Be Baptized Every One of You

2012-08-31

This study will examine the usage of the words baptism, baptize, and the other related words. What role does baptism play in the Faith? Let us look at the verses that use the words. This is a work in progress.

The Baptism of John

Matthew 3:11: “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:” The purpose of John’s baptism was in the context of repentance. Repentance is discussed elsewhere, but let it suffice that repentance is simply “a change.” What exactly is this change?

Luke 3:3: “And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;” This repentance is connected with the taking away of sins. We will see later that water baptism itself does not take away sins. So how does it relate to the taking away of sins? Read the following verse:

Luke 3:4: “As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” This is preparation for the coming of Jesus, who took away our sins. We also know this from elsewhere:

Acts 19:4: “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” The purpose of John the Baptist was to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus, who would be the one who took away our sins. People were identifying with the message of John the Baptist and accepting it. You will see that baptism is identification with its respective messenger.

Jesus’ Baptisms

I say baptisms (plural) because first, He was baptized with water by John the Baptist. Second, Jesus refers to his suffering and crucifixion as a baptism. First, let us see His water baptism with John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:13-17: “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 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. 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: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Again we see baptism as identification. We can see why John forbade Him at first. However, Jesus was identifying with the sinful human race. We see that righteousness could not be fulfilled without His association with sinful humankind (John 1:14). Finally, we see that God the Father declared publicly His being pleased with Jesus’ actions.

Now we will consider the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus as a baptism.

Matthew 20:21-23: “And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”

Luke 12:50: “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”

Jesus referred to his upcoming suffering as a baptism. Likewise, this baptism is something that his disciples that would face as well. As disciples of Christ, association with Christ is to bring about persecution.

Believer’s Baptism

There are several aspects of baptism that we should consider. First, only those who have been saved should be baptized:

Acts 8:36-39: “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

Here, the only prerequisite for baptism is believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. A confession of faith by the Ethiopian eunuch was enough.

Second, baptism is being immersed in water. This same passage is significant here, because the two came out of the water. This was not sprinkling or pouring. We see this also with the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:16. Likewise, in John 3:23, we see baptisms where there was “much water.”

Third, baptism is a command:

Matthew 28:19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” When people are taught the gospel, they are to be baptized.

Acts 2:38: “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.” When people who just got saved asked what they should do next, Peter commands them to be baptized, and they do.

Fourth, we know that the believer’s baptism, like the baptisms mentioned previously, have to do with identification and association. In this case, it is identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, and His death, burial, and resurrection. We are baptized in His name (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5).

Identification With Christ

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” (Romans 6:3-8)

We are not talking about the water ordinance here anymore; the context does not warrant it. We now move on to the very powerful aspect of the gospel: being identified with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Being baptized into Christ means to be identified with Him and associated with Him. We have died with Christ, and we have freedom from sin (Romans 6:7).

We are also identified with Christ’s resurrection. When Christ rose from the dead, we read that He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). To be identified with Christ’s resurrection is to have the power of His resurrection life.

1 Peter 3:21: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” This follows an analogy of the eight that were saved in the Flood. Likewise, we are saved by a “baptism,” but this is not water baptism (e.g. “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh”). We are saved by Jesus Christ, and by His purging we have a pure conscience before God. He has removed the debt of guilt from us forever.

Spirit Baptism

Jesus had told His disciples that He would send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to them (John 14:17). By the power of the Holy Spirit we can testify of the risen Lord Jesus (John 15:26-27). He also leads us into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:27) and we can glorify Him through the Spirit (John 16:14). He is the source of power in the Christian life.

1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” By the Spirit we were baptized into “one body,” namely, the local church.

Water Baptism is Not Salvation

Some may argue that water baptism is required for salvation. Hundreds of verses state that one is saved by grace through faith without any mention of baptism. I will discuss the verses that seem contrary here.

Acts 2:37-38: “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? 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.”

People claim that Peter commanded people to be baptized to be saved here. My argument is twofold. First, my argument is that the people were saved when “they were pricked in their heart.” That was the moment they believed; therefore that is when they were saved. Second, they were commanded to “be baptized...for the remission of sins,” or “be baptized... because of the remission of sins.” They were already saved for a few moments, so therefore they needed to be baptized, and publicly identify with Christ because they were saved.

Mark 16:15-18: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Notice that the word baptism is only accompanied with those who believe, and only once. Those who are damned are not damned because they were not baptized; it was because of no belief. The signs follow those who believe, not those who are baptized.

In addition, it is worthy to note that baptism closely followed believing throughout the Bible. Some examples include the Pentecost Jews (Acts 2:41), the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:38), Paul (Acts 9:18; 22:16), Cornelius’ household (Acts 10:47-48), Lydia’s household (Acts 16:15), the Philippian jailer’s household (Acts 16:33), Crispus’ household (Acts 18:8), and the disciples of John in Ephesus (Acts 19:5). Because this was the norm, it is expected to be often coupled with the event of being saved. I was baptized five years after I was saved, which was largely due to lack of instruction and Bible reading. This cavalier attitude toward baptism is something that is practiced by our generation, but this was not always so.

The main proof that people are not saved by baptism can be found here:

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:44-47)

Saved people who clearly received the Holy Ghost were baptized after they were saved.

Quirky Baptism Teachings

Catholics and most Protestants practice infant baptism. This practice occurs zero times in the entire Bible, because baptism is practiced by people who were saved and want to identify with Jesus Christ. Babies cannot comprehend the Gospel, and therefore should not be baptized. There is no reason, however, on stopping a child of four years old who understands the Gospel from being baptized.

Mormons practice baptism of the dead. This practice is also not Biblical.

My guess is that the previously defined activities are done because people believe that baptism has some kind of salvific power, wishfully thinking they can effect the salvation of others by baptizing those who cannot choose to be baptized. The Bible clearly does not endorse these practices.

Some churches baptize by sprinkling water on the head, or by pouring water. These practices are not found in the Bible. This does not seem to be on the same level as the previous methods of baptism mentioned, but are simply misguided. These methods are likely left over from Catholicism.

Conclusion

Baptism is important because it allows us to proclaim publicly our identity in Christ. It is a command of the Lord, and it does not save you. In the Bible, however, it was practiced immediately after someone was saved. Because of these things, baptism is also something to be taken very seriously. If you are saved and not baptized, you should make it a priority to be baptized, because the Lord commands it.