Over the years the American Church has become awash with buzz words like “Baptism”, and it is my goal in this series to shed some light on them, so you are not all left saying Okay… But what does that mean?
Throughout my time in Ministry, I have heard all sorts of explanations for Baptism. Some good and some not so good. It was during a conversation I recently had, I was asked to touch on the subject… EEK!
Baptism has a long history in the church with a lot of “tradition” surrounding it. So, to separate the facts from “tradition”, we should start with the definition of the word in question.
So, I guess its time to ruffle a few feathers…
Baptism noun:
- a: a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community
b: a non-Christian rite using water for ritual purification.
2: an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named.
Now if you don’t like that definition, sorry take it up with Merriam- Webster…
The Greek word baptizo (bap-TID-zoh) literally means “to dip, immerse, submerge… Now if you don’t like that definition, you’re going to have to take that up with the Holy Spirit… (good luck)
Baptism is found all throughout the Bible. You could draw a parallel that the Flood in Genesis was a type of Baptism. The whole of the Earth was submerged to purify it for what was to come.
In the same manner the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 and the crossing of the Jordan River in Joshua 3 are also a type of Baptism. Priests were given instruction for Consecration (ceremonial washing/ purifying) in Exodus 29-30 to symbolize the clean slate required to enter God’s presence, and Levitical law required ritual washing.
Now days when we think about Baptism… For some, the first thing to come to mind is John the Baptist. Heck, that is how we know which John you’re talking about… (lots of Johns in the Bible) he’s the one that did all the Baptizing. When you look at the Ministry of John the Baptist, he was preaching a Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin.
In today’s modern Church, we don’t think about the ceremonial washing of elements used in Worship of Jesus. That was an Old Testament law to illustrate God’s high standards toward uncleanness in Temple Worship.
What we do practice is Jesus’s Great Commission to all Believers. “Make disciples of all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”. -Matthew 28:19
In the book of Acts, Peter address the crowd at Pentecost, gives his first sermon, and instructs them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sin (3,000 were saved)
Does that mean Baptism take away sin?
No Jesus did that at the Cross. Peter is fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus and making disciples. Peter understood Baptism was symbolic of one’s outward display of their inward hearts desire to follow Jesus.
I know what your thinking… who can be baptized?
Time to ruffle feathers again…
Not infants…
As clearly indicated, Baptism is the outward display of the inward desire to follow Jesus. I don’t know very many infants that have that kind of decision-making. Most Christian Church’s (sorry Catholics) start allowing Baptism around Junior high age (12). My Church will allow people younger than 12; if the child can demonstrate their reason behind being baptized. My wife and I baptized our oldest son when he was 9. By then he could explain that he understood Baptism had nothing to do with his Salvation.
There is no hard and fast rule as to how old a person needs to be for Baptism. Most Christian Churches use the age of 12 as a guiding principle, because by that age most children can understand that they fall short of the Glory of God. They can understand if, they believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus died for their sins, they will be saved.
Some can do that at a slightly earlier age, and most adults wrestle with it their whole life…
Baptism is not a sprinkling of water, or a pouring of water over the top of the head. Remember Baptism literally means immersion in water. So, if you believe you were baptized as an infant, your grandma said you were saved on that day! You even have pictures in your baby book to prove it, … Nah
Is there anyone that shouldn’t be baptized?
The DEAD!!!
Sorry Mormons… but how can the dead make a decision to follow Jesus? I am curious as to how can the dead show that inward decision?
This silly concept even predates the Mormons. All the way back in the first century Paul had to address this topic. You can read all about it in 1 Corinthians 15.
There is another group that should NOT participate in Baptism… Those that are knowingly living a life of sin.
Baptism is a symbol of Repentance. A turning away from sin. I can’t in good conscience participate in a Baptism if the individual is living in sin. Yes, I have had those hard conversations with people right before Baptism service because of their sin life. They are very hard conversations but ended with some of the most devoted followers of Jesus I have ever met. They just needed the truth in love. That is the hard part of disciple making…
Taking part in Baptism is very special to each believer. I remember when my wife and I were baptized. The people in our life that came to witness it. I also remember each person that has asked me to baptize them personally. Baptism is something all believers should celebrate. And Every Christian Church should have a Baptism service. I also believe every Christian should participate in baptizing people they are in community with. We are called to create disciples and baptize; that’s not just for your Pastor to do.
Because Baptism is the outward display of the inward decision to follow Jesus, it is the only way I know someone has decided to follow Jesus. I believe so strongly in this that if my wife and I were to leave our Church, our first order of business at a new Church would be to be baptized.
With the Bible as our basis of understanding, and everything we have gone over here and now on Baptism, you can see that it is symbolic. However, it is also like entering a covenant (an agreement) with that body of believers. In that covenant, you are demonstrating your willingness to follow Jesus as they do.
Upon your Baptism, you are saying it is no longer I who lives, but Christ in me. The Church you now call home can use the Bible to disciple you and hold you accountable to what the bible teaches. That is what discipleship is. A healthy Church should only use the bible and not their opinion as to instruction of right and wrong…
Now, there is one Baptism I left out, and I think this is the most important…
The Baptism of Jesus Love, Mercy, and Grace… (Sorry Pentecostals)
Following Jesus is the HARDEST easy thing you will ever do!
We make it hard, Jesus does not! In fact, it is so easy Jesus says on multiple occasions to be like little children. Jesus says the birds of the air and the flowers of the field don’t worry about their day. They are totally immersed in Jesus Love, Mercy, and Grace. THAT is a Baptism I believe the American Church needs more of…
So now if someone ask what is Baptism? You can give and lead them in truth. You can even baptize them yourself…
As long as it’s not an infant.
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