s transformative power (Colossians 2). Refusing this ordinance would not only be a refusal of a scriptural command but could also indicate either a lack of comprehension or willingness to fully participate in the multi-dimensional aspects of Christian conversion and life.
Given this, baptism is far from optional. It’s a scripturally mandated act of obedience that is closely tied to our profession of faith and our conscience before God. The New Testament doesn’t really know of unbaptized Christians as the norm. So, when 1 Peter 3:21 says that baptism “saves you,” it’s pointing to the rich, multifaceted role that baptism plays in the life of a believer. Refusing to be baptized is at odds with the comprehensive, transformative faith that the New Testament describes.
A Gentle Challenge
I would conclude by asking them to consider whether their refusal to be baptized aligns with their profession of faith in Jesus, inviting them to reconsider their stance in light of Scripture.
The key is to approach the topic with both love and truth, embodying the grace and truth of the gospel.
Questions for Reflection
- “If you’ve already been baptized, how does this deeper understanding impact your ongoing walk with Christ?”
- “If you haven’t been baptized yet, what’s keeping you from being baptized?
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