FOUNDATIONS
The principles of the doctrine of Christ.
Part 4 - Baptism
Part 4 - Baptism
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (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: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1. WHAT IS BAPTISM
Baptism is an ordinance, i.e. an action or observance which believers do out of obedience to GOD. Baptism was commanded by the Lord Jesus. Accordingly, it was practiced by the apostles and by the church throughout history.
Baptism is literally washing with water; throughout the scriptures this has symbolized cleansing from sin and devotion to GOD. Inherent in this image is a change of condition: the impure becoming pure. It must be understood that baptism only represents the work of regeneration which GOD has already done in a believer’s life. Baptism is not efficacious for salvation; it does not save you, and it does not dispense to you anything which is saving. Instead, baptism is a declaration (by the believer), and affirmation (by the church) that GOD has brought the believer to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:38 KJV
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.
Baptism typifies, or shadows, our salvation through Jesus Christ. When GOD saves a sinner, HE takes them from the world, justifies and sanctifies them, and causes them to follow him in obedience. We represent these through baptism by going into the water (leaving the world), being under the water (cleansing), and coming out of the water (coming to GOD). This process is clearly demonstrated by other events in history (1). Noah went into the flood leaving a corrupt world behind, and GOD brought him through the flood to a new world. The Israelites went into the red sea leaving bondage and death behind, and GOD brought them through that flood to serve HIM.
Baptism is a clear picture of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. The very definition of repentance, turning from the world and turning to GOD, is shown by going into the water, and coming out of the water. In every true baptism, the believer is baptized in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. It is a declaration of their faith in Christ; without faith in Christ they shall not be baptized. The baptism of repentance and faith will be discussed later in this article.
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Baptism is a symbol of our being crucified with CHRIST (3). The truly born again, regenerate believer is dead to sin, and lives only to GOD (2). Going into the water of baptism represents our dying with Christ; we die to sin and leave the world behind. Coming out of the water represents our new life that we now live for GOD.
Mark 10:38 KJV
But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
In this text, baptism is used as a symbol of suffering and trials. A trial or test is something that one must go into, endure, and then emerge from. Baptism is a natural picture of this process.
Romans 8:16-17 KJV
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Scriptures are clear that in this world we are to suffer with HIM and for HIM (4). Therefore baptism also symbolizes, and reminds us, that we are to enter trials with and for Christ, and emerge with HIM to glory.
The ordinance of baptism is instructive and symbolic for many areas of Christian life and faith: salvation, regeneration, sanctification, trials, suffering, and glorification. In each of these ways, baptism identifies the believer with Jesus Christ.
2. BAPTISM of REPENTANCE
Baptism is a sign of repentance. Here we are concerned with two aspects of baptism: turning from the world unto GOD, and GOD washing away our sins.
Mark 1:4 KJV
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
A dirty cup or dish that is washed in water comes out clean. When the believer is immersed in the water of baptism, it is a symbol of GOD washing him of all his sin. When he emerges from the water he is cleansed, spotless, as we are spotless when Christ atones for our sins.
When GOD grants repentance to the believer, he turns form the world, stops living as he did, and turns unto GOD. When we enter the water in baptism, we are publicly renouncing the world. We are turning our back on the sin and wickedness of the world, and we are leaving the world behind. When we emerge from the water of baptism, we are declaring that we have turned toward GOD, and that we will follow HIM in obedience.
Acts 22:16 KJV
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of [Jesus].
3. BAPTISM of FAITH
Baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ. Through this ordinance we are professing our belief that Jesus Christ is GOD and Savior.
Galatians 3:26-27 KJV
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Baptism is a physical representation of a spiritual reality; that we have been joined to Christ through faith. That we have been born again, made spiritually alive, and live through Christ. Baptism into Christ is a naturally expression of our faith in Christ. There is a clear contrast between two groups; those who have believed and are baptized, and those who have not believed.
Mark 16:16 KJV
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM
The church administers the ordinance of baptism to those who show clear evidence of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Because the believer is declaring repentance and faith, and the church is affirming them, the credibility of each is at stake. Because of the magnitude and potential impact of this confirmation, the Church must practice careful examination and discipline of its members.
Acts 8:12 KJV
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:37 KJV
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.
5. CONCLUSION
Baptism symbolizes our repentance and declares our faith in Jesus Christ. Those who are not baptized are plainly identified as the unrepentant and unbelieving, who reject the grace of GOD.
Luke 7:29-30 KJV
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. (30) But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
Rather than rejecting the counsel of GOD, let us repent of our sin and proclaim Jesus Christ, being baptized as a public declaration of our total dependence on GOD, and our faith in the Lord Jesus.
Acts 2:38 KJV
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.
REFERENCES
(1) Noah, 1 Peter 3:18-22; Israelites, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4;
(2) Galatians 2:19-10
(3) Romans 6:1-11
(4) 2 Timothy 3:12