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Do we need to talk about baptism?
Water baptism is the celebration of a new beginning. For
centuries, transformed men and women have been
declaring their love for Jesus by being baptized. Baptism is
also a moment of celebration and a personal statement of
our faith. It is an expression of our faith in Christ's victory
over sin and death and our participation in that victory
through faith in Him.
Unfortunately, baptism is also a highly confusing aspect of
our Christian heritage. Over the centuries, the meaning of
baptism and the role of baptism in a person’s salvation has
been discussed. Depending upon your church
background, you may have multiple questions.
- Is baptism for children, or is it for adults?
- Should I be baptized more than once in life?
- Must I be baptized to be saved?
- How must I be baptized?
- Where should baptism occur?
The English word "baptize" comes from the Greek verb
baptisma. The noun form of the word baptisma refers to the
process of "immersion” Literally the word means "to dip" or
"to immerse". The earliest time we can find this term is in
ancient descriptions about the process of dyeing cloth.
Fabric was "baptized into” the dye and took on a new color.
As you can see from this definition someone who is
baptized is immersed completely under water.
In the New Testament John the Baptist clearly viewed water
baptism as an act of identification. For him, baptism
indicated a willingness to identify oneself as being a sinner
and to repent from sinful behavior. John's ministry of
baptism polarized the people of Israel into two camps.
Those who were willing to repent identified themselves
through baptism. Those who refused to be baptized
identified themselves as the proud, unwilling to repent.
Johns baptism separated the repentant from the
unrepentant and he used water to do so. Jesus understood
John's "baptism" to be a rite of identification as well. By
coming to John to be baptized, Jesus sought to identify with
the repentant people, whom he came to save.
So, through baptism we identify ourselves with all other
followers of Jesus. We declare that we are entering Christ's
Body; the Church.(Acts 2:38-41; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
Water baptism also illustrates the truth that affects our
transformation. It is a resembling symbol of Jesus' death
and resurrection. As people are submerged into the water,
they illustrate that they lay down their old life; they are now
buried with Christ. As they come out of the water of baptism
they illustrate their resurrection to walk in a newness of life
(Romans 6:1-10).
Does baptism save me?
No one receives the gift of salvation as a result of being
baptized. Salvation is by grace, it is accepted through faith,
and based on the Blood of Jesus Christ. It cannot be a
result of any work, even the work of baptism (Ephesians 1:
3-14). Baptism is purely a public announcement of what has
already occurred in the inner person. It is not required for
salvation. It is not the baptism that saves, but it is "the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and
is at God's right hand with angels, authorities and powers in
submission to him" (1 Peter 3:21-22).However, having said
this we need to notice that Baptism is commanded by Jesus
Christ in the great Commission.
Finally, water baptism is a celebration of joy for the whole
church because we witness someone’s transformation in
Christ. As Baptists we believe that this moment is an
important milestone of commitment. The one who is
baptized proclaims the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in
his life. Therefore we celebrate baptism cheerfully. The
Bible tells us that after being baptized by Phillip, the
Ethiopian eunuch. . . "went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:39.
It is our hope for you that God will reward your faith with the
same rejoicing spirit.
Water baptism is the celebration of a new beginning. For
centuries, transformed men and women have been
declaring their love for Jesus by being baptized. Baptism is
also a moment of celebration and a personal statement of
our faith. It is an expression of our faith in Christ's victory
over sin and death and our participation in that victory
through faith in Him.
Unfortunately, baptism is also a highly confusing aspect of
our Christian heritage. Over the centuries, the meaning of
baptism and the role of baptism in a person’s salvation has
been discussed. Depending upon your church
background, you may have multiple questions.
- Is baptism for children, or is it for adults?
- Should I be baptized more than once in life?
- Must I be baptized to be saved?
- How must I be baptized?
- Where should baptism occur?
The English word "baptize" comes from the Greek verb
baptisma. The noun form of the word baptisma refers to the
process of "immersion” Literally the word means "to dip" or
"to immerse". The earliest time we can find this term is in
ancient descriptions about the process of dyeing cloth.
Fabric was "baptized into” the dye and took on a new color.
As you can see from this definition someone who is
baptized is immersed completely under water.
In the New Testament John the Baptist clearly viewed water
baptism as an act of identification. For him, baptism
indicated a willingness to identify oneself as being a sinner
and to repent from sinful behavior. John's ministry of
baptism polarized the people of Israel into two camps.
Those who were willing to repent identified themselves
through baptism. Those who refused to be baptized
identified themselves as the proud, unwilling to repent.
Johns baptism separated the repentant from the
unrepentant and he used water to do so. Jesus understood
John's "baptism" to be a rite of identification as well. By
coming to John to be baptized, Jesus sought to identify with
the repentant people, whom he came to save.
So, through baptism we identify ourselves with all other
followers of Jesus. We declare that we are entering Christ's
Body; the Church.(Acts 2:38-41; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
Water baptism also illustrates the truth that affects our
transformation. It is a resembling symbol of Jesus' death
and resurrection. As people are submerged into the water,
they illustrate that they lay down their old life; they are now
buried with Christ. As they come out of the water of baptism
they illustrate their resurrection to walk in a newness of life
(Romans 6:1-10).
Does baptism save me?
No one receives the gift of salvation as a result of being
baptized. Salvation is by grace, it is accepted through faith,
and based on the Blood of Jesus Christ. It cannot be a
result of any work, even the work of baptism (Ephesians 1:
3-14). Baptism is purely a public announcement of what has
already occurred in the inner person. It is not required for
salvation. It is not the baptism that saves, but it is "the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and
is at God's right hand with angels, authorities and powers in
submission to him" (1 Peter 3:21-22).However, having said
this we need to notice that Baptism is commanded by Jesus
Christ in the great Commission.
Finally, water baptism is a celebration of joy for the whole
church because we witness someone’s transformation in
Christ. As Baptists we believe that this moment is an
important milestone of commitment. The one who is
baptized proclaims the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in
his life. Therefore we celebrate baptism cheerfully. The
Bible tells us that after being baptized by Phillip, the
Ethiopian eunuch. . . "went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:39.
It is our hope for you that God will reward your faith with the
same rejoicing spirit.