Have you ever wondered why Jesus would institute an ordinance so cumbersome and awkward that it is often impractical and even, in some cases, even dangerous?
As a missionary pastoring my first church I found myself with some new believers who wanted straight answers from the Bible. I found that the standard explanations for the meaning of baptism didn't satisfy. They left too many questions unanswered. I had to dig deeper.
The following study is the result of seven months of prayer and research. I do not claim any special divine inspiration, nor do I even claim that this is the final word on the subject. But if it causes some, who may also be uncomfort- able about the standard explanations, to reexamine the scriptural teachings on the subject, then it has been worthwhile.
1. What is Christian baptism?
When Jesus walked in the "Holy Land", he relied on what we know as the Old Testament for his scriptural teaching. The New Testament was not even begun until some fifteen years after he ascended into heaven. The teachings that the apostles received from Jesus, unless he actually said it was something new, all had their roots in the Old Testament. Any New Testament teaching can be better understood and appreciated by knowing its Old Testament origins.
A key verse in the gospel of John that directs us to the Old Testament is verse twenty-five of chapter three. "Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying." This discussion arose after John and Jesus had been baptizing. Why a question about purification? Is there some connection between the Old Testament teaching on purification and the New Testament teaching on baptism?
Pause now and read Leviticus 14:1-7 in your Bible.
Now answer the following question: What did the priest have to ascertain before he proceeded with the rite of purification?
Now read verses forty-eight to fifty-three. In both cases the priest had to ascertain that the person, or the house, was free of the plague. AFTER that he would sprinkle the water of purification seven times upon the thing purified, or person, and would declare it clean.
If we examine other Old Testament texts such as Leviticus 16:14,21; Numbers 8:5-7; 19:11-13, 17-21; Ezekiel 36:25 and Isaiah 66:15-17, we arrive at the following conclusions:
a. The rite of purification is performed by God or His representa-
tive.
b. The elements used in purification were blood and water.
c. The person (or thing) was examined first to see if he (or it) was
clean.
d. The element was sprinkled on the person (or thing).
e. Afterwards he (or it) is DECLARED clean; the rite itself did not do
the cleansing.
f. The rite of purification was one way of being obedient to God.
g. Passing through the rite without the desire of living a life pleasing
to God would only bring about God's wrath.
The application of water has been a part of the initiation ceremonies of many religions throughout the history of man.(1) God ordained that this rite be a part of the religious life of His people too. Most probably God actually started the practice, since Satan doesn't have anything original - only perversions of God's truth.
Looking at the cases of baptism in the New Testament we see that there is no evidence it was anything strange or new. (2) Nobody asked WHY he should be baptized. Why not? Probably because it was administered in the form already common to God's people.
Take the case of the Ethiopian eunuch, for instance, in Acts chapter eight. Evidently he was a Jew in belief, although an Ethiopian in nationality. Upon hearing the gospel of Christ, he must have recognized that the washing that Christ taught represented the true purification - of all his sins. He believed in Christ and was baptized. He began a new life, old things had passed away.
And so teaches the apostle Paul in Romans 6:1-7. Baptism symbolizes the cleansing from our sins when we trusted in Christ for salvation, which signifies that we have crucified the old sinful nature in order to live the new life in Christ. (Galatians 2:20) Ephesians 5:26 teaches that the washing with water (baptism) is for the purification of the church (the believers).
In summary, to answer question #1, Christian baptism is an ordinance institut- ed by Jesus Christ, adapted from the Old Testament rite of purification, in which the application of water symbolizes the washing away of sins.
2. When should a person be baptized?
AFTER believing in Jesus Christ. Looking at the cases of baptism in the New Testament we find that ALL of them occurred after the person believed. (Acts 8:35; 9:18; 10:47; 16:33) The church from the beginning has required a confession of faith before proceeding with baptism. (The first believers being Jews already had studied the scriptures and had a good preparation.) Later on, the period was extended more and more in order to give the believer a chance to have a good basic doctrinal understanding before being baptized. whether the believer be adult or child, he should be mature enough to understand and apply to his life the basic Christian doctrines.
3. Is it important that every believer be baptized?
Yes, if at all possible, because there is much emphasis on baptism throughout the New Testament. Jesus said in Mark 16:16 that he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. It is a very important step of obedience for every believer. In many cultures unbelievers do not take very seriously a believer's profession of faith until it is accompanied by baptism.
4. What is the proper form or method of baptism?
Through the centuries Christian churches have practiced three forms of baptism: sprinkling, pouring, and immersion.
5. Some Christians say that immersion is the only correct form. What reasons do they give for this belief?
a. The Greek word "bautizo" always means "immersion".(3)
b. Baptism is a visible representation of the death, burial, and
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. (Rom.6:4; Col.2:12)
c. The apostles practiced baptism by immersion.(4)
d. In the early history of the church Christians practiced immer-
sion.(5)
6. What errors are there in these reasons?
a. In classical Greek, the first definition of "bautizo" was indeed "immersion". But the New Testament writers didn't use just classical Greek, rather they gave new meanings to existing words in order to convey religious ideas.(6) The word "baptize" then only means a "wash- ing", but with the added overtones of a religious purification. Its use in the New Testament refers to the rite of purification that Christ ordained, which we call Christian baptism.
b. These verses do not indicate anything about the FORM of water baptism. The subject being discussed here is "living victoriously". As Christians we must necessarily identify with Christ's death (and burial) by our putting away the old life (in Christ we consider it dead and buried), and turning to the new. The use of the word "baptism" here refers to the way we became Christians, that is our being "washed" by the Holy Spirit at the moment of our conversion, which is symbolized in the ordinance of Christian baptism.
c. There is NO case of a baptism in the New Testament in which we can be absolutely sure that immersion was used. In fact in many cases it is more probable that immersion was NOT the form used. (Acts 2:41; 9:18; 16:33)
d. There is historical evidence that some of the early churches baptized by immersing the nude body.(7) For a few centuries some churches baptized by immersing the head only, dipping it three times with the person standing in the water. Greek churches have used immersion and Roman and protestant churches have used sprinkling and immersion.(8) During the twentieth century there has been a rise in the number of churches practicing immersion due largely to the missionary effort of those churches with that teaching.
7. Why do some Christians baptize infants?
Infant baptism is based on the belief that baptism is to be compared with the Old Testament rite of circumcision in which God's covenant is reaffirmed to the believing parents, and the blessings of God are partaken of by the children as well.
8. Are there errors in this belief?
While there are certainly some interesting similarities between circumcision and baptism, we know that baptism is not the covenant sign for Christians because Christ said, "This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood, which is shed for you," when He instituted the Lord's Supper.
9. Is the form of baptism important?
Any of the three forms mentioned serves in the symbolism of the ordinance - a representation that the person has been cleansed of his sins. The form is NOT of great importance because the New Testament does not spell out the correct form to use, although there is probably more scriptural basis for sprinkling due to the Old Testament's teaching on purification. The use of water IS important as it is commanded and necessary for the symbolism. Each church or pastor should have the freedom to choose the form most appropriate for his particular ministry and circumstances.
Bibliography:
1. Outlines on Theology by Archibald Alexander Hodge, D.D., New York, A.C.Armstrong & Son. 1902. p.603
2. Baptism by Rev. John Scott Johnson, PhD., Weaverville, N.C., The Southern Presbyterian Journal. c.1950. p.7.
3. Water Baptism: What Saith the Scriptures? by M.R. DeHann, M.D., Grand Rapids, Michigan: Radio Bible Class. p.4.
4. Hodge. p.615.
5. Hodge. p.615.
6. Hodge. p. 609, 610
7. Hodge. p. 615
8. Hodge. p. 615