Many of this country’s founders were Christians in the way that the world defines the term. Yet the denominational world, in making converts, generally omits the step in which one is forgiven of sins, gets into Christ, and is saved – baptism (Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). Some practice baptism as sprinkling rather than immersion – burial in water – as the Bible defines it (Romans 6:4). As a result, many people that are called Christians by the world are not Christians in the Biblical sense. This would be the case for the “Christians” that founded this country.
However, there is a possibility that one of the founding fathers may have been a Christian in the Biblical sense by being immersed into Christ. That man was the one who became this country’s first President – George Washington.
“John Gano had been conducting a Sunday morning service in his capacity as chaplain. At the close of the service, he was engaged in a private conversation with a number of the soldiers who were Baptists in their religious belief. George Washington approached the group, and was drawn into the discussion. It seems that John Gano and the others of the group were talking about the “mode” or action of baptism. Washington said, “I am convinced that immersion is the baptism taught in the scriptures, and I demand baptism at your hands.” He further said that he wanted no parade made over it. In the presence of forty-two witnesses, he was led into the waters of the Potomac River, and there baptized.” (Firm Foundation: Was George Washington Immersed?)
Nowhere in the New Testament do we find qualifications for the baptizer, only for the one being baptized. Before one is immersed into Christ, he must believe in Jesus as the Son of God, repent of his sins, and confess his faith (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36-38).
Though the record cited above has George Washington being baptized by a Baptist minister, that would not necessarily mean that Washington would have been baptized into the Baptist church. The article linked above contains the following comment: “George Washington was immersed in the Potomac; but he did not give ‘personal testimony’ which would have made him a member of the Baptist Church.” Also, though he was allegedly baptized by a Baptist minister, “Washington was not voted on by a Baptist church nor did he ever consider himself a Baptist.”
Assuming the account is accurate, does this mean that George Washington was immersed into Christ? He was certainly immersed (again, assuming that the record is true). But immersion “into Christ” (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27) has certain prerequisites – belief (Mark 16:16; John 8:24), repentance (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38), and confession (Acts 8:36-38; Romans 10:9-10). If these prerequisites were met, then yes, George Washington would have been immersed into Christ and would then have been obligated as a Christian to live faithfully from that point forward (Revelation 2:10). However, whether or not George Washington met these prerequisites before being immersed in the Potomac River, we simply do not know.
This is an interesting question. The idea that this country’s first President may have been a Christian in the Biblical sense is intriguing. But in the end, what really matters is what we have done and are continuing to do in our service to God. We must follow His plan of salvation and His standard of righteousness if we want to please Him. The Scriptures are clear that this includes water baptism (Mark 16:16; John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:38; 8:36-38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21).
