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“Water Baptism”
There are a few different views that people
will believe in when discussing the doctrine of water baptism. I want to
take the time to both cover some of those views and show what the bible
says about Water Baptism. The things that are most important to most
people concerning this doctrine are: What is Water Baptism? Is water
baptism essential for receiving salvation? Does it matter what the person
baptizing says or what name is mentioned when baptizing? Does water
baptism have to be done at any certain time in a person life or in any
specific way? Who should be baptized? These are a few of the questions
asked by people that I want to cover in this study.
What
is Water Baptism?
The scriptures in the bible answer most of the questions asked
about water baptism. The bible gives us a few examples and instructions
for water baptism. Paul wrote that "as
many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ".
(Galatians 3:27). Paul also wrote in Romans 6:4
"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we
also should walk in newness of life".
When
we give our lives to Jesus, we are making a commitment to serve him the
rest of our lives. In order to do this we will have to crucify and bury
the old sinful nature and be renewed in or “put on” Christ. Romans
6:5-9 “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this,
that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is
freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall
also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth
no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” (Also Colossians
2:12) Water Baptism is one way we show our willingness to leave the old
life behind and live the new life in Christ. As we go into the water we
are testifying to our family, friends, neighbors, and every stranger that
we have made this decision. All shame, embarrassment, or being concerned
about what others might think about us becoming a Christian is crucified.
Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33 “Whosoever therefore shall
confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is
in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny
before my Father which is in heaven.” When we go under the water
this is to testify that we are burying the old life. And as we come up out
of the water, this signifies our rising up in our new life in Christ, as
he also has risen. In bible times this had much more meaning to people as
the understanding was that to be baptized was to commit you life to the
teachings of another, to become a disciple of that teacher. When John the
Baptist was baptizing people, they were both repenting of their sins and
submitting to his teachings about the coming Messiah. Those who were
baptized after this time, in the name of Jesus, were submitting to the
teachings of Christ, becoming Disciples of Christ. All those who lived in
those days, especially after the Day of Pentecost, understood what they
were doing and that they could be marked as a Christian and possibly
persecuted. Many people are being baptized in water today every day. But I
wonder how many people would be baptized if they new they could lose their
lives, be tortured for their confession, or lose all respect, power or
position in their community. Water Baptism today does not have the same
impact that it did then. This is important to remember when arguments are
brought up about this subject, and will also be mentioned again in this
study. The Apostle Paul is one who had to make this kind of confession
when he was converted. Acts
9:18 “And immediately there fell from
his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and
arose, and was baptized.” Paul
had received a revelation of who Jesus really was. After this had happened
he realized that that he had to change his ways and bury the old life and
live anew. This would mean the sacrifice of his power, position and
authority in the community and possibly persecution with those he had
previously persecuted himself. But he willingly went to be baptized in
water to seal his decision to follow Christ. He then mentions later in
his letter to the Church in Corinth in 1 Corinthian
1:13 “Is
Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the
name of Paul?” He is bringing out
that when we were baptized we were confessing the giving of our lives to
Jesus, and not to a man. There is a commitment that should come through
Water Baptism.
After their baptisms, early
Christians wore white robes all through Easter week to indicate their new
lives. Those who had already been baptized wore new clothes instead, to
symbolize their sharing a new life with Christ.
The Command
There are many religious
groups who put so much emphasis on Water Baptism, while others put very
little on it. But the bible does give us commands to be baptized in water.
But do these commands teach that it is necessary in order to be saved?
Lets look at a few scriptures so we can see the commands, and the
misunderstanding many people have in reading some of these scriptures.
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.” There are only a few
scripture given by Jesus on the subject of Water Baptism. Although he did
command it, if it had the significance that many teach then I believe that
Jesus would have spent more time on the subject. But he commanded it, not
because it was necessary in order to be saved, but because it was in those
days a sure mark of a follower of Christ to confess him through baptism.
In those days it may have been something that had to be done in order to
be saved, or otherwise a person may have to deny Christ in fear of
persecution. Today we do not have that fear, but still need to be willing
to commit our lives at any cost. Water Baptism is an opportunity to share
our faith with those who will listen, and so that they will also know
where we stand if they see or hear of our baptism.
Only one other scripture in
the words of Jesus mentions the Water Baptism of the believer. Many will
use this scripture to show Water Baptism as a necessary part of salvation.
Mark 16:16-17 “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” It
is important to notice that he said here in this scripture that “He that
believes and is baptized shall be saved;” But then right after that he
mentions what will follow those who “do” or “do not” believe. He is
talking about those who believe, but does not mention baptism any more.
Although he did mention baptism with believing, it is most likely because
it is something that he has instructed the Church to do as people turn to
Christ, but not necessarily that baptism in itself can save a person. If
this were so then the person who repents of their sin and believes in
Jesus, but dies before an opportunity to be baptized would not be saved at
all, even though he sincerely repented of his sins. But the bible says in
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved.”
John 3:15 “That whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:36 “He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life:”
John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I
say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed
from death unto life.”
Romans 10:9-11 “That if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever
believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
According to Jesus and the
Apostle Paul, the only requirement for receiving eternal life is to
believe in Christ. There is no doubt that this would include leaving the
old life behind and living a new life in Christ. But that is why Jesus
later commanded Water Baptism. Not as an essential act in order to be
saved, but as the testimony of the decision that we have made to live for
him.
We can read several scriptures
from the New Testament, most of which are in the book of Acts, that will
show us that Water Baptism was something that the Church practiced after
the command of Jesus.
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.”
Acts
2:41 “Then they that gladly received
his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls.”
Acts
8:12 “But when they believed Philip
preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus
Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
Acts
8:14-17 “Now when the apostles which were at
Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the
word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet
he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the
Holy Ghost.”
All those
who had believed in Jesus, after they had heard the preaching of one of
the disciples of Jesus, had afterwards been baptized in Water. It is
always present with the salvation experience, but after they had believed
unto salvation. Then they testify of their decision in obedience to Christ
and are baptized in water. In those days it would have meant that their
decision was true, as they do not fear what people think or might do to
them.
Acts
8:36-37 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:
and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be
baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God.” The Eunuch wanted to be
baptized in water after he had heard the testimony of Philip. He asked
Philip saying “Here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?”
Philips only question to the Eunuch was “Do you believe in Jesus with all
of your heart?” I have asked many people throughout the years as a
Christian if they were Christians, and their answer would be, “I have been
baptized”. But baptism means nothing if that person has not first believed
with all of their heart that Jesus can save them from the wages of their
sin. Their baptism was nothing more than a bath.
With
the baptism of the Eunuch there was no others present to witness his
accepting Christ. But more important than testifying to others is the
commitment made between the individual and God Almighty. If a couple who
falls in love decides to get married, the first step they would take would
be engagement. The engagement is a commitment to each other, as belonging
to one another, but can be broken if they felt necessary. But the
engagement is sealed when this couple is married. The commitment is then
finalized. When we repent of our sins and accept Jesus as Lord, this is a
type of engagement. Water baptism is a type of sealing our commitment in
marriage to Christ. We are testifying to others and committing in our own
hearts to remain faithful to Christ.
When,
where, and who should be baptized?
It
has been shown through the scriptures given already that all who believe
in Jesus should be baptized. All those who were saved in the bible were
baptized immediately after they believed. In the bible they just had to
find water somewhere in order to perform a baptism. Some will do it in a
Church baptismal, some may do it in a swimming pool, and others at a
beach, pond, lake, creek or river. If there is water, what should keep
people from baptism?
How should baptism
be done?
Baptism was never done in the bible by the sprinkling of water on an
individual’s forehead, nor was it done to infants or children who could
not make the decision on their own to believe in Jesus. The word baptism
in the Greek is baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); to immerse, submerge; to
make overwhelmed. Obviously sprinkling does not fit with this definition
or the burial of the old nature. Who in their right mind would take a dead
family members body, lay it out in a field, and sprinkle a little dirt on
them. We understand that this would not be proper burial. And proper
baptism is to take the body all the way under. Immersion under water is
the bible way to baptize.
Many
people have insisted that baptism has to be performed using only the name
of Jesus, while others will say “In the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. They will use scriptures in the books of Acts
that appear to show this to be true.
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
Because this is the only command of Jesus to baptize believers, many will
baptize in the name of “The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost”, using those exact words as Jesus himself did. But those who will
oppose this will ask the question, “What is the name of the Father, Son
and Holy Ghost?” Because the bible says that the only name given under
heaven whereby men must be saved is Jesus in Acts 4:12, then will say that
the name we are instructed to baptize in is the name of Jesus. They will
then go to the following scriptures in the book of Acts.
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.”
Acts
19:5 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus.”
With
these thoughts in mind many may be convinced that there is something to
this theology. But there are a few important things to take notice of in
the scriptures. First, in Matthew 28:19 Jesus said “In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, not “Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost”. The “and of the” signifies a separation of the three. He is not
saying that there is one name to be used, but that we are to baptize by
his authority and in the name of the Godhead. It is not the mention of the
name that validates a baptism, but it is the fact that we are committing
our lives to the one and only God who can save us. We are being baptized
in Jesus name, not by the simple mention of his name when being dunked
under the water, but by our confession of him before men. People know what
name to associate our water baptism with because of the name that we speak
of or by the doctrine of the Church. And we surely ought to know who we
are committing ourselves to. Our commitment is to the Lord Jesus.
Acts
8:16 (For as yet he was fallen
upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts
10:46-48 “For they heard them
speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man
forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the
Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name
of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” They
were to be baptized in the name of the Lord. If it were important to say
the name “Jesus” he would have said so here. But there is no special
combination of words or names to make a baptism valid. Each of these
scriptures says something slightly different. It is the heart of the
believer the makes it valid. When I baptize people I will say “In the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and in Jesus name”.
That covers it all! But I do this for the sake of those who may question
things like this, so they know Jesus’ name had been mentioned. But baptism
is done in his name even without the one baptizing mentioning it while
dunking the person under the water. If a person will be bold enough to
testify of how Jesus saved them and what he has brought them out of, then
their testimony of these things to those around shows that they are being
baptized in Jesus name, the one they testify of.
Further information that we have available to us about water baptism in
the first century comes from a book called the Didache (pronounced
as "dih-dah-KAY"). It is known as the “teaching
of the twelve Apostles”. It is a collection of writings from the Apostles
on various subjects, which one chapter does include water baptism.
7:1 But concerning baptism, thus baptize ye:
having first recited all these precepts, baptize in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water;
7:2 but if thou hast not
running water, baptize in some other water, and if thou canst not baptize
in cold, in warm water;
7:3 but if thou hast
neither, pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
7:4 But before the baptism,
let him who baptizeth and him who is baptized fast previously, and any
others who may be able. And thou shalt command him who is baptized to fast
one or two days before.
According to the Apostles the best form
of water baptism would be to use cold running water. Running water is a
sign of life and power. As water runs over us it shows an active force
upon our bodies. This is a resemblance of the moving of the Holy Spirit
over us, cleaning us through the active moving of His presence. We are
cleansed and empowered by His life that flows over us.
Cold water has a similar application,
since cold water represents the purest water that comes from mountain
streams. This is in contrast to still warm water that has not moved for
long periods, which may have contaminants in it. Since water baptism
represents the washing away of sins and being purified through Christ, by
the Holy Spirit, in such resemblances cold running water is best. The idea
is that the water used, if possible, should be pure. Since we do not bathe
with dirty water, it makes sense that we would also use the purest water
available to resemble being purified through the new life in Christ.
The Apostles explained here that if
cold running water is not available, use whatever is available. This
should
avoid problems of how many who would become legalistic by insisting that it
has to be done a certain way, without exception. According to the
Apostles, the rules of baptism methods can be altered slightly when
necessary. Water baptism in its
purest form is not so much an issue of method, but of what happens with
the heart of the Christian. Do we accept this purification? Are we truly
cleansed of our sins? Many are baptized in the flesh, but not in their
heart. Without purification of our heart, water baptism is meaningless.
The symbolisms are only to help us understand what we are doing in
baptism. They have no power in themselves. Yet so many today will fall
into the trap of legalism by insisting that it is performed a particular
way or by saying particular words. This is not different then witchcraft,
which depends on incantations in order to achieve their goals. Baptism is
not a particular method in which a person is saved, but rather an act in
which truly converted sinners freely partake as a testimony of their newly
found faith in Christ.
There are a few types that the Apostles
and early Church fathers used to explain water baptism. A few of these
are; the waters that flooded the earth before the creation; the waters
that flooded the earth in the days of Noah; and the waters of the Red Sea
when the Israelites were being delivered from Egypt.
Creation: Water is the source of all
living things. Without water there could be no life at all. In creation
God created all living things through water and to be sustained
by water. Even from the beginning of every life, whether human or animal,
the seed begins in a womb that is full of water. Even an egg contains
fluids which are made up of water. And every living creature must have
water in order to have life.
In the water of a
womb a child begins to grow,
until the time of birth, when the water will burst force, and the child will
be born into life. Through water a child is born, and through water he
must be born again (spiritually & symbolically).
In the birthing process there is always
stress in passing through into life, as the child passes through the birth
canal. This stress can be compared to the agony of releasing the old way
of life as we enter into the new.
The Flood: The flood has been used to
explain how God used water to deliver Noah and his family. Although water
was used to judge the earth, it also became the source of salvation for
all who were on the Ark. The water had lifted them up, keeping them from
the destruction upon the earth. Noah built the Ark under God’s direction,
just like we under God’s drawing came to repentance. Our repentance alone
did not save us any more than the Ark alone saved Noah. It was not what
men have done, but rather what God has done that saves. Just as the waters
lifted up the Ark, so also we were lifted up through the cleansing waters
of baptism through repentance. As Noah responded to God in obedience to
build the Ark; so also, we must respond to His drawing. Once man responds
to God, He completes the work through cleansing. He cleansed the earth of
all wickedness by the flood, and He cleanses man through baptismal waters.
This is also symbolic of being cleansed by His blood, as sins are washed
away and all things become new (2 Corinth. 5:17). Yet we must always
understand the symbolism in baptism, and how it can only be effective
through repentance of sins and conversion from the past life. Water
baptism never saves anyone! It is only an act by those who have been truly
saved, as an unashamed testimony of faith in Christ.
The Red Sea: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how
that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;”
When the Israelites passed through the
Red Sea, it says here that they were baptized unto Moses. The people
passed under sea level with the walls of water on each side, as the mist
of water covered them. They were passing over from a life of slavery and
bondage into a life of freedom. Pharaoh and his army where buried in the
sea as soon as all the Israelites passed over. This Red Sea baptism was a
likening of what was to come through Christ Jesus, as He would make the
way for whosoever would believe in Him to pass over from the old sinful
life of slavery to Satan, into a life in Christ. The walls of the
cleansing water flood over our sinfulness, old ways, and bondages, and
drown in the baptismal waters. As Pharaoh was defeated by the waters of
the Red Sea, so also is Satan by the cleansing baptismal waters. This is
all symbolic of the new life on the other side with the savior, as the old
life is passed away; and Satan is defeated. All things then become new.
When the scripture
says that they were baptized unto Moses, this refers to Moses being the
deliverer and the giver of the law from God to the people. Christian’s are
now baptized in the name of Jesus (not just a spoken word of His name), as
Jesus is the mediator between God and men, bring grace and salvation to
all who will receive.
Water Baptism = Salvation?
Some people
will use the following scripture in an attempt to show that water baptism
is necessary for salvation.
1
Peter 3:21 “The like figure
whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away
of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward
God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
The
water in reference to Noah refers to the object that destroys the old
life. Just as immersion would represent burying the old man; Rising above
the water in the Ark is like rising up out of the water into newness of life or salvation.
But the only baptism that really saves anyone is the baptism that really
brings this newness of life; which is baptism into Christ. Christ is the
“ark” the raises us up above the sin of this world. When we give our lives
to Christ we must give everything to Him; body, soul and spirit. Through
the 3 baptisms we do this. Water baptism is a type of giving of our body
through the testimony we share, and the commitment before others. Baptism
into Christ is the commitment of our souls to Christ in receiving Him as
Lord and savior. And our spirit is renewed and committed to Christ through
Spirit baptism.
When
the early Church fathers spoke of our baptism, it was obvious that they
were speaking of our baptism into Christ, not water. There is no doubt
that water had its part when we came to Christ, but it is not the act that
institutes salvation. It is a command of Christ just as He commanded the
Israelites to set up memorials, celebrate holy days, and for the
Christians to take communion often in remembrance of Him. Water baptism
testifies boldly to others that we are not ashamed to be called a
Christian. Others can say, think, or do whatever they want; but we choose
to follow Jesus at any cost. You cannot be a closet Christian, and must
proclaim your life in Christ to all around you, or you simply will not be
able to stand. This is true baptism!
What
I have gathered in reading Tertullian's writings, and a few others, is
that they did believe that water baptism was necessary for salvation; but
not just the act of going into the water. He seems to teach that in 'water
baptism', that 'baptism into Christ' and 'Spirit baptism' all take place
together, just as when Jesus was baptized and the Spirit then descended in
form of a dove. Although I do believe that this is possible, and that it
was the way it was experienced then; today there is some separation to
these baptisms, since most are not taken to water immediately after
receiving Christ; and because of the days we live in many have a hard time
receiving the baptism of the Spirit and being sanctified by the Spirit. Tertullian seems to teach the 3 baptisms as a single experience. In such a
case I would agree that one must be baptized in order to be saved, and this
would explain why other scriptures and writings seem to say that we MUST
be baptized in water for salvation.
“Baptism
for the dead”
1
Corinthians 15:29 “Else what shall
they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why
are they then baptized for the dead?”
Many people have been
confused about this scripture. The Mormon Church will actually baptize for
those who have died, in hope that they may be saved through this act. But
Paul is not teaching baptism for the dead. He is confronting an issue in
the Corinthian Church with people who do not believe in the resurrection
of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 “Now if Christ be preached that
he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no
resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead,
then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our
preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” There were cults in
those days that believed in baptizing for the dead, but they did no
believe in the resurrection. He is asking the question “Why do ‘they’
bother baptizing for the dead if there is no resurrection of the dead?” He
was not asking the Corinthians “why do ‘you’ bother baptizing for the
dead?”, but “why do ‘they’ if there is no resurrection of the dead?” The
Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men
once to die, but after this the judgment:” Once a man has died he
is appointed for judgment. There is no chance for the unsaved at this
point. Not even if someone is baptized for them, because they have already
rejected Christ. There are no scriptures to support such foolishness of
baptism for the dead throughout the scriptures. Only the born again
believer can be baptized. It is too late for the dead.
Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye
the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”
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OTHER
IMPORTANT
BIBLE
STUDIES
-Spiritual
Gifts
-Trinity
-Water Baptism
-Heaven
-Hell
-The Rapture
-Spiritual Warfare
-Sabbath Day
-The
Early Church and Calvinism
-Priestly
Sacrificial Atonement
-Soon coming Books
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