Baptism
Baptism: What is all the fuss? |
Many books have been written on the Christian faith but one subject that cannot be found on must Christian books store shelves are those on baptism. There seems to be many diverse views on other subjects that people are willing to write about. Yet, baptism seems to be one subject most people are not willing to dive into (pun intended). However, there are some who were willing to take on the endeavor. Everett Ferguson took on that project with his book “Baptism in the Early Church,” totaling 953 pages including the multiple indexes. Another book titled “Believers Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ” by Thomas R. Schreiner and Shawn D. Wright. Their book is a bit smaller but both cover the subject very well.
If you venture onto Amazon’s online store there is not much to choose from and the majority do not cover the topic in a very mature approach. What is it about baptism that does not create a very dominate conversation with Christian circles such as salvation, discipleship, evangelism, worship, and others? Could the reason be that the process is a “one-and-done” type approach? Let’s face it, baptism isn’t viewed in the same manner as the Lord’s Supper and the usual avenue to taken by pastors to identify whether someone was ready and willing to give their life over to the Lord is after their sermon. Yet, even then baptism is not considered in most denominations at this stage of a person’s life coming into the Lord.
If you take the time to listen to people from various denominations the topic of baptism has various views. Many of these views are generally developed from traditions and presuppositions generated over time in these various denominations. There seems to be a common fear of the validity of baptism and where it fits in the salvation process. The tangent use of Scripture and its misuse greatly shows that there is a literacy problem in the church. I would not go all out to say that people are lazy when the subject of Bible study comes up but basically people are. What is evident is people are comfortable with what they have and there is really no desire to go deeper into the Scriptures.
Some of the comments made about baptism are various. Some say that baptism is an outward expression of an internal change. There is the idea that baptism is a ceremony. Some state that we need to only be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Generally there is the belief that baptism is “works.” Therefore, baptism is not part of the salvation process and can be excluded all together. But does Scripture really teach any of these ideas? Let’s look through the Scriptures to see what is really being said. What harm is there in this, people are saying they are Christians so therefore the Scriptures are the authority of our faith.
A common excuse use to claim that baptism is not required for salvation is that the thief on the cross was not baptized. While he and another criminal are hanging from their own crosses on each side of Jesus people are insulting and mocking the Lord. One thief joins in mockingly challenges Jesus that if he is truly the Christ to save himself as well as them. The other criminal rebuked him saying that Jesus is an innocent man, he did nothing worthy of death. As for them they were guilty for their crimes. He then looks over to the Lord asking to remember him as he entered into his kingdom. Jesus tells the criminal that he will be in paradise that day. (Luke 23)
When dealing with baptism the instant response is that the criminal was not baptized, therefore, we do not need to be baptized. Well something is not considered when making such a comment. First is the condition the criminal is in. The New Covenant has not been established yet. Jesus has not died nor has he resurrected from the dead either. Second, the Holy Spirit has not been sent. Therefore, Jesus had such authority to make such promise. So many who focus on the sovereignty of God also make conditions on what Scripture directs.
Another area that many who oppose the teaching that baptism is connected to salvation is Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The focus by those who oppose the teaching is on “whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Their response is, “see you just have to believe and if you don’t you’re condemned.” This is nit-picking the text. The first part of the text says, “Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved…” Note how believing and baptism are joined together. Without believing, without faith there is no baptism. In addition, there is no option here for baptism. More of that in other text.
The text that stands out the most about the instruction of baptism is in The Great Commission. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20). The first part is the sovereignty of the Lord, all authority has been given to him. Jesus is Lord and as Christians our faith recognizes that authority is the source of our salvation for through him God offers us His grace, which is a gift.
After announcing his authority he directs the disciples and all who are listening to go into the world to make disciples, to baptize them, and to teach them all he has commanded. He finishes by assuring them that he will be with them for eternity. Well there is no argument about making disciple, which can also be in question today (more on that topic in another post) and there is no question about teaching what he commanded, which too is in question in this very topic and will be covered even more in other post. The Great Commission is a directive, there are no options or conditions set here. Jesus instructs the disciples on what is expected of them. Through the book of Acts they are faithful in complying with The Great Commission. So why is there so much arguing over the topic of baptism? Why is there so much fear in doing this part of The Great Commission?
Throughout the book of Acts everyone who comes to Christ is baptized. Never do we witness that baptism is excluded. In Acts chapter 10 we find a group of people who were listening to Peter speak be baptized in the Holy Spirit but had not been baptized in water. Peter then responds with, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (v. 47). Then they were baptized in the name of Jesus. Here is a witness to Peter’s obedience to The Great Commission. Peter did not set a condition or make this an option but followed what the Lord had commanded, to baptize them.
The question that is commonly focusing on is whether baptism alone can save anyone. There is not text that states that baptism alone can but there are some references to that baptism does save you. In 1 Peter 3 we see such comment made. Peter is referencing the historical event of Noah and makes note that it was not the Ark that saved Noah and his family but the water did for it was the water that destroyed the evil in the world. By using this example he states, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” (vv. 21-22) Peter is not omitting the part of faith. Peter is referencing Noah who had faith in God and obeyed God’s instruction to build the Ark.
Another reference is in Acts 22 when Paul is staying with Ananias. After three days Ananias instructs Paul, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (v. 16). Now if you look closely at this text Paul is being told to get up and be baptized. In the Greek this is called middle voice, something the English language does not use. In essence Paul is being told to baptize himself. Now it is not wise to build a teaching or a doctrine on a text that is used only once in Scripture but the purpose for this is to show baptism is not an option to the salvation process.
So what is it about baptism that makes it so relevant to our salvation? Baptism is our obedience to the Lord’s command to be baptized, partaking in his death and resurrection. There is nothing mystical or magical about the water. Baptism I not a right of passage or badge of honor to makes you a member of a club. Baptism is an act of obedience and beginning a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with our Lord. Jesus was baptized to fulfill prophesy. So ask yourself, what is the problem with baptism that causes people to fear it so much? The answer is works. Due to bad traditional teachings based on fear people consider baptism a work on our part, an addition to salvation attempting to substitute the blood of Christ. This simply is not the case.
If you venture onto Amazon’s online store there is not much to choose from and the majority do not cover the topic in a very mature approach. What is it about baptism that does not create a very dominate conversation with Christian circles such as salvation, discipleship, evangelism, worship, and others? Could the reason be that the process is a “one-and-done” type approach? Let’s face it, baptism isn’t viewed in the same manner as the Lord’s Supper and the usual avenue to taken by pastors to identify whether someone was ready and willing to give their life over to the Lord is after their sermon. Yet, even then baptism is not considered in most denominations at this stage of a person’s life coming into the Lord.
If you take the time to listen to people from various denominations the topic of baptism has various views. Many of these views are generally developed from traditions and presuppositions generated over time in these various denominations. There seems to be a common fear of the validity of baptism and where it fits in the salvation process. The tangent use of Scripture and its misuse greatly shows that there is a literacy problem in the church. I would not go all out to say that people are lazy when the subject of Bible study comes up but basically people are. What is evident is people are comfortable with what they have and there is really no desire to go deeper into the Scriptures.
Some of the comments made about baptism are various. Some say that baptism is an outward expression of an internal change. There is the idea that baptism is a ceremony. Some state that we need to only be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Generally there is the belief that baptism is “works.” Therefore, baptism is not part of the salvation process and can be excluded all together. But does Scripture really teach any of these ideas? Let’s look through the Scriptures to see what is really being said. What harm is there in this, people are saying they are Christians so therefore the Scriptures are the authority of our faith.
A common excuse use to claim that baptism is not required for salvation is that the thief on the cross was not baptized. While he and another criminal are hanging from their own crosses on each side of Jesus people are insulting and mocking the Lord. One thief joins in mockingly challenges Jesus that if he is truly the Christ to save himself as well as them. The other criminal rebuked him saying that Jesus is an innocent man, he did nothing worthy of death. As for them they were guilty for their crimes. He then looks over to the Lord asking to remember him as he entered into his kingdom. Jesus tells the criminal that he will be in paradise that day. (Luke 23)
When dealing with baptism the instant response is that the criminal was not baptized, therefore, we do not need to be baptized. Well something is not considered when making such a comment. First is the condition the criminal is in. The New Covenant has not been established yet. Jesus has not died nor has he resurrected from the dead either. Second, the Holy Spirit has not been sent. Therefore, Jesus had such authority to make such promise. So many who focus on the sovereignty of God also make conditions on what Scripture directs.
Another area that many who oppose the teaching that baptism is connected to salvation is Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The focus by those who oppose the teaching is on “whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Their response is, “see you just have to believe and if you don’t you’re condemned.” This is nit-picking the text. The first part of the text says, “Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved…” Note how believing and baptism are joined together. Without believing, without faith there is no baptism. In addition, there is no option here for baptism. More of that in other text.
The text that stands out the most about the instruction of baptism is in The Great Commission. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20). The first part is the sovereignty of the Lord, all authority has been given to him. Jesus is Lord and as Christians our faith recognizes that authority is the source of our salvation for through him God offers us His grace, which is a gift.
After announcing his authority he directs the disciples and all who are listening to go into the world to make disciples, to baptize them, and to teach them all he has commanded. He finishes by assuring them that he will be with them for eternity. Well there is no argument about making disciple, which can also be in question today (more on that topic in another post) and there is no question about teaching what he commanded, which too is in question in this very topic and will be covered even more in other post. The Great Commission is a directive, there are no options or conditions set here. Jesus instructs the disciples on what is expected of them. Through the book of Acts they are faithful in complying with The Great Commission. So why is there so much arguing over the topic of baptism? Why is there so much fear in doing this part of The Great Commission?
Throughout the book of Acts everyone who comes to Christ is baptized. Never do we witness that baptism is excluded. In Acts chapter 10 we find a group of people who were listening to Peter speak be baptized in the Holy Spirit but had not been baptized in water. Peter then responds with, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (v. 47). Then they were baptized in the name of Jesus. Here is a witness to Peter’s obedience to The Great Commission. Peter did not set a condition or make this an option but followed what the Lord had commanded, to baptize them.
The question that is commonly focusing on is whether baptism alone can save anyone. There is not text that states that baptism alone can but there are some references to that baptism does save you. In 1 Peter 3 we see such comment made. Peter is referencing the historical event of Noah and makes note that it was not the Ark that saved Noah and his family but the water did for it was the water that destroyed the evil in the world. By using this example he states, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” (vv. 21-22) Peter is not omitting the part of faith. Peter is referencing Noah who had faith in God and obeyed God’s instruction to build the Ark.
Another reference is in Acts 22 when Paul is staying with Ananias. After three days Ananias instructs Paul, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (v. 16). Now if you look closely at this text Paul is being told to get up and be baptized. In the Greek this is called middle voice, something the English language does not use. In essence Paul is being told to baptize himself. Now it is not wise to build a teaching or a doctrine on a text that is used only once in Scripture but the purpose for this is to show baptism is not an option to the salvation process.
So what is it about baptism that makes it so relevant to our salvation? Baptism is our obedience to the Lord’s command to be baptized, partaking in his death and resurrection. There is nothing mystical or magical about the water. Baptism I not a right of passage or badge of honor to makes you a member of a club. Baptism is an act of obedience and beginning a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with our Lord. Jesus was baptized to fulfill prophesy. So ask yourself, what is the problem with baptism that causes people to fear it so much? The answer is works. Due to bad traditional teachings based on fear people consider baptism a work on our part, an addition to salvation attempting to substitute the blood of Christ. This simply is not the case.
