The Meaning of Baptism

Introduction

"Why all this talk about baptism?"  Someone asks, "If it is only a symbol than what difference does it make whether you are Sprinkled or immersed?"  Someone else asks, "I was sprinkled as an infant and have always thought that was adequate.  Why should I have to do it again?"  "If baptism doesn't save you, then why worry about it?"

These and many other questions about baptism are sincerely asked by those coming into the church.  Hopefully, the following comments will answer many of them.  In this section we will discuss the method, the candidate, and the meaning of baptism.

How should I be baptzied?

First of all, what is the form or the method of baptism?  We believe that the proper method of baptism is immersion.  The Greek word for baptism is “baptizo”.  According to the Greek dictionaries, the word literally means to dip, submerge, immerse, or bury.

We believe that Jesus was immersed. The Bible says in Mark 1:9 that “Jesus...was baptized by John IN the Jordan.” The preposition “in” comes from the Greek word “eis”, meaning “in” or “into”. Mark 1:10 says that Jesus “came up straightway OUT of the water.” The preposition “ek” means “out” or “out from within.” So it is clear, Jesus went INTO the water and CAME UP OUT OF the water.

For the first 1200 years of Christian history, immersion was the universally accepted method of baptism. Many of the great churches built during those years, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, have large polls in which they immersed their people. Even the Reformation heroes like Martin Luther (Lutheran), John Calvin (Presbyterian), and John Wesley (Methodist) agreed that the accepted New Testament practice was immersion.

First Christian Church is committed to “doing Bible things in Bible ways” therefore our practice is to baptize people by immersion.

Is form important?

Many people find it difficult to believe that the prescribed “form” is important to God.  They would contend that outward symbols are irrelevant to God; He is only interested in what is in the heart.  It is true that God is most concerned about our heart condition, but He often uses prescribed forms to test and demonstrate the sincerity of our hearts (i.e. our faith, trust, confidence, loyalty, obedience).

In the Old Testament cases are recorded where people ignored the form of the sacrifice and offered animals forbidden by law or they had the form right but their meaning or hearts were all wrong (Mal. 1:8, Amos 5:21-25).

These truths can be seen in the New Testament, as well as in Jesus’ harsh indictment of the Pharisees in Mark 7:8-9, 13. “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” He said to them, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Could Jesus make the same charge to us today if we, like the Pharisees, choose to obey those laws or forms we like and ignore the forms that don’t suit us? They may differ from our past traditions, be inconvenient, or even humbling, but if our Lord prescribed a certain form (i.e. immersion as the mode of baptism) do we have any other choice than exact obedience?

What if I've been previously sprinkled?

Many have shared their hesitation in being immersed because this would imply their parents or family members who have been sprinkled are wrong. Consider this story:

A man owned a meat market. He was an honest, trustworthy, respected man in the town in which he lived. When he died, he willed the meat market to his son. The son had the state meat inspectors come out as he took over the store just to check everything out. He discovered his dad had unknowingly been overcharging the customers with a slightly heavy scale for years. Was the meat inspector accusing the father of being dishonest? No, but the son would be if he didn't adjust the scales.

We simply encourage those in this situation to consider what God has outlined in His Word. Obedience to the form of baptism taught by Jesus himself should be an honor.

Who can be baptized?

According to the Scriptures, the proper candidate for baptism is someone who BELIEVES that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Ethiopian Eunuch asked Philip, “Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Philip replied, “IF YOU BELIEVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART, YOU MAY.” Every person in the New Testament who was baptized first believed in WHO Jesus was - the Christ, the Son of the Living God. They also believed WHAT Jesus did - died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was raised back to life three days later.

Closely connected to belief is REPENTANCE. Peter exhorted the people at Pentecost to “Repent...and be baptized” (Acts 2:38).

Repentance means to have a change of mind. It means to make a U-turn or to do an about face.

What about infant baptism?

Since baptism is for those who have believed and repented, we do not practice infant immersion. An infant cannot believe. An infant cannot repent. Hence, we practice “believer’s baptism”. Infant immersion began in the early centuries (by the year 200 A.D.) because of the development and distortion of two doctrines. One is called “baptismal regeneration”, which says that the act of baptism alone actually washes away one’s sins. The other distortion had to do with the doctrine of “original sin”. The church came to believe that an infant was born, not only with original sin, but also with original guilt, which meant that an infant was guilty before God, and God would hold him accountable for his sin. Thus, if the child died, then he was doomed for hell. Since the church believed that baptism actually saved the candidate, they began to do the next logical thing, they baptized babies believing that the rite saved the child if he died.

We believe the New Testament clearly teaches baptism is a personal response of a penitent believer in Jesus Christ. This is only possible for someone who has reached the age of accountability and consequently is old enough to hear, understand, believe, and repent..

Many of the mainline protestant denominations continue to sprinkle infants even though there is no example in the New Testament of such practice. Some consider it an act of dedication for the parents. They say that the infant is being baptized THAT HE MAY ONE DAY BE SAVED rather than to save him. We believe that a child is innocent and if he were to die he would be received into the external presence of God.

What does baptism actually mean?

• First of all, baptism is a PUBLIC DECLARATION OF FAITH. It is a pronouncement of belief. It is like preaching a sermon. It is a public way of saying to both the saved and lost “I have decided to follow Jesus.”

• Baptism symbolizes the CLEANSING OF SIN. Acts 22:16 says, “...be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”

This is why immersion is so significant, it is a complete cleansing in which we are forgiven of all our sin. (see Acts 2:38).

• The submerging beneath the water and rising again out of it indicates OUR IDENTITY WITH CHRIST who died, was buried and rose again for the salvation of the world. “We were buried with Him”. (Romans 6:4). It also represents our coming alive again with Christ from the grave. “...just as Christ was raised from the dead...we too may live a new life…” (Romans 6:4). Our identity with Christ is pictured in baptism.

• Baptism is the means of bringing us into UNION WITH CHRIST AND HIS BODY THE CHURCH. In Romans 6 we are told that we are "baptized into Christ" (v. 3), and "united with Him" (v. 5).  1 Corinthians 12:13 says, "By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (the Church)."

• Baptism is a PLEDGE TO GOD. 1 Peter 3:21 says that baptism is “the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” The Greek word pledge is “eperotema” which can also mean “earnest desire.” Thus baptism is viewed as our earnest desire for a good conscience before God.

• You are baptized “IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT” (Matthew 28:19-20). To baptize in the “name of Jesus” (Acts 2:38, 8:16) means the same as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The phrase “in the name of” means both to call on the character and power of the one named and it means to become the “possession of” the Lord Jesus Christ.

Should I obey?

In one word, "yes."  Please call the church to schedule your baptism as soon as you desire to have Christ dwell in your life.

Is baptism essential for salvation?

To say yes would imply more than what scripture says.  To say no is to presume to be God.  It is safer to say that once a person says yes to Jesus as Savior and Lord, he forfeits all rights to say no to any of Christ's commands.

What do I do now?

Baptisms can be arranged to be performed virtually any day of the week at any time. Typically, public baptisms are performed in any of our Saturday or Sunday worship services. To schedule a baptism, call the church office at 407-847-2543. If you have further questions, or would like to talk with someone about baptism please call the church.

Acts 2:38   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 received the gift of the Holy Spirit."