Why Water Baptism?

by B.C. Pratt

In Exodus 29:4 water baptism was a cleansing ceremony for the Hebrew priests of the tribe of Levi for their induction into the office of the Hebrew priesthood.

And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

In Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist speaking to the Jews (Matthew 3:7) said,

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Note: Today, how are our sins remitted (forgiven)?

(Colossians 2:14 KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

(Ephesians 1:7 KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

This nation of Israel (Exodus 19:3) was to fulfil Exodus 19:5,6:

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Israel as a blessed nation was to become a nation of priests to go out to preach the Kingdom gospel to the rest of the world (the gentiles). Each individual had to submit to the cleansing ceremony for induction into the priesthood. This is why Peter answered the Jews who asked what they must do to be saved (to avoid God's judgment and to go safely into the Kingdom) in Acts 2:38:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Water baptism was not optional for the priests in the Old Testament (under the Old Covenant) nor for the Jewish believers in the Kingdom program.

In the present Dispensation of Grace many things are now different. No observations or ceremonies are commanded since we are not under the Law but under Grace.

(Romans 6:14 KJV) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

In the transition period from Law to Grace Paul baptized a few but his memory was dim on the subject.

(1 Corinthians 1:16-17 KJV) And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. {17} For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

This being the only mention in all his epistles of water baptism. His emphasis was on the spiritual baptism which all believers have at the moment of belief that Christ died to pay for their sins and that He is their Saviour.

Why don't we need water baptism for our cleansing for service? It's simply because we already have a superior baptism which is spiritual and invisible, performed by the operation of God Himself.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

I Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Every believer receives all spiritual blessings in Christ. These include adoption as sons, righteousness, redemption, sanctification, forgiveness (remission of sins), salvation, justification, baptism, and much, much more, all by the operation of God. What more could we do to be accepted of God than what Christ has perfectly done for us?

Compare what Paul wrote to the Galatians about the practice of circumcision, a ceremony which was to be practiced by Israel, a token of the Abrahamic Covenant to Israel.

Galatians. 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

In Galatia, circumcision was the debated subject. What do you suppose Paul would have told them if the hot topic of the day had been water baptism?

Considering the Biblical purpose of water baptism, why would the ceremony be practiced today? To enter the priesthood of Israel? To have sins remitted? Tradition?

What if we do practice it for whatever reason we have? Under the program of Grace for today, Paul states in that there is "ONE baptism." Which ONE should we prefer?

(Ephesians 4:5 KJV) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Colossians 2:10 states, "Ye are complete in Him (Christ)." How much more complete can one be? The Galatians had believed and accepted the Gospel of Grace but soon became influenced by Judaizers who taught them to add circumcision to the gospel they had been taught. Paul denounced them soundly.

Does not water baptism minimize Christ's FINISHED, COMPLETE SACRIFICE? To add to what Christ has done, and what God has provided for us, is it not to deny Christ has paid it all?

What is your decision? Did Christ accomplish all your need or not?