The question of being taught wrong and baptized biblically is one that answers itself! That is, if one will just stop and think for a moment. How could a person be baptized biblically, that is, according to the teaching of Christ, when taught something other than the teaching of Christ? Biblical baptism is in the teaching of Christ! However, there have been some through the years and even now among the churches of Christ, who believe and teach that a person may be taught wrong and baptized biblically, so it is necessary to address the subject.
A good place to start this article is looking at the reasons some people are baptized. First, let us look at the United Methodist. From their own page the following: “We also believe that in baptism God initiates a covenant with us, announced with the words, ‘The Holy Spirit works within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.’ This is followed by the sign-act of laying hands on the head, or the signing of the cross on the forehead with oil.” An interesting point to notice is that no New Testament authority is given for this statement. You can read through the New Testament and you never read anything like this and you will never see anyone doing anything like it. Clearly, the person who has been taught in this manner has been taught wrong; so how could his baptism be biblical?
Second, a look at what Presbyterians believe about baptism. The following is taken from one of their pages: “Presbyterians do not believe that baptism is essential to salvation, nor do we believe that we are saved by baptism. We believe that the normal mode of entrance into the church is by baptism but recognize that not all genuine believers have baptized.” This teaching clearly denies the words of Jesus, who said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16) and the inspired words of Peter: “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). There can be no doubt that all people who have been baptized upon being taught Presbyterian teaching, have been taught wrong and their baptism cannot be biblical.
Third, let us take a look at what is not so well known by non members of the Roman Catholic Church: “The baptism of desire applies both to those who, while wishing to be baptized, die before receiving the sacrament and ‘Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do His will as they know it through the dictates of conscience” (Constitution on the Church, Second Vatican Council).” Have you ever questioned where the idea of the “pious un-immersed” came from? Well, you might have your answer in these words though the words, “pious unimmersed,” do not appear. Clearly the Roman Catholic Church teaches that a person, who has never been taught the gospel of Christ, can be saved and a person who has never been baptized can be saved. This teaching stand against the teaching of Christ (Mark 16:16)!
Fourth, a look at the Baptist Church and what they believe about baptism. Baptist teach that one is saved before being baptized! Here are the words of a Baptist: “Let us consider the account of those baptized into the first church on the day of Pentecost. ‘Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.’ (Acts 2:41). Preceding this verse Peter had preached a sermon with such power that the people, under conviction for sin, asked the question ‘What shall we do?’ Peter told them they must repent and because of this repentance be baptized. This is seen in verse 41. ‘Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.’ Here as everywhere else in the Scripture, these folks were already saved when they were baptized into the church.” This writer goes on to cover a number of cases where baptism took place in the New Testament, but in each case he reaches the same conclusion; namely that all were saved before being baptized!
In all four cases given above it is seen that each teaches a baptism that is not scriptural! In other words, each denomination teaches what is wrong, then, baptizes. How can wrong teaching end in a right baptism? If I believe I am saved before being baptized, then, I am being baptized for some other reason(s). Therefore, I have not obeyed “the teaching of Christ and let us remember, that salvation is within “the teaching of Christ!”
— Frank R. Williams