A Case for Confessor Baptism

Baptism is a simple, significant act with a loud message. Baptismal hodgepodge in the churches turns that loud clear shout into a muffled muttering, so that baptism effectively says nothing. When it says nothing, then why do it at all? Some Christians are in fact asking that very question. But when baptism is lost, much is lost. Baptism does something very necessary. It embodies conversion and confession. It marks and publicizes the time when a sinner passes from death to life and from wrath to grace. One clue as to the importance of this function is the fact that when baptism is not practiced biblically, there will always be a substitute for it. Confirmation and the "altar call" are two such substitutes. The Bible says nothing whatsoever about either of these rites, yet they have effectively become the sacraments of faith and conversion in their respective communions. This merely emphasizes the necessity of regaining the apostolic doctrine and usage. We must assume that baptism does its job better than any substitute; therefore we must also assume that a right understanding of baptism will contribute to the health of the church.