Water Baptism
Considering that this is a Bible course to doctrinally prepare new converts to be baptized in water, we have deemed it necessary to devote a separate lesson to study Water Baptism in greater detail.
Every person who has sincerely repented of their sins and received Christ as Saviour and Lord must fulfil His command to be baptized in water. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Matthew 28:19
Mark 16:16
There are occasions and circumstances when a person cannot be baptized because death intervenes, as in the case of the repentant thief beside Christ on the cross, or because of serious illness, or some similar cause. Such causes, being insurmountable, do not harm the person's spiritual life; but if a person, being able to be baptized, deliberately rejects baptism, then they are in disobedience, and all disobedience is sin, and such a person may lose their salvation.
In Luke 7:30 it says: "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him". But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
So not wanting to be baptized in water as the Lord commanded is to reject God's purposes concerning oneself, and thereby to exclude oneself from salvation. It will help us greatly to study the subject of water baptism if we divide it into five topics: (1) The form. (2) The formula. (3) The candidate. (4) The time. (5) The meaning.
1. The Form:
The Greek word "baptize" (baptizei) means immersion, to submerge, to put something under water.
Christian baptism is, therefore, by immersion. Even those who practice baptism by sprinkling, that is, by pouring, admit that immersion was the form of baptizing from the beginning.
Reading in the Bible some cases of baptism, one can easily understand the following truths:
- That baptism required water. "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?" (Acts 8:36).
Acts 8:36
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 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?
- That baptism requires an abundance of water. "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized". (John 3:23).
John 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
- That baptism requires both the baptizer and the baptized to go down into the water. "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". (Acts 8:38).
Acts 8:38
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 he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
- That baptism requires the candidate to be "buried in water", that is, submerged. "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death". (Romans 6:4). "Buried with him in baptism". (Colossians 2:12).
Romans 6:4
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.
Colossians 2:12
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.
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.
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.
- That baptism requires coming up out of the water. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water". (Matthew 3:16). "And when they were come up out of the water". (Acts 8:39).
Matthew 3:16
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:
Acts 8:39
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.
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 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.
It is evident that Christian baptism is by immersion.
2. The Formula:
The Lord's words are final on this matter. In Matthew 28:19 He said: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost". Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
No one has the right to modify or change this! Sabellius, a presbyter of the Church in the early times, invented a doctrine that does not deny the divinity of Jesus Christ, but makes Him the only Person of the Godhead. He taught that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the same Person; that they are merely three titles for the same divine Being.
The Sabellians baptized in the name of Jesus only, excluding the Father and the Holy Spirit, which was a new fashion in the Church, and for this reason they were called "the modalists". The Church then vigorously rejected this teaching and firmly adhered to the baptismal formula ordered by Christ. (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: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
Modern Sabellians, Unitarians, and "Jesus Only" advocates contend that one must be baptized in the name of Jesus only. They twist the Scriptures by saying that the Apostles baptized in the name of Jesus, and cite several verses in the book of Acts. Such texts do not refer to the formula of baptism, but to the authority of Christian baptism, which came from the Lord Jesus Christ, who ordered it.
In Acts 2:38, when in the Pentecost sermon Peter says: "be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ", he is addressing "Jews, devout men... Jews and proselytes (Gentiles converted to Judaism)... Jewish men... men of Israel... brethren... house of Israel..." That is, although there were Gentiles, the vast majority of the multitude was Jewish. 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. 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. Acts 2:38
Baptism was not something entirely new in the days of Jesus.
- Among the Gentiles many religious purifications were practiced in the form of bathing or immersion in the sea or in the river.
- Among the Jews many purifications and washings were practiced.
They also had the baptism of proselytes, who were Gentiles converting to Judaism. To receive them finally they were baptized. They were introduced into the water up to the neck; the Law was read to them, and when the reading was finished, they were completely submerged, as a sign that they died and were buried to paganism.
They also knew very well the baptism of John the Baptist, which had deeply penetrated the life of the nation. And of course there was Christian baptism, established by Christ only a few days before. Pagans were baptized supposedly by order of their "deities". Jews were baptized by order of Moses. At the close of the dispensation of the Law, Jews were baptized by order of John the Baptist.
And when the Apostles speak of being baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ", what they are doing is establishing the distinction of Christian baptism from all other baptisms; that Christian baptism is not by the authority of any pagan "deity", nor of Moses, nor of John the Baptist, but that its authority proceeds from Jesus Christ. The Apostles are not referring to the formula, but to the source of authority.
It is wonderful that in the baptism of Jesus there was real and evident testimony of the Father (with His voice from heaven), of the Son (who was present in flesh and bone), and of the Holy Spirit (who descended in the form of a dove). (Matthew 3:16-17). 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. 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. Matthew 3:16-17
So it is clear that one must baptize as Christ ordered: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost", because "there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost". (1 John 5:7). For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7
3. The Candidate:
The biblical order for those who may be baptized is as follows:
- "Repent ye, and believe the gospel". (Mark 1:15).
Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
- "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... baptizing them... teaching them... " (Matthew 28:19-20).
Matthew 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
- "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16).
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
- "Repent, and be baptized..." (Acts 2:38).
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.
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.
That is, before a person can be baptized, they must repent of their sins, believe in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, bear fruits worthy of repentance, be properly instructed, and have a clear experience of their salvation.
If baptized before having these things, a dry sinner is baptized and a wet sinner comes out. The fact that the sinner must repent of their sins before being baptized excludes infant baptism.
4. The Time:
The New Testament does not specify any time, but the person must be fully conscious of their new experience with the Lord.
During the apostolic era the act of believing, accepting, and confessing Christ and His Gospel meant persecution, loss of goods, fortune, inheritance, and even life; so the one who believed and confessed was already better prepared for baptism than one who today takes baptism classes for several months.
It is therefore recommended that the candidate be taught, so that when baptized they are conscious of the so important and precious step they are taking.
5. The Meaning:
Water baptism is an objective, visible, tangible, external lesson of an internal spiritual reality. The internal spiritual reality is that the person has died to sin and the world, and "the old man" has been buried, and a "new creature" has risen.
Saint Paul writes: "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". (Romans 6:3-5). 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: 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: Romans 6:3-5
Questions
1. Explain these two situations:
- A person is saved and wants to be baptized, but for insurmountable reasons cannot.
- A person is saved and, being able, does not want to be baptized.
2. State the form and formula of baptism.
3. What does the apostolic expression "be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" mean?
4. State some indispensable requirements for being baptized in water.