The History of Baptism

Jesus Christ commanded the assembled believers to do two practices together as a group, baptism and communion. Baptism to show that as individuals they had placed their complete trust in Christ for salvation and were no longer their own but recognized their place as servants of Christ living for Him. Buried in the likeness of His death and raised to walk in newness of life. He commanded communion when He ate the last supper with His disciples in celebration of the Passover. Jesus commanded thar we continue to eat that supper in order to remember His sacrificial death for us until He returns. We call these the ordinances of the Church because they were ordained by Christ Jesus.

But for our purposes today, was baptism a new thing established by Christ for His the Church?

1. Did Baptism Exist Before Christianity?

The practice of baptism was as we know it was not practiced by anyone before it was instituted by Christ.

However, the word Baptize comes from the Greek word ‘Βαπτιζω’ which means to immerse or dip something in water.

This word was common in Greco-Roman literature at the time. They often used the word when discussing bathing oneself or washing things. Although the pagans used washing in some of their ritualistic practices, the word ‘Βαπτιζω’ did not carry the symbolic religious significance that we see today.

The Jews at the time of Christ had incorporated washing oneself into the process of becoming a Jew. Several of the Jewish sects at the time would require a bath before one could enter membership. This was due to the fact that the God’s Law required ritual cleanliness to be admitted into the temple. If someone had done something to make himself ritually ‘unclean’ then he had to bathe himself and be separated from others until the evening. The priests also were required to bathe during their consecration as priests and every year before they entered the temple. In order to maintain the people’s ceremonial cleanliness when coming to the Temple, the Jews built small pools called mikvahs all over Jerusalem for these ritual washings.

The Jews bathed to show external separation from dirt and grime but had lost the intent of God’s command which can be seen in the pharisee's dispute with Jesus over the disciples eating without washing their hands (Matt. 15:1-20). The Jews focus had become entirely external. It was in this context that God sent John the Baptist.

2. What was the Baptism of John?

First off, I’d like to define the term ‘Baptist’.

A Baptist is one who baptizes. Therefore, to differentiate Jesus cousin John from the other Johns in the Bible we often use Baptist to signify who we are speaking about. The only relevance the term ‘Baptist’ in John’s name carries is that he was a baptizer.

Jesus discussion with the pharisees recorded in Matthew 21 and Mark 11 shows that John’s baptism was of heavenly origin and not just something that came from men. John was the last prophet of the Old Testament who was prophesied by Isaiah to come and proclaim the immanent coming of Christ. He baptized to show repentance from sin an internal change of heart as opposed to the external ritualistic washing done by the Jews.

Matthew 3:1–17 KJV 1900

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John’s baptism was to show a change of heart and dedication to God in preparation for the coming of the promised Messiah who would free the people from bondage. Obviously, Jesus did not have any sin to repent of. However, Jesus told John to allow Him to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. When Jesus came out of the water, God the Father publicly announced that Jesus is God the Son and the Holy Spirit of God descended on Him like a Dove. This is one of the only places where all three members of the Trinity are present at one time. This passage is one of many that supports the Godhood of Christ. Verse 16 says that Jesus was immersed and then came out of the water. Later, in John 3:23, we see that John preformed his baptisms at the Aenon river because there was plenty of water there. This suggests that John’s method of baptism was immersion. John’s Method is the same method we use today and not by pouring or sprinkling as some medieval paintings suggest.

John baptized to evidence repentance from sin, an internal change of heart as opposed to the external ritualistic washing done by the Jews.

3. What is Christian Baptism?

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He appeared His disciples and gave them one last command before ascending up into heaven. We can read this command in both Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16.

Lets looks at Matthew 28 first:

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The word translated “teach” in verse 19 is μαθητεύω.

Lexham Theological Wordbook μαθητεύω

μαθητεύω (mathēteuō). vb. to make a disciple. Used to indicate the action of causing another to become a disciple; the passive forms indicate being or becoming a disciple

In the first century context, people understood what a disciple was easier than we do today. A disciple was one who literally took on the identity of their master/teacher. Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers all had disciples who attempted to mimic exactly the way that their master lived. They would wear the same clothes, eat the same food, and entertain the same habits so that they would be immediately recognizable as followers of their particular teacher.

As a side note, I want you to notice that the word “Name”, in verse 19, is singular even though it is referring to three persons. This is yet another passage that shows that God is a Triune being. The Father is God, The Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Scripture is clear that there is only One God and there are no other gods. Yet Scripture is also clear that these three persons are all God and are distinct persons. So, to explain what we see clearly taught in God’s word early Christian theologians came up with this diagram to aid in a proper understanding of the trinity in a Monotheistic faith.

Jesus was commanding that they go and make disciples for Him from all nations, by baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; while teaching them to follow everything that He taught.

Now, let’s look over at Mark’s Gospel.

Mark 16:15–16 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Some people reading these verses would assume that Jesus was teaching that baptism was necessary for salvation. I would encourage them to look at the latter half of verse 16. Jesus says that belief is the basis on which men will be damned. You might ask, belief in what? The answer is right there in verse 15, belief in the Gospel. Flip over to John 3:16-18.

John 3:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Belief, faith in Christ Jesus, is all that is required to be saved. It is on the basis of faith that men are either saved or damned. Damnation comes on men because of their rejection of Christ not because of baptism.

What then, is the purpose of Baptism if it has no part in our salvation?

Biblically, baptism follows salvation. Baptism shows the inward change that has taken place in the heart of a believer. It shows that one has died to sin and now living for Christ. As such it is not a sacrament, a work done to merit God’s grace. It serves as a public testimony of one’s faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism does not produce any spiritual change in the one who is baptized. We continue to baptize simply because Christ commands it (M.J. Erickson).

When properly baptized by immersion, baptism is an illustration of the death burial and resurrection of Christ. As someone is plunged under the water, it is symbolic of Christ’s death and burial. And he is raised up out of the water it is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. Baptism shows that you are dead to sin, and alive to live for Christ.

Romans 6:3–5 KJV 1900

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

When you are baptized, You are publicly proclaiming that you are a disciple of Christ and recognizing the new life Jesus has given you.

When we look at how the early church followed Jesus’ command to baptize new believers, we see that new converts were baptized immediately after they believed. Peter’s first sermon after the resurrection is an awesome example of this.

Acts 2:37–41 KJV 1900

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Sometimes, people try to disprove the Bible by saying that it was impossible for that three thousand people were baptized in Jerusalem in a single day. Remember those mikvahs that we discussed earlier? They were built all over the trail leading up to temple mount. Because of the Jews focus on external cleanliness, there were an abundance of pools for these baptisms to take place.

Take a look at verse 41. First, the people gladly received the Gospel. Secondly, they were baptized. Then they were added to the Church. Baptism is required for membership to the church because it was commanded by Christ. Baptism is a matter of obedience to a direct command of Christ and is a public show of what He has done for you. That is why we practice believer’s baptism as a Church. Some teach infant baptism, however, if they are not old enough to recognize their need for salvation and repent, giving their life to Christ, then Biblically they cannot be baptized.