Understanding Baptism

June 30, 2002 Preacher: Randy Smith Series: Miscellaneous

Scripture: Acts 8:36–39

Transcript

Understanding Baptism

Acts 8:36-39
Sunday, June 30, 2002  
Pastor Randy Smith



As I get more acquainted with this beloved past-time called fishing, the more I am becoming aware of the difference of opinions as to how to land the big tuna. Though there may be some general consensus, many fishermen often have their personal preferences in relation to their practice.

Some practices in the church are also approached in a similar fashion with little agreement. Take baptism for instance. Some believe in baptizing babies while others insist the ordinance is limited to those who are older. Some churches sprinkle, others immerse. Some believe baptism generates saving faith, whereas some believe baptism is a symbol of what has already taken place in a believer's heart. Can we know who is right?

Interestingly, a church I visited 3 weeks ago immersed an adult in the early service and sprinkled a baby the second hour. Their motto: let's just please everybody! After all, how can we know who's right?

But we so quickly forget that God is not a God of confusion. He has ordained the sacrament of baptism, and I would like to believe that He would give His churches specific instruction. And for that instruction, we obviously turn to His Word, the Bible, which is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice.

We are scheduled to conduct 11 baptisms later on this morning. Since I have never taught on baptism and this event may seem somewhat different to our many visitors, I would like to spend the next 30 minutes or so informing you as to what the Bible says in regards to baptism. Let's start with the general and move to the specific.

1. WHY DO WE BAPTIZE?

Jesus Christ, the founder, sustainer and Lord of the church, has commanded His bride to practice two (and only two) ordinances until He returns. One is the Lord's Supper or communion and the other is baptism. In possibly the final words given from Christ while on earth (The Great Commission) we read: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mt. 28:19-20). The church is commanded by Christ to baptize it's converts. Even the Holy Spirit through the lips of the apostle Peter said, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" (Ac. 2:38). There can be no doubt; the authority to baptize comes from the triune God Himself!

There is often a general consensus on the need to baptize. The meaning of baptism however is much debated. Baptism is mentioned so often in the New Testament that I believe some churches have actually placed more significance on baptism than the Bible does! For instance, various branches of the "Disciples of Christ" denomination insist that baptism is the instrument by which salvation is administered. These folks adamantly plea that unless one is baptized, one cannot be saved. Other denominations baptize babies and teach that baptism is necessary for "initial regeneration." But there is not one verse in the Bible which suggests that baptism is necessary for or contributes toward our salvation.

For example, what about the thief on the cross? He wasn't baptized! And Jesus said to him, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise" (Lk. 23:43). What about all ignorant or irresponsible parents who fail to baptize their baby? Is the baby now held responsible if he were to pass in the early years of his life? What about all the biblical verses which teach that salvation is by grace alone through faith based on the sufficient work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Am I so vain to think that I could possibly add something to the perfect and finished atonement of Christ?

Many would agree that baptism is not necessary for salvation, but some go to the opposite extreme and treat the practice as an option. We must not forget that baptism is a command like any of God's other commands. As His children, God wants us to delight in obeying our heavenly Father. And as any parent-child relationship can testify, possibly the greatest way we can demonstrate our love to God is through obedience. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15). And one chapter later, "You are My friends, if you do what I command you" (Jn 1.5:14). Our love for God is directly related to our obedience toward God. Henry Morris went as far to say, "(There is) ample reason to question whether one who refused baptism really had saving faith." This is because saving faith, beloved, is always demonstrated by obedience. Remember James 2, "Faith without works is dead" (Jas. 2:26), not meritorious works, but rather works that validate a changed heart.

Beyond the need to obey God commands, we also baptize new converts because of what it demonstrates to others. Baptism can be defined as an outward manifestation of an inward transformation. In other words, baptism does not save, but it pictures or illustrates or symbolizes what has already occurred by God's grace in a believer's life.

For example, Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins." Biblically speaking, all people apart from Christ are spiritually dead. But when individuals put their faith in Christ's work on the cross and repent from their sin, God promises to make them anew. Christ through the person of the Holy Spirit breathes life into the person. Jesus himself said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again (unless one has new spiritual life), he cannot see the kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:3). 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature ; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." Romans 6:23 summarizes, "For the wages of sin is death , but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Salvation, a gift from God, is a transformation from death to life. It is an inward reality that takes place in every believer's life. Therefore water baptism is given to the church not as a work to contribute to our salvation, but rather as a symbol to illustrate our salvation. In the baptismal waters we are physically picturing a past act which occurred at the moment of our salvation. Baptism demonstrates a separation from the world and a devotion to Christ and a union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. And this act, coupled with a believer's personal testimony is a bold demonstration and reminder of God's saving power. The miracle of a changed heart truly does put His love, grace and mercy on display!

Finally, we baptize new believers in our desire to identify with the Lord Jesus Christ and the practice of the early church. As you know, our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized by John in an effort to "fulfill all righteousness" (Mt. 3:15). Christ always did the will of God. The Apostle John said, "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 Jn. 2:6). Furthermore, the early church faithfully continued the ordinance of baptism. In Acts 2:41 we read that 3,000 souls were baptized in one day! We wish to continue in this rich Christian heritage.

2. WHO DO WE BAPTIZE?

So we baptize converts out of obedience to God's command in an effort to display God's work in a believer's life and to identify with the practices of Jesus Christ and the early church. Second question… Who do we baptize?

There can be no doubt that the New Testament baptism is an ordinance for Christians established by Christ, but there is great debate in the church as to the nature of the participant. Though many churches do baptize babies, we strongly believe that baptism should be reserved for those who have intellectually understood, personally believed and individually trusted the finished work of Jesus Christ.

These beliefs are based on what the Bible teaches on baptism. Throughout all the passages that teach on baptism in the New Testament, faith in Christ always precedes baptism. Let me show you a few in the book of Acts alone. Acts 2:41- "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls." Acts 8:12- "But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike." Acts 8:36-38- "And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, 'Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?' And Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart , you may.' And he answered and said, ' I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him." Acts 10:44-48- While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 'Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?' And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." Acts 16:29-34- "And he called for lights and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.' And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household."

The Bible cannot be any clearer, baptism is reserved for those (of all ages) who hear the Word of God and put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Additionally, every record of a baptism experience in the Bible portrays baptism as an initial act of obedience that immediately follows personal faith in Christ.

3. HOW DO WE BAPTIZE?

We've examined why and who we baptize, final question…How do we baptize?

What you are about to see in a few minutes may be somewhat unique for a few of you. Very shortly, each candidate will be fully immersed in the tank of water that stands behind me. But why…why go through all the hassle of such a complicated procedure? Allow me to give you 3 brief reasons from the Bible.

First of all, as I already mentioned, baptism is a symbol which illustrates what Christ has already done internally in a believer's life. What has He done? He has baptized us, immersed us into His church (1 Cor. 12:13). Furthermore our salvation is a union with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul, "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death ? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death , in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death , certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection " (Rom. 6:3-5). Colossians 2:12 says we have "been buried with Him in baptism." As in any symbolic act, the actions should best represent that which is being symbolized. Only complete immersion accurately and adequately portrays this action of picturing our union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.

Second, the Holy Spirit used 4 Greek words that are transliterated "baptism" or like derivatives in our English Bibles. In its context, each word gives the impression of immersion. Whether it is the baptism of trials or the baptism into the church or ceremonial washings or dipping bread into a bowl of oil, these words in the Bible and in other secular Greek writings of the time imply immersion. For instance, the verb Bapto in every usage means "to dip" or "to dye." The word was used in common language when items were completely engulfed in a liquid to produce a change in color. Therefore, all Greek lexicons give the primary meanings of these 4 words as "dip," "plunge" or "immerse." As a matter of fact, the 6 Greek words that could be translated "pour" or "sprinkle" are never used in connection with water baptism.

Finally, we believe in immersion because all the biblical accounts suggest that was the process of Jesus and the early church. A text we already read: And (Philip) ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water , Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water , the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing" (Ac 8:38-39). In John 3:23 we read, "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there ; and they were coming and were being baptized." Based on the Bible alone, immersion was the mode for baptism. Even those who practice baptism by sprinkling all admit that the mode of the early churches was immersion.

Though my time was limited this morning, I hope this helps all of you better understand baptism from a biblical perspective. To summarize I concur with the words of scholar Henry Morris: "These several factors all demonstrate with clarity and strength that baptism, as a church ordinance, must be conducted by the immersion of a believing Christian in water upon confession of his faith and evidence of his repentance for the purpose of signifying to all the world his identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection."

Beloved, I trust that you seek to be obedient to the Lord in correctly following His Word in relation to baptism. But of first importance I trust that you have personally accepted the finished and perfect work of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of every sin and the sure promise of eternal life, similar to the 11 who will be standing before us shortly.


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