The Catholic church recently reported that a priest had resigned when it was determined that by changing one word in his baptismal formula that thousands of so-called baptisms were now presumed invalid. Think about that for a moment—a person’s baptism has been reckoned to be meaningless because of what the baptizer said or didn’t say.
From a Scriptural standpoint, what the person administering a baptism says (or does not say) does not necessarily make a baptism valid or invalid. Some have thought that there is a baptismal formula that must be recited before a baptism, but no such formula is specified in Scripture. “In the name of Jesus Christ” in Acts 2:38 is a focus on the authority by which baptism is done, and “into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” in Matthew 28:19 is a focus on the change of relationship that takes place in baptism. Neither phrase is intended as a script for the baptizer. No such phrase is found or commanded anywhere in Scripture.
This latest report from the Catholic church does raise the question, “What would constitute an invalid baptism?” The account in Acts 19:1-5 teaches us that there is such a thing as a valid baptism and an invalid baptism. Let’s consider what the Scripture teaches us.
If the “baptism” was by a method other than immersion in water, then that baptism would be invalid. Sometimes sprinkling or pouring water is taught and practiced as “baptism.” However, by definition (the Greek word baptizo means “dip, immerse, submerge in water”) and by demonstration (read of going “into” water and “out of” water in Matthew 3:16 and Acts 8:38-39), Bible baptism is always by immersion.
If the subject of the “baptism” was someone other than a penitent believer, then that baptism would be invalid. Sometimes the “baptism” of infants is taught and practiced as a valid “baptism.” However, Jesus said that Bible baptism is preceded by believing (Mark 16:16) and the inspired apostle taught that Bible baptism is preceded by repentance (Acts 2:38), which are two things an infant cannot do to be a proper subject for Bible baptism.
If the purpose of the “baptism” is for some other reason than to obtain the remission of sins at that moment, then that baptism would be invalid. Sometimes it is taught and practiced that someone is saved at the moment of faith and acceptance of Jesus, and that they can be baptized at a later time, having already been saved before baptism. However, Jesus said that baptism precedes salvation (Mark 16:16) and it is taught emphatically in the book of Acts that baptism is for the purpose of obtaining the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Bible baptism is always done in order to be saved.