BAPTISM

Baptism was used as a ritual in John the Baptist [JTB] days. The Essenes, a strict monastic sect of Judaism, practiced baptism for purification, but normally only non-Jews [Gentiles} were baptized when they converted to Judaism. When the Pharisees questioned JTB’s authority to baptize, they were asking who gave John the right to treat God’s chosen people like Gentiles…John 1:25-26.

JTB’S baptism was and still is a symbolic act of repentance but one would come [the Messiah] who would truly forgive sins, something only the Son of God could do. It is a washing with water to demonstrate cleansing from sin and it is linked with repentance and admission into the community of faith, the Church. Matthew 3.6 amp… and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. John’s baptism was used as a sign of repentance and forgiveness, turning from sins implies a change in behavior, turning from sin toward God. A changed life with new and different behavior makes our repentance real and visible. When you wash dirty hands, the results are immediately visible, but turning from sins [repentance] happens inside with a cleansing that isn’t seen right away, so John used a symbolic action that people could see and understand; baptism. The Jews used baptism to initiate converts so John’s audience was familiar with the rite.

Matthew 3:11…As for me, I baptize you with water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove [even as His slave]; He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire (judgment)… Baptism is an outward sign of commitment, to be effective it has to be accompanied by an inward change of attitude leading to a changed life, the work of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:4…John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins [that is, requiring a change of one’s old way of thinking, turning away from sin and seeking God and His righteousness… The early church took baptism a step further associating it with Jesus’ death and resurrection…Romans 6:3, 4…or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]… In the church, immersion is a form of baptism; that is new Christians are completely ‘buried’ in water to symbolize the death and burial of the old way of life. Coming up out of the water symbolized resurrection to new life with Christ. If I think of my old sinful life as dead and buried, I have a powerful motive to resist sin…I consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as if they were dead, then I can continue to enjoy my wonderful new life with Jesus. See also Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12 and 3:3-15.

In first Peter chapter three verse twenty one, he says that Noah’s salvation from the flood symbolized baptism, a ceremony involving water. In baptism, we identify with Jesus Christ who separates us from the lost and gives us new life. It is not the ceremony that saves us; instead, the ceremony is evidence of our faith in Christ’ death and resurrection. Baptism is a symbol of the cleansing that happens in the hearts of those who believe…Romans 6:3-5… Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been ^[a]baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]. ⁵ For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection. See also Galatians 3:27. 

Romans 13:14 says that instead clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus... How do we do that: by being baptized. This shows our solidarity with other Christians and with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; we exemplify the qualities Jesus showed while He was here on earth [love, humility, truth, service]. In a sense, we role-play what Jesus would do in our situation. See also Ephesians 4:24-32 and Colossians 3.10-17. Don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires by avoiding the situations that open the door to gratifying sinful desires. Baptism is therefore, a symbol of the cleansing that happens in the hearts of those who believe.

According to Colossians 2:11-12, circumcision is related to baptism; some see baptism as the NT sign of the covenant identifying the person with the covenant community. When we came to Christ, we were ‘circumcised’ but not by a physical procedure but a spiritual circumcision, the cutting away of our sinful nature [cutting away the body of the flesh]. Baptism parallels the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It portrays the death and burial of our sinful nature/old way of life followed by resurrection to new life in Christ. Remembering that our old sinful life is dead and buried with Christ gives us powerful motive to resist sin. Not wanting the desires of our past to come back to power again, we can consciously choose to treat them as if they were dead. By identifying themselves with Christ through baptism, Peter’s readers could resist turning back even under the pressure of persecution…1 Peter 3:21…public baptism would keep them from the temptation to renounce their faith.

Baptism identifies a believer with Jesus. Matthew 28:19… Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…baptism unites believers with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and their resurrection to new life. It symbolizes submission to Christ, a willingness to live God’s ways and identification with God’s covenant people. Then, why did Jesus want to be baptized in Luke 3:21-22 and baptism was for sinners? He wanted to identify Himself with those who were repenting of sin- identifying with sinful people. Jesus underwent baptism [and even death] as only a human could; He lived a sinless life and rose from the dead as only God could and His Father approved of Him by sending His Spirit inform of a dove.

Baptism is a Christian ordinance, a washing with water to demonstrate cleansing from sin…linked with repentance and admission into the community of faith. It is figurative of an ordeal or initiation. But, God values reformation above rituals…Luke 3:7. Confession of sins and a changed life are inseparable. Faith without deeds is dead…James 2; 14-16. Turning from sin must be tied to action. Following Jesus means more than saying the right words. It means acting on what He says…like Jesus, John the Baptist spoke harsh words to the respectable religious leaders who lacked the willingness to repent. They wanted to be known as religious authorities and they wanted eternal life but not repentance. Thus, their lives were unproductive.

JTB’s baptism called for repentance of sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus…Acts 19:3-6… And he asked, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ Paul said, “John performed a baptism of repentance, continually telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, [to confidently accept and joyfully believe] in Jesus [the Messiah and Savior].” ⁵ After hearing this, they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and prophesying.  

We see Apollo’s knowledge of only the baptism of John. He had heard only what JTB had said about Jesus…Luke 3:1-18. So his message was not complete story because JTB focused on repentance from sin the first step but the whole message is to repent from sin and then believe in Christ. Apollos did not know about Jesus’ life, crucifixion and resurrection nor did he know about the coming of the Holy Spirit, Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of salvation to him. JTB’s baptism was a sign of repentance from sin only, not a SIGN OF NEW LIFE in Christ. Like Apollos, Acts 18:24-26, these Ephesus believers needed further instructions. Becoming a Christian involves turning from sin [repentance], turning to Christ [faith] and then baptism [becoming like Christ and joining the community of believers].

In the Book of Acts, believers received the Holy Spirit in variety of ways. As soon as they professed faith in Christ. In Acts 19:1, 2, the infilling happened later because their knowledge was incomplete. But when the knowledge was complete [learning about the finished work of the cross], Apostle Paul lay hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and spoke in other tongues and prophesied. By learning about the Holy Spirit, His infilling endorse them as believers, putting faith in Christ and became part of the church. Pentecost…Acts 2:1ff was the formal outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church…the other outpourings in the Book of Acts were God’s way of uniting new believers to the church. The mark of the true church is not merely right doctrine, but right actions the true evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence…Acts 10:45-47 shows the acceptance of Gentiles [non-Jews]. God gives evidence/experience of His power when we share our faith and the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent…Luke 24:47. Confession and repentance is paramount before we can turn to God and be baptized in Jesus Name…Acts 2:38. To repent is to change the direction of your life from selfishness and rebellion against God’s Laws and at the same time, turn to Christ, depending on Him for forgiveness, mercy, guidance and purpose. We cannot save ourselves, only God can save us. Baptism identifies us with Christ and with the community of believers. It is a condition of discipleship and a sign of faith. Many people were baptized after they believed the message of the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ…Acts 8:12. Those who call on the name of the Lord will not be disgraced…Acts 22:16. Our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to makes us clean and our bodies have been ‘washed with pure water’…Hebrews 10:22. This pictures an inward cleansing just as baptism is an outward sign that represents the purification that Christ does inside us, so this washing speaks of an internal cleansing from sin. According to the Book of John, I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the spirit/wind.

Being born of water and the spirit refers to the contrast between physical birth [water] and spiritual birth [spirit]; being regenerated by the spirit and signifying that rebirth by Christian baptism and the water represent the cleansing action of God’s Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5, based upon the redemptive work of His Son, the Father forgives us and sends the Holy. Spirit to wash away our sins and continually renew us. Nicodemus was a devout Pharisee familiar with God’s promise in Ezekiel 36:25. Jesus was explaining to him the importance of spiritual rebirth, saying that people don’t enter the Kingdom of God by living a better life but by being spiritual reborn. Christ cleanses the church by the washing of baptism, a preparation for entrance into the church just as ancient near Eastern brides were prepared for marriage by a ceremonial rebirth. It is God’s Word that cleanses us…John 17:17. JTB’s baptism with water was preparatory because it was for repentance and a symbolism of the washing away of sins. His job was to point people to Jesus, their long awaited Messiah.

However, to enter the Kingdom of God, one must believe with the heart that Christ is Lord and confess with the mouth [repent sin and appropriate the finished work of the cross]…Romans 10:8-12. That’s why baptism is encouraged for only those who understand about repentance, confession and are able to follow through a relation with Him. Baptizing children under this age of understanding is not practical. One can also repent and appropriate the finished work of the cross by faith and still make it to heaven without baptism of water… Luke 23:39-43. He confessed by realizing he is a sinner and asked Jesus to remember him when he got to His Kingdom. Those who call on the name of Jesus will be saved from eternal condemnation when they die having not being baptized. James 5:14-16 also promises salvation for the sick and nearly death when they are anointed with oil at their death bed because the prayer of the righteous avails much…including healing the sick…”Is anyone among you sick? He must call for the elders (spiritual leaders) of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; ¹⁵ and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Baptism is NOT a way to enter the Kingdom of God. The Bible in John 14:6 articulates the only way to have eternal life… Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Jesus Christ is the only way to God.