The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-8, titled "Questions and Answers--Part 36."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

This is relative to the Lordship thing, and it’s not so much a question as just a comment. First of all, it seems to me like there’s so much heat and not a lot of light going on in this, with all the accusations you’re getting. I’ve heard you say on occasion, and I really agree, that you don’t make Christ Lord--that He’s already Lord whether you’re saved or not and whether you even know He exists. Sometimes I think that there’re a lot of areas where more careful use of terminology would help a lot. So, I just wanted to commend you for that and say the more you can say it, I think the better it’s going to be.

Secondly, because of this, it seems like this really has an effect on the methodology of evangelism. I was listening to a tape by Al Martin where he was pointing out that Jesus basically gave one duty for us to do: to proclaim our faith in a public manner and that was baptism, not altar calls and raising your hand and all of that stuff...it really has nothing to do...that’s already been covered. God has made provision for us to do that.

So, I just would like you to comment on how you feel the truth of this issue should effect evangelism, including DE [Discipleship Evangelism] and all of those other things.

Answer

I don’t know that there’s any such thing in the New Testament as a non-baptized believer. I mean, certainly on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 believed and were what? Were baptized. And every other situation--you know, the eunuch, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” The Philippian jailer--baptized and his whole household. Paul, with Ananias--baptized. There’s little question about that. In fact, it becomes so absolutely synonymous with saving faith that Paul writes to the Ephesians and says, “One Lord, one faith, one-” what? “One baptism.” He’s not talking about spirit baptism; he’s talking about water baptism, because they were inseparable.

And you’re right in saying that the public confession of Lordship was baptism. That’s right. And I’ve always said this and I say it again: a believer who is reluctant to be baptized should be questioned as to the genuineness of his or her salvation. I man, it’s that simple, because that has been that standard, normal, routine expression of true salvation.

You say, “Well, why is it so important?” It’s so important because the Bible says, “Repent and be--” what? “Baptized,” and if obedience is the demonstration of submission to the Lordship of Christ, then it ought to include obedience to that very initial command.

I’ll say it very plainly: those of you who have not been baptized are really a contradiction. On the one hand, you say Christ is Lord; on the other hand, you say, "I just don’t want to obey Him." I’m not sure I can comprehend how to read that. It’s a very vital thing.

But how in the world--and I think what you’re saying is so true--we ever associated salvation more with lifting a hand, walking an aisle, signing a card, or making a "decision," than we did with public baptism? I suppose it’s the legacy of contemporary evangelism.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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