Baptism, rite involving water. The term is derived from a
Greek word meaning ‘to immerse in or wash with water.’ Baptizo is the Greek word meaning dip,
plunge, submerge, or immerse. In
classical Greek it was used of dipping animals or of the sinking of a ship. Christian Baptism means identification in the
Christian faith. In New Testament baptism it involves identification with
Christ in His death and resurrection. Being baptized in the name of Christ
stresses association with Christ in the rite.
2. Views of baptism.
(1) Roman Catholics believe it is the means of
saving grace ( baptismal regeneration). In this view baptism “is a means by
which God imparts saving grace; it results in the remission of sins. By either
awakening or strengthening faith, baptism effects the washing of regeneration.”
The Roman Catholic view is that faith is not necessary; the rite itself,
properly performed, is sufficient. The Lutheran view is that faith is a
prerequisite, but grace coming from baptism. Infants should be baptized and may
possess unconscious faith or faith of the parents.
(2) The Reformed, Presbyterian, and Methodist
view is that it is a sign and seal of the covenant. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s
Supper are “signs and seals of an inward and invisible thing by means whereof
God works in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.…Like circumcision in the Old
Testament, baptism makes us sure of God’s promises.…The act of baptism is both
the means of initiation into the covenant and a sign of salvation.”
(3) The Baptists and others believe it is a
symbol of our salvation. The view of Baptists and others is that baptism is
only an outward sign of an inward change. It serves as a public testimony of
faith in Christ. Baptism is not needed
for entry into the Kingdom, but it is needed for membership in the church and
the taking of the Lord’s Supper. “It does not produce any spiritual change in
the one baptized.…Baptism conveys no direct spiritual benefit or blessing.”
Moreover, it is to be conducted only with believers. Hence, this view is the
only view that holds only believers should be baptized. The other views state
that, along with adult converts, children (infants) should or may be baptized.
3. Infant baptism
Infant baptism is practiced
by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Lutherans. It is
related to covenant theology. As infants in the nation Israel were circumcised
and thereby brought into the believing community, so infant baptism is the
counterpart of circumcision, which brings the infants into the Christian
community. It is related to household salvation some understand the statement, “when
she and her household had been baptized” (Acts 16:15) to mean infants were
baptized.
4. Types of Baptism
(1) Pouring: Historically, pouring was applied by the one
baptizing pouring water three times over the head of the one being baptized—once
for each member of the Trinity. It is argued that pouring best illustrates the
work of the Holy Spirit as stated in Acts 2:17-18 that the Holy Spirit is
poured out. The inference is that although the early church employed immersion,
it allowed for pouring. It appears that both of these modes were in existence
as early as the second century. Further
support for the pouring mode is claimed from early pictorial illustrations
showing the baptismal candidate standing in the water with the minister pouring
water on his head. And finally, in the household baptisms of Cornelius (Acts
10:48) and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:33) it would appear more likely that
pouring rather than immersion was employed.
(2) Sprinkling: In the early centuries sprinkling was
reserved for the sick or those too weak to receive public baptism by immersion
or pouring. Sprinkling was not accepted in general usage until the thirteenth
century. Two precedents are often cited in support of sprinkling. In the Old
Testament, Levites were cleansed when water was sprinkled on them (Num. 8:5–7;
19:8–13). Hebrews 9:10 refers to these ritual cleansings as “baptisms.” In the third century, Cyprian declared that
it was not the amount of water nor the method of baptism that cleansed from
sin; rather, where the faith of the recipient was genuine, sprinkling was as
effective as another mode. Sprinkling
was approved as a substitute form of baptism at the Council of Ravenna 1311.
(3) Immersion: It is generally agreed that the early church
immersed the people coming for baptism. A lexical study of baptizo indicates
it means to “dip, immerse.” This basic
meaning accords with the emphasis of Scripture: Jesus was baptized by John “in
the Jordan” and He came up “out of the water” (Mark 1:9–10). On the other hand,
the Greek has words for sprinkle and pour that are not used for
baptism. The many pools in Jerusalem
would have been used for immersion and would likely have been used to immerse a
large group like the 3,000 on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). Immersion best illustrates the truth of death
and resurrection with Christ in Romans 6.
4. History of Baptism in the Bible
In the Old Testament baptism
was used in the washing rites that characterize priestly preparation for
offering sacrifice (Exodus 40:12, “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to
the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.”) On the Day of Atonement, the
high priest bathes both before and after his offering (Leviticus 16:24, He
shall bathe himself with water in a holy place). Visitors to the Temple should
not enter the inner courts without washing hands and feet. Water washings are
linked not only with religious purity but also with concern for sinfulness and
moral purity (see Isaiah 1:16,wash and make yourselves clean.)
Baptism in the New Testament
begins with John’s baptism, which was a prophetic call to repentance and
forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4, And so John came, baptizing in the desert region
and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.). When Jesus
is baptized, however, it is understood quite differently: it is not for
sin rather it is a self-revealing of God in which Jesus is identified as ‘Beloved
Son’(Matt. 3:13-16, 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to
be baptized by John. 14 But
John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come
to me?” 15Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to
do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As
soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven
was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on
him. 17 And a voice from
heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”). The interpretation of Christian baptism was
fluid in the first century. At Corinth it was compared to Israel’s exodus
through the sea and its eating of the manna in the desert (1 Corinthians
10:1-4). In other places it was compared
with Noah’s escape from God’s wrath on sinners (1 Peter 3:20-21). It was also compared with Jesus’ death and
resurrection; Christians symbolically die to their sins and former lives, a
death they share with Christ, and are buried with him; as they rise from
baptism in purity, they share the new life brought by Jesus’ resurrection
(Romans 6:3-4).
5. My View of Baptism
(1) Baptism, symbolizes the death, burial and
resurrection of Christ, and represents our death to sin, burial with Christ and
resurrection into new life with Him.
Romans 6:3-4, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him
through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the
dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
(2) Baptism is for the remission of sins and the
reception of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38, “Peter
replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.”
(3) Baptism is a means of union with Christ and
renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:3-7, “At one time we too were foolish,
disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We
lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of
God our Savior appeared, 5 he
saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his
mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy
Spirit, 6 whom he poured
out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by
his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
(4) Baptism by its-self does not save; Christ
does.
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can
boast.”
(5) Baptism is a showing of our acceptance of
Christ as Savior and Lord.
Acts 8:12, “But when they believed Philip as he preached
the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women.”
(6) Baptism is the point when we can be confident
of God’s forgiveness.
1 Peter 3:21, “and this water symbolizes baptism that now
saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of
a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
(7) Baptism is performed as soon as someone has
surrendered to Christ.
Acts 8:36-38, “As they traveled along the road, they came
to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be
baptized?” 38 And he gave
orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the
water and Philip baptized him.
(8) Baptism is to be in the name of the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19, “19 Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
(9) Baptism is for those who are capable of
understanding the significance.
Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
(10) Baptism is the rebirth from sin to a new
life.
John 3:4-5, “How can a man be born when he is old?”
Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb
to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can
enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
(11) Baptism is the first act of obedience and a
symbol of membership.
Acts 2:41. “Those who accepted his
message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that
day.”
(12) Baptism is by immersion and only for those
old enough to believe.
