SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1248

“Baptism”

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17

I was raised in a religious tradition that baptized infants. When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was born again by the Holy Spirit 30 years later, I resisted the notion that I needed to be baptized again. Then after studying God’s Word, it became clear that I should indeed be baptized.

The Word of God is clear on the topic of a believer’s baptism. Confusion stems from the plethora of Christian denominational divisions and conflicting doctrines on the topic.

What is Baptism?

Baptism is a Christian believer’s act of publicly affirming their faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ. Infant baptism has no Scriptural basis since an infant cannot publicly affirm their faith. They have not reached the age of decision.

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. – Acts 2:41

How is Baptism performed?

Baptism involves water: sprinkled, poured, or immersed into. The believer declares their faith and obedience to Jesus as their Lord. Water symbolizes the need for our sin to be washed clean and that by our repentance and faith in Jesus our sin has been taken away. In immersion, it symbolizes dying to sin and rising to a new life in Christ.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:3-4

We err when we get tangled up in debates and doctrines of sprinkling vs pouring vs immersion. Such arguments serve only to divide the Body of Christ and they totally miss the point of Baptism as a believer’s public proclamation of their unity with Jesus Christ as their savior as well as their unity in the church body of believers.

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. – Titus 3:9

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

Contrary to some church traditions, I believe the short answer to this question is, No. Jesus told the thief who was crucified alongside of Him that because of His expression of faith that he would be saved. The thief was never baptized.

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:42-43

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Why Should a Believer be Baptized?

As a believer in Jesus, saved by grace and born again by the Spirit of God, I chose to be baptized because of my commitment to follow Him and obey His commandments.

OBEDIENCE

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” – John 8:29

Jesus’ life example was of perfect obedience to His Father. At the start of His ministry Jesus chose to be baptized by John ‘to fulfill all righteousness.’  In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to ‘Go’, ‘Make Disciples’, ‘Baptize’, and ‘Teach’.

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice… – 1 Samuel 15:22

If I am following Jesus as a Christian, my first step is to be baptized.

PUBLIC PROFESSION

It has been said that our faith is a personal matter between us and God. However, our faith is never private.

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 10:32-33

In Baptism, we make a public proclamation of our faith and salvation through Jesus. This links us to the church body of believers in the Spirit.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:4-6

Baptism is our first step in proclaiming our faith, initially in the safe confines of the church community to be followed by the witness of our testimony and the presence of Christ in us as we interact in this world in the context of the Great Commission but remain not part of it.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

FORMAL COMMITMENT

When one gets married, one traditionally wears a wedding ring. The ring is a symbol of commitment to one’s spouse and to God.

Although there is no outward physical symbol following our baptism, it is nevertheless a rite of passage that remains a reminder to us of our formal commitment to follow Christ and to live in obedience to Him as He lived in obedience to the Father.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. – Galatians 3:27

May the Word of His grace build you up in faith and obedience as you choose to follow Christ in this world and into eternity with Him.