Believe: Baptism

1. The ordinance of baptism has come from the highest authority—Jesus Christ

First we have the words of the great commission

Matthew 28:19 NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Secondly we see this obedience being carried out by the apostles

Acts 2:38 NIV

Peter replied, “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.

Thirdly we can see that the NT church in the first century were made up of baptized believers. (Read the book of Acts and Paul’s letters to the churches)

Finally Churches all over the world practice baptism as rite of Christian identity and often times membership.

Baptism was not something that John the Baptist had come up with. It was a common practice in Judaism (as was ceremonial washing in some other religions).

By allowing John to baptize him Jesus testifies to its binding obligation though it’s full significance would not be know until after his death burial and resurrection.

Matthew 3:13–17 NIV

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Systematic Theology 1. Baptism an Ordinance of Christ

The only difference between John’s baptism, and the baptism of our time, is that John baptized upon profession of faith in a Savior yet to come; baptism is now administered upon profession of faith in a Savior who has actually and already come

2. The Scriptures are clear on the mode of baptism—Immersion.

-Baptism is immersion and immersion only. Every usage of the word baptism in the NT requires or allows for the meaning ‘immerse’.

-Greek Lexicons--to dip in or under water.

-Full significance of baptism is seen in immersion. Romans 6:3-4

Romans 6:3–4 NIV

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

-Every passage where the word occurs in the NT ether requires or allows the meaning immerse

Language always indicates man put in water not water put on man

Classical treatments of baptism distinguish between the matter and form of baptism, with the matter being water and the form being the invocation of the name of the Trinity in the rite. Both elements are understood as necessary, so that any baptism lacking in either matter or form would be invalid. For example, the use of beer rather than water to baptize Norwegian Christians was declared invalid by Pope Gregory IX.

What about sprinkling or pouring?

Sprinkling & pouring in the 3rd century of the sick and dying was deemed an acceptable exception.

This seems to show that, while the corruption of the N. T. rite began soon after the death of the apostles, baptism by any other form than immersion was even then a rare exception, which those who introduced the change sought to justify upon the plea of necessity.11 Augustus Hopkins Strong, Systematic Theology (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1907), 937.

However over time it became more and more common until it was seen by some as an acceptable substitute.

What if you have you have only ever been sprinkled? I would say that you should be immersed.

I’m not saying that your Christianity up to this point is null and void nor am I saying that you are not saved but I am saying that in your salvation that Bible says you should be immersed.

Acts 10:44–48 NIV

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Acts 19:1–7 NIV

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

3. Baptism carries with it deep and meaningful symbols.

Systematic Theology (B. Inferences from the Passages Referred To)

Baptism, like the Fourth of July, the Passover, the Lord’s Supper, is a historical monument. It witnesses to the world that Jesus died and rose again. In celebrating: it, we show forth the Lord’s death as truly as in the celebration of the Supper. But it is more than a historical monument. It is also a pictorial expression of doctrine. Into it are woven all the essential truths of the Christian scheme. It tells of the nature and penalty of sin, of human nature delivered from sin in the person of a crucified and risen Savior, of salvation secured for each human soul that is united to Christ, of obedience to Christ as the way to life and glory. Thus baptism stands from age to age as a witness for God—a witness both to the facts and to the doctrine of Christianity.

Themes of Baptism represented in the bible

“spiritual circumcision”

circumcision of the heart

new birth

union with Christ’s death & resurrection

washing for regeneration Titus 3:5

Titus 3:5 NIV

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Perhaps the most powerful symbol is that baptism demonstrates that we are clothed with Christ.

Galatians 3:26–29 NIV

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

4. Baptism is limited to those who have surrendered their lives to Christ.

What is necessary

A. Illumination

B. Repentance

C. Confession

D. Regenerate

-Baptism is for those who have begun the process of conforming themselves into the likeness of Christ.

Abraham Lincoln, in his debates with Douglas, ridiculed the idea that there could be any constitutional way of violating the Constitution. F. L. Anderson: “In human governments we change the constitution to conform to the will of the people; in the divine government we change the will of the people to conform to the Constitution.”

Some may be asking, “At what age then should someone get baptized? When they are old enough to know that they need it.

-I’d like to say something about the confession I ask everyone before I baptize them. A confession that should be taken very seriously.

“I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. He is my Lord and savior.