The Waters of Baptism

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

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.

What is Baptism?

Calvin

Institutes of the Christian Religion Chapter 15: Of Baptism

1. BAPTISM is the initiatory sign by which we are admitted to the fellowship of the Church, that being ingrafted into Christ we may be accounted children of God. Moreover, the end for which God has given it (this I have shown to be common to all mysteries) is, first, that it may be conducive to our faith in him; and, secondly, that it may serve the purpose of a confession among men. The nature of both institutions we shall explain in order. Baptism contributes to our faith three things, which require to be treated separately. The first object, therefore, for which it is appointed by the Lord, is to be a sign and evidence of our purification, or (better to explain my meaning) it is a kind of sealed instrument by which he assures us that all our sins are so deleted, covered, and effaced, that they will never come into his sight, never be mentioned, never imputed. For it is his will that all who have believed, be baptised for the remission of sins.

Baptism is:

An initiatory sign

Is conducive to faith in Him

Serves the purpose of a confession among men

Is a sign and evidence of our purification

He assures us our sins are deleted, covered, and effaced (erased)

JI Packer:

Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs Baptism: This Rite Exhibits Union with Christ

Christian baptism, which has the form of a ceremonial washing (like John’s pre-Christian baptism), is a sign from God that signifies inward cleansing and remission of sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:25–27), Spirit-wrought regeneration and new life (Titus 3:5), and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as God’s seal testifying and guaranteeing that one will be kept safe in Christ forever (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13–14). Baptism carries these meanings because first and fundamentally it signifies union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:3–7; Col. 2:11–12); and this union with Christ is the source of every element in our salvation (1 John 5:11–12).

It signifies inward cleansing and remission of sins:

Acts 22:16 ESV

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 5:25–27 ESV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

It is a sign of Spirit-wrought regeneration and new life

Titus 3:5 ESV

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

It is a sign of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as God’s Seal testifying and guaranteeing that one will be kept safe in Christ Forever

1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

It carries these meanings because first and fundamentalley it signifies union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection

Romans 6:3–7 ESV

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. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

Our union with Christ is the source of every element in our salvation

Colossians 2:11 ESV

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

1 John 5:11–12 ESV

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

We get baptized because Christ commanded it

Calvin:

Institutes of the Christian Religion 1. The Meaning of Baptism

The first thing that the Lord sets out for us is that baptism should be a token and proof of our cleansing; or (the better to explain what I mean) it is like a sealed document to confirm to us that all our sins are so abolished, remitted, and effaced that they can never come to his sight, be recalled, or charged against us. For he wills that all who believe be baptized for the remission of sins [Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38].

Matthew 28:19 ESV

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

Christ commanded it, and so did Peter command it to new believers

Acts 2:38 ESV

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.

Should infants be baptized?

Paedo Baptism: Covenant based

Baptism replaced circumcision as the mark of a covenant

Therefore, just as parents were responsible to circumcise their children, so should Christian parents today bptize their infants as a sign of their entering into the covenant

Problems:

Scripture nowhere commands this

Baptism does not confer faith

Salvation does not come through baptism

If we want to have an outward sign of our children’s participation in the church, we can dedicate them publically to the Lord

We perform Believer’s Baptism

Baptism should only be done for those who have:

Made a public proclamation of faith

Demonstrated regenerative work in their life

Understand and can articulate what they believe

Can believing children be baptized?

If they can reasonably display an understanding of the faith, and have made a volitional choice to follow Jesus, they can and SHOULD be Baptized!

Sprinkle, Immerse, or Pour?

Reformed theologians held that the highest sign of baptism is regeneration, or the cleansing from sin

Moses sprinkled the people

Certain holy items in the temple were sprinkled

It is a mark of sanctification, or the setting aside of something for a purpose

Baptists hold that baptism signifies the person dying to self and being raised with Christ

This is better illustrated through immersion

Almost all accounts of baptism in the New Testament refer either specifically to immersion or refer to needing a lot of water, which does not seem to indicate sprinkling or pouring was used

We hold to the Baptist View

Immersion seems to be indicated in scripture

Analysis of the original language seems to be heavier towards immersion (although a case can be made for the Reformed position)

Special circumstances may apply

Infirm or immobile person that can’t reasonably by immersed.

How about being Baptized again?

Packer:

Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs Baptism: This Rite Exhibits Union with Christ

The outward sign does not automatically or magically convey the inward blessings that it signifies, and the candidates’ professions of faith are not always genuine. Peter had to tell the newly baptized Simon Magus that he was still unrenewed in heart (Acts 8:13–24).

As a sign of a once-for-all event, baptism should be administered to a person only once. Baptism is real and valid if water and the triune name are used, even if it is of an adult whose profession turns out to have been hypocritical. Simon Magus received baptism once, and if he came to real faith later it would have been incorrect to baptize him again.

Acts 8:9–24 ESV

But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs Baptism: This Rite Exhibits Union with Christ

Simon Magus received baptism once, and if he came to real faith later it would have been incorrect to baptize him again

Those who were baptized as infants and feel conscious driven to be baptized as a believing person should be allowed to do so

Despite all these disagreements among Christians about Baptism, there is something all agree on: We should be doing it!

It is a command of Christ.