Sometimes we read into scripture what we want it to say. Perhaps it fits our personal theology at the time or what we have been told it says or means.
When many read the word "baptise" in the bible, what comes to mind is water. Baptised simply means "immersed". If you read all the scripture passages that speak of baptism and substitute the word "immerse" for the word "baptise", then you will begin to see that to baptize is an action, but what we are baptised "in" is two different things. The bible speaks of being baptized in water, and into Jesus Christ. These are not one and the same, and John told us so. I'm not against anyone being immersed in water. But if there has been no immersion into Christ, what good is that? It's like shaking a preacher's hand, or not wearing ornamental jewelry. In order to be saved, one must be immersed into Christ. Alleluia! Glory be to God forever more. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
This baptism thing only becomes controversial when somebody says children of God must be baptized into water to be saved. In my humble opinion, this is a very shallow and non-scriptural position. I'm not attempting to condemn anyone who has this position. But I hope you will read the Word and let it set you free.
When God looks at me, I hope all He can see is Jesus. If I'm immersed into Him, then that is all He will see. \o/.
Tozer likened it to a bottle that you take to the middle of the ocean, uncork it, and plunge it into the sea. The bottle is never seen again. It has been immersed into the ocean. If you look for the bottle, all you see is ocean. The bottle now contains 100% ocean. But it does not contain 100% of the ocean. It has ocean on the inside and ocean on the outside. Again, when you look for it, all you will see is ocean.
When God looks at His children, all He can see is Jesus. You're either immersed in Him or you're not saved! How are we immersed into Christ? By faith in the finished work of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Annointed One. Holy is the Lamb that was slain. Blessed be His Holy Name.
Do I have a problem with christians being water baptised? Absolutely not. It's a public confession of what has already taken place. We are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. Somebody ought to shout.