Churchy Words: Baptism
Today, we continue our look at words used often in churches but aren’t always explained. Today’s word is “baptism.”
What is baptism?
Why is it important?
Who is supposed to be baptized?
Where did baptism come from?
Baptism is known as a Christian ordinance, but it has its origins in Judaism. When the Lord called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, they landed at the base of Mt. Sinai where God gave Moses the commandments for how Israel would operate as a nation. In that Law, God also gave direction for how the priests could enter the holy places of the tabernacle.
The Lord said to Moses, “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die. They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.”
Exodus 30:17-21
This command for the priests, over time, extended to all the Jewish people. Whenever they ventured into Gentile areas, when they came into contact with things that would make them ceremonially unclean, and, most importantly for today, whenever they needed to dedicate themselves to the service of the Lord, they would go through this washing. This washing then extended to Gentiles who wanted to become a part of Jewish society. Rabbinic teachings required three things of converts: circumcision, baptism, and sacrifice.
The (probably) most common form of Jewish baptism occurred in a mikvah (a large basin with steps leading into the pool) because “living water” (running water) was scarce. As Jews would travel back into the Holy Land from Gentile areas, they would wash in the mikvah. We see the culmination of this practice in John the Baptist who prepared the way of the Lord by calling people to repent of their sins and be baptized. He is actively baptizing in the Jordan River when Jesus comes to be baptized to inaugurate His earthly ministry.
In the Old Testament and up to the first century, baptism was a visual act of cleansing a person from the corruption of this world.
Now, John’s baptism was deficient, and he even said so.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:11
John told the people Jesus would come and baptize with the Holy Spirit, and that is what He continues to do today.
What does baptism signify?
When we are saved, the Holy Spirit gives us new birth. Just as we discussed last week, when we turn from our sin, ask Christ to forgive us and give us new life, that is what happens. The Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and begins the new creation. Jesus told Nicodemus this is how we are able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:3-8
In order for us to see the Kingdom of God, we have to be born again. The first birth is our natural birth—that is the “born of water” Jesus mentions. The second birth is being born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives birth to spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, and because our flesh is corrupted by sin, it can only give birth to further corruption. The Spirit must give birth to spirit—the new creation that can overcome sin because Jesus has overcome.
Also pertinent for today, Jesus says the Holy Spirit works in people’s hearts like the wind—we can see the effects and hear its sound, but we cannot see the wind itself, nor the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, there is no outward sign when a person becomes a Christian. It would be very helpful for evangelism and ministry if there were some physical change, but alas, that will not happen until we see Jesus face to face.
But Jesus did give us the ordinance of baptism that we can perform as a show our new faith. When we are baptized, we are telling the congregation (and whomever else sees) that we now identify with Christ. Our old self is buried and our new life has begun. Paul says it this way:
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:1-4
We are called to crucify our sinful nature each day, as we discussed last week, and that picture of our old self being put in the grave is shown by our immersion into the water. We bury our old selves into the water, and then we are raised to walk in newness of life—a life given through the Holy Spirit.
Christian baptism is a physical act that displays the spiritual truth of our new creation through the Holy Spirit.
Do I have to get baptized?
The pattern of faith in Acts is the Gospel is proclaimed, the people repent and believe in Jesus, and then are baptized. After the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples in the Upper Room at Pentecost, Peter preaches and ends with:
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
When the Holy Spirit led Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch, this is what is recorded:
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Acts 8:35-38
It’s worth noting that the Ethiopian had not been a believer very long before he is baptized.
The only criteria for baptism is that a person puts their faith in Jesus and desires to be obedient to Him.
Now, connected to the question of whether we have to be baptized is whether baptism has a salvific function in our walk with Jesus. In other words, does baptism aid our salvation in some way? One particular proof-text for this position is in 1 Peter.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 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.
1 Peter 3:18-22
Peter says in verse 21 that baptism now saves, corresponding to the water that Noah was safely brought through, however it’s worth noting Noah was saved because he wasn’t in the water. Very quickly, Peter also says it’s not about the removal of dirt from the body, but rather baptism is “an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Baptism is not actually about the water, it is about the conscience of the person being baptized. When a person goes into the water, they are saying “I have trusted Christ, and I want to make this public before God and man.” It is an act of obedience that aids the trust of the person. Salvation has already occurred, and now they make it public.
Baptism does not save a person, but it does embolden a person’s faith by making their faith public.
If you are still not convinced, then what do we do with the thief on the cross?
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
The pattern of faith in the Bible is Gospel, then repentance and salvation, and then baptism. The most important part of that pattern is faith in Christ. Apart from faith, nothing else matters. If you have trusted Christ, then, yes, you should be baptized. If you have not trusted in Christ, then you don’t need baptism, you need Jesus. Without Jesus, you’re just taking a bath.
The criminal’s testimony reminds us salvation is all about Jesus.