Is Baptism a False Teaching?

As a conversation on Facebook was taking place about the validity of baptism an accusation was made.  The accusation was that baptism is a false teaching.  I have always been a believer in baptism for a Christian.  So, I decided to do a study about baptism myself.  Now please understand I am no theologian.  I am not trained in Bible study.  I have not even been studying the Bible for very long..only a few years now.  But I do trust the Lord to direct my path and to keep my discernment centered on Him and His Truth.  This is what I found...

Baptism-Literal meaning is to cleanse by submersion or immersion.

Jesus started His public earthly ministry by being baptized by John the Baptist (Matt3:13-17, Mark1:9-11, Luke3:21-22, John1:29-33)

Jesus also ended His public ministry by commanding His disiples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel and to baptize those that believe and repent, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Mark16:16)

Baptism is the outwardly witness that we are saved and have been cleansed of our unrighteousness.  Baptism is NOT neccessary for Salvation, but it is the symbol of the cleansing and renewing of our spirits.

There are many verses of NT that speak about baptism and we willl explore those as we go, but here are some questions to keep in the back of your mind as we read through them.

What does this teach each us?
What does this teach against?

In the New Testament baptism is spoken of quite often.  Sometimes it is being spoken of as a baptism of water and other times it is being spoken of as a baptism of the Holy Spirit and other times it is being spoken of in a metaphorical sense.  I want us to take a look at these mentions that I have found and consider them here. 

Matt 28:18-20 Jesus instructs in the great commission to go and baptize. 
Matt 3:1-6, Mark 1:4-5 John the Baptist is baptizing for the remission of sins those who are repentant and confess their sins.
John 3:22-26  Jesus went with His disciples while they baptized in Judea.
John 3:3-8 Jesus is talking about baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:15-16 Jesus says to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel and those that believe and are baptized will be saved.This also shows a pattern of conversion of believers.
Acts 2:38 Peter calls the Jews to repent and be baptized because of the remission of sins.
Acts 2:40-41 Peter baptized those who received his word. About 3000 people.
Acts 8:26-38 Philip shares the Gospel with the eunuch and then baptizes him in the water.
Acts 8:12-13 The sorceror and people in Samaria that believed the sorceror due to his witchcraft also believed Philip as he preached about Jesus and were saved then Philip baptized them.
Acts 9:18 Saul is baptized.
Acts 10:47-48 Peter commanded the new believers after receiving the Holy Spirit to be baptized in water.
Acts 16:31-33 Paul and Silas share the Gospel with the jailer and his household and he and all who comprehend and believe are saved and were baptized.
Acts 18:8 Crispus and many Corinthians hearing Paul preach the Gospel believed and were baptized.
Acts 22:16 Paul recounts his receiving his sight back and being saved and told to be baptized by Ananias.
Romans 6:1-6 Paul is speaking of baptism in a metaphorical way here..as in being totally immersed in Christ Jesus.
1Corinthians 12:2-14 Paul is speaking of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:27 Paul is speaking metaphorically again about being immersed in Christ Jesus.
1Peter 3:20-21 Peter is showing that in a covenant with God the believer that is cleansed from unrighteousness will be baptized to show outwardly that he has a new covenant with God. Peter is not saying that the baptism saves he is saying that the answer to being saved and cleansed is by submitting to baptism in Christ Jesus.


What does this teach us?
  1. Water baptism is by total immersion.
  2. It seals our covenant with the Lord.
  3. Only God/Jesus can baptize us with the Holy Spirit.
  4. Men must baptize with water.
  5. Don't have to be baptized to Be saved.
  6. But you must be Saved before you get baptized.

What does this teach against?
  1. Sprinkling water.
  2. Men cannot baptize with the Holy Spirit.
  3. Baptism as the way to the Lord and the way to get saved.

So, I have come to these conclussions...
Baptism is not a false teaching unless one teaches that baptism is the way to get saved.  Baptism is the answer of the regenerated person.