This week the topic is baptism. That’s it, just baptism. There are so many questions that can be asked and answered about this topic, so I thought I would approach it from several angles.
What is Baptism?
The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines Baptism this way;
“BAPTISM The Christian rite of initiation practiced by almost all who profess to embrace the Christian faith. In the NT era persons professing Christ were immersed in water as a public confession of their faith in Jesus, the Savior. This was accomplished in direct obedience to the explicit mandate of the Lord (Matt. 28:16–20).
Jewish Background Among Palestinian Jews of the first century, a form of ritual cleansing was practiced, one which undoubtedly constituted the foreshadowing of Christian baptism.” [1]
So, without going into the meanings of all the words for baptism in the original text, full submersion is the way baptism was practiced in the early “church”, so that is the way we in the Southern Baptist church carry it out today. I find it interesting that it is defined here as an “initiation”. I have always thought of, and taught baptism, as a imitation of Christ’s death burial and resurrection. It is intended to be an outward expression of the born-again heart of the new believer.
Now we are all on the same page as to what baptism is, now let’s ask another question.
Is baptism necessary for salvation?
The simple answer is no. As I have already stated, the act of baptism is important in the life of the believer because it allows everyone to know that he/she aligns with Jesus Christ and His teachings. Baptism says to the world that we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. That He was born of a virgin (Mary), that He lived a sinless life, He was tortued and crucified for my sins, was buried and rose again on the third day an now sits at the right hand of God the Father to whom He speaks to on my behalf.
See, it is so much more than an initiation. Baptism is an expression of faith. It is important for the believer to take part in believer’s baptism, but it is not necessary.
One of the most used, and I believe best, Scriptures used to make this point is the thief on the cross. Let’s look at this account from the book of Luke. The passage where we pick up the story is Luke 23:39-43.
“39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””[2]
Jesus does not tell the thief that he must first be baptized and then he will be with Him in Paradise. Jesus simply tells the man, because of his belief, and we know that the context of the passage shows that the man expresses belief in Jesus as the messiah, because of his belief, he will be with Him in Paradise. All without baptism.
I could go on asking and answering questions, but I want to leave room for questions and discussion. But let me be clear on my belief about baptism; it should be full submersion as we imitate Christ and It is not necessary for salvation, but it is important to show we align ourselves with Christ.
Perhaps soon we will discuss the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but for now, this is what I have to say about believer’s baptism. Please take the time to subscribe and leave a comment or a question for further discussion I love each of you with the love of Christ and look forward to interacting with you soon.
In Christ,
James
[1] Paige Patterson, “Baptism,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 166.
[2] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Lk 23:39–43.