Is baptism for remission of sins valid if one is being baptized in a denominational church?
If a man is baptized in a denominational church and he says he was baptize for the remission of sins, can you accept him into the fellowship of the church?
First, the Bible teaches that no one can be baptized into a denominational church. When one is correctly baptized, he is baptized into the body of Christ, which is the church of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18). Acts 2:41, 42, and 47 also teach that when one is baptized, he is added to the Lord’s church. So, if one is baptized correctly, he is already in the fellowship of the Lord's church. We never read in the Bible where an individual is baptized into a denominational body; in fact, we read that such kind of thinking is human wisdom and condemned in 1 Corinthians 1:13 where Paul clearly rejects that we may be baptized into any other name than Christ.
Second, it is possible for one to be baptized in a denominational facility/baptistery, and be baptized correctly. The location/facility makes no difference as to the validity of the baptism. So, if that is what you mean by "in a denominational church" then I would say that the facility really makes no difference at all. Neither does the one who is doing the baptizing. Jesus authorized all men to be baptized in the words of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15, 16. So it doesn’t matter who does the baptizing or where one is baptized so long as it is Christ’s baptism that is practiced.
Third, what truly matters when one is being baptized is one’s understanding of baptism. Baptism is an act of faith in God according to Colossians 2:11-13. So, in order for someone to be baptized correctly, they need to believe that God is doing something in reference to their obedience to Him. What does God do? God forgives sin. So, if one is being baptized for the remission of sins, that is, in order to be saved, then one has the right understanding of baptism. At that point, the Lord adds that person to His church ( Acts 2:41, 47). If, however, a person thinks that in being baptized, he is being added to a denominational church, then they do not have the correct understanding of baptism as I mentioned in the first point above. One just might as well ask the question, "what if one believes that God forgives sins in baptism, but that the one is being added to the Muslim religion?" Would that be correct? Of course not. So also, if one believes he is being added to a denominational church as a result of baptism, then one would be believing incorrect things regarding one’s baptism. It is the faith in baptism that makes baptism effectual for the work that God does. Without that faith, there is nothing in baptism; it is no different than diving into a swimming pool.
Posted in: Bible Answers, Church, Salvation