THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM

Usage of the word baptism in the classical Greek period.

1. The English word "baptism" is a transliteration of the Greek verb BAPTIZO which means "to identify". This word was used to connote the identification of one object with a second object so that the nature or characteristic of the first object is changed.

2. Homer (9th Century B.C.) Homer uses the verb to describe how heated iron when identified with water changes it to tempered steel. It hardens the metal.

3. Euripides (5th Century B.C.) He uses the word to describe a sinking ship. As it sinks the character or nature of the ship is changed. A sailing vessel is so identified with the water that it becomes a sunken vessel.

4. Xenophon (4th Century B.C.) He tells the story of how Spartan soldiers dipping their spears into pigs' blood changed the nature of their spears into a warrior's spear.

There are seven different baptisms in the Scripture, but they fall into two categories: real and ritual.

Real Baptism: These are dry baptisms; that is, no water is involved. They are actual and real identifications.

  The Baptism of Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2) The Children of Israel were identified with Moses and the Cloud, but crossed the Red Sea on dry land. It was the Egyptian army that was immersed.

   The Baptism of the Cup (Matthew 20:22; Luke 12:50) Christ was identified with our sins and our sins our identified with Him, thus, a double identification.

  The Baptism of Fire (Matthew 3:11, 12; Luke 3:16) The unbeliever is identified with the judgement of the Second Advent and cast off the earth.

1. The Baptism of Fire purges the human race so that the Millennium begins with believers only.

2. The analogy of the Baptism of Fire is given in Matthew 24:37-41.

3. There are a number of parables about the Baptism of Fire in Scripture:

The Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:34-43)
The Good and Bad Fish (Matthew 13:47-50)
The Good man of the house (Matthew 24:42-51)
The Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

4. The mechanics of the Baptism of Fire are given in Matthew 25:31-46; Joel 3:11-13.

5. The Jews are included in the Baptism of Fire (Ezekiel 20:32-38).

   The Baptism of the Spirit (John 14:20; Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 4:5; Galatians 3:26-28; Romans 6:3,4).

1. There are two real identifications in the Baptism of the Spirit:

First, we are placed into the Body of Christ.

Secondly, we are placed into living union with Christ.

2. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit did not occur in the Old Testament period. It is peculiar to the Church Age, Colossians 1:25,26; Acts 1:5.

3. The Baptism of the Spirit occurs the moment we believe in Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:12.

4. All believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13.

5. There is only one Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is not a repeated experience, Ephesians 4:5.

6. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was prophesied by Jesus Christ before His death (John 14:20) and before His Ascension (Acts 1:5).

7. The results of the Baptism of the Spirit:

Every believer becomes a member of the Body of Christ and receives a position on the team.
It unifies all members of that Body.
It provides equal position and privilege.
It is the basis for our being new creature in Christ.

Ritual Baptism: These are wet baptisms; that is, water is used. However, the water only represents something that is spiritual significant.

   The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) The water represents the Father's plan for the Son to go to the cross.

    The Baptism of John (Matthew 3:1-11; John 1:25-33; Acts 19:2-4). The water represents the salvation of John's converts and their identification with Jesus in His kingdom.

    The Baptism of Believers (Acts 2:38,41; 8:36-38; 9:1,8; Acts 19:2-4. The water represents our personal faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. There is a double representation: First, Our faith is identified with Christ. Secondly, we are identified with the Body of Christ.

1. Those who have been saved. We are saved by trusting in Jesus as our Savior and not by water baptism, John 3:16; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Acts 16:31.

2. Baptism follows our trusting in the Lord: Acts 8:12,13; 36-38; 16:14,15,31-34; 18:8.

1. It is a public declaration of our faith in Christ. When you are baptized, you will be asked if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior?" Your positive affirmation will be a public profession of your faith.

2. It is a public demonstration of our being in union with Christ.

When we trusted Jesus as our Savior, we were placed into the body of Christ. We are joined to Jesus forever. This is a spiritual union that cannot be seen. However, it is as real as the fingers that are joined to my hand. As our fingers share in all that the hand is and does so also we share in all that Jesus is and does. In God's eyes we share in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4-6).

Water baptism is a beautiful picture of our being in union with Christ and shows how we share in Jesus' work. When we enter the water it is a picture of our being in union with Christ. When we are immersed (down) it is a picture of his death. When we are submersed (under) it is a picture of his burial. When we lifted out of the water, emergence (up), it is a picture of His resurrection. Thus baptism marks the unique nature of the Church Age.

3. Finally, it is another way we say to the Lord that we love Him. We are called to imitate the Lord (Eph 5:1). Just as Jesus was baptized so it is our desire to be like him in every way.