Just have to get this off my chest as there are some baptism teachings that I’ve heard lately that are not Biblical.

1) False claim: The Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized in a puddle

The word used here is the word for water – ydor. It is literally the word for water. Not puddle.

• It was used of the Sea of Galilee when Peter walked on the water (Mt 14:29)
• It was the word “water” used for when the demon tried to throw a boy into water to kill him (Mt 17:15; Mark 9:22)
• It is the word used for “living water” that will flow from us (John 4:14)
• It is used of water in drinking cups, water basins and other practical matters

We never once see it used for puddle. It is plain and simply the word for “water.”

Could it be used for puddle? Yes, it could. But when we see baptism, we never see the imagery of “puddle.” We see the opposite, even here.

This very text in Acts 8 where many say this is just a “puddle” doesn’t even make sense. Look at the text:

³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Did you see it? They “both” went “down into the water.” Can two people go “down” into a puddle?

2) Another False Claim – You Don’t Need Baptized, it’s Just a Ceremony

There’s a lot of controversy over whether baptism is necessary for salvation. For me it’s a false question. That’s not the issue.

Of course if someone dies on their way to their baptism, they are with Jesus (think thief on the cross).

Of course it is only Jesus who saves. We are saved by grace through faith.

But baptism is

1 – A command

Why would we not be baptized when the Scriptures are clear on this?

• Jesus said to go and baptize (Matthew 28:19-20)
• The Scriptures says ALL people are to be baptized (Acts 2:38)

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

2 – Baptism is the way we unite ourselves with Christ

People are quick to point to Romans 10 that we just need to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior to be saved. And there’s truth to that.

But what is left out is Romans 6:1-5. The full context matters. These are the verses where baptism is how we unite ourselves with Christ’s death and resurrection.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Again, if someone dies before they are baptized, the grace of Jesus’ is huge.

But at the end of the day, baptism is something Jesus commanded. Why wouldn’t we obey the one who saves us from our sins?