This is an intriguing topic for me as I have struggled with it in my personal life. When my son was born my wife and I had little connection with any particular church. I decided it would be hypocritical just baptizing him at a random church to get it done. In the process of that decision I questioned my beliefs and the importance of faith and my ability to pass that faith or lack of to my children. The perceived need for a ritual that I knew nothing about laid on my heart with a need to feel peace about it. The Holy Spirit was constantly working on my heart to get connected with fellow believers and that led to some Scripture reading. (NIV, n.d.) Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version (NIV) “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Ultimately leading me to Grace United Methodist Church in Glenwood.
What does my going to church have to do with this topic? Everything! Without the stirring of the Holy Spirit and the question of how and when to baptize I may not have been reconnected with God at all. This led to an informed decision on when my son Andrew was to be baptized. My determination was, that when he reached an age where he could profess his faith. Although my decision was made I prayed over it many times hoping to gain more knowledge. Many of the verses I looked up and some of the thought process used came from the textbook (Grudem, 1999) in the chapter 27.
The Word Baptize-
(Edward w. Goodrick, John R. Kohlenberger III, 1999) Baptize is used 77 times in the New Testament.
Baptizó: to dip, sink
Original Word: βαπτίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: baptizó
Phonetic Spelling: (bap-tid'-zo)
Short Definition: I dip, submerge, baptize
Definition: lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.
Now that we see that the word used in Scripture, is generally immersed or dipped. I will attempt to attain the answer in water or was Jesus referring to the immersion into the Holy Spirit and relationship with Jesus himself. John the Baptist says quite plainly that he is baptizing in water and that what he is doing is unworthy compared to what is coming. Luke 3 (NIV) “16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
This verse does not imply that Jesus will dip us in anything but the Holy Spirit and fire. Does this mean that once Jesus has done what he has come to do that water baptism in not valid? Based on this, I will attempt to determine if baptism is required and when it should be done.
Matthew 28 New International Version (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Again another verse with no mention of water at all just the name of the Trinity is enough here. Are we so gullible that we have been taught a ritual that is not a necessary part of God’s plan for our salvation?
It sounds to me as Jesus was mocking James and John when he said in Mark 10: 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
In this verse Jesus rebukes them for wanting favor, and the lesson is more about putting the least ahead of you. Still there is no mention of water only a reference to his baptism when the Holy Spirit came to him.
Luke 12: (NIV) 49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!”
Here Jesus is talking about the baptism of suffering that he will endure for our salvation. Also the ultimate destruction of those who do not believe. Still no mention of water or when it should happen.
Acts 19 (NIV) 19 “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.”
In this verse Paul pretty much says that John’s baptism really has no effect on the receiving of the Holy Spirit. Only when baptizing in the name is mentioned was the Holy Spirit revealed. There is nothing about water in connection to the gift.
Below is yet another verse that says baptized in Christ Jesus and failing to mention water. I am starting to notice a pattern however that it is a chosen act and not one that is chosen for you.
Romans 6:3 – 4 (NIV)
3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
None of the Scripture so far has dealt with the baptizing of infants, as a matter of fact there is no mention of infants being baptized in all of the scripture verses that I looked up. There were at least two instances of whole households being baptized but no mention of infants. I have come to a point that I will research other avenues of tradition, speculation and theory. In pointing out that there really is not water connected to the receiving of the Holy Spirit is to convince you that baptism is an act of faith, not a law. There will be no definitive answer in my paper however due to no apparent biblical evidence that baptism is required for rebirth in and through Christ.
No apparent Scriptural evidence does not mean that it is not important to the church or the individual believer.
Baptism of the infant-
1. The Roman Catholic view is that it is necessary for salvation and the act itself causes regeneration. This is a very time honored tradition within a very old body of Christ. (Bd. P.379) The verse that they base this on comes from Jesus and Nicodemus’ conversation. (NIV, n.d.) John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
2. Jesus did not receive the Holy Spirit until he was baptized by John. Symbolically representing the death and purification of our sins and resurrection of new life. (NIV, n.d.) Matthew 3: 16 “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”
3. When baptizing or Christening of a child takes place, the believers (parents or congregation) are committing that child to our Heavenly Father under the new covenant of Jesus and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. (NIV, n.d.) Luke 18: 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
4. You are getting a commitment from your Christian brothers and sisters to help you raise the child as one of Christ’s children. Bringing them up in the ways of Christ’s teachings and the Church.
5. There were children in the New Testament that were baptized we just don’t know how old they were. Acts 16:33 NIV “At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all of his household were baptized.” (NIV, n.d.) Acts 2:38-41 38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
6. This is an outward commitment of the parental trust in that Jesus will be holding your child until the child can profess or deny their faith of their own free will.
Professing Believers Baptism-.
1. Outward sign that you believe in Jesus Christ and are aware of what he did for your benefit. This is a time in your life you can make a believable profession of faith that determines your commitment to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The following verse was my deciding factor that water was the way for us to acknowledge our commitment to the Triune. (NIV, n.d.) Acts 8:38 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
2. You establish a commitment to other believers that you will live a Christian life and that they should hold you accountable for your actions.
3. Symbolizing of your willingness to be renewed and filled with the Holy Spirit.
4. Jesus commanded baptism. Mat 28:19 (NIV, n.d.)“19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
5. Mark 16:16 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
6. Simple act of faith
7. Jesus was baptized and if we are walking in his ways how could being baptized be wrong?
8. This is a time during your walk that when a believable profession of faith is given it may be enhanced by baptism.
Is baptism necessary for salvation?
(Graham, n.d.) Mr. Graham has stated: “I believe baptism is important, and I have been baptized. But I think we violate the Scriptures when we make baptism the prime requirement for salvation … Paul’s central theme was Christ and His saving power. Although he spoke of baptism, he said: ‘I thank God that I baptized none of you … lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name’ (1 Corinthians 1:14-15).”
“Baptism is a conclusive act of obedience and witness to the world that we are Christ’s. I believe in it wholeheartedly. In our crusades we don’t baptize because we feel that this should be done by the local pastors—and that if I baptized, some people would say they had been baptized by me, and that would be putting the emphasis on the wrong person. To one who has received Christ, baptism is a necessary and meaningful experience. But, I must say with Paul: ‘Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel’ (1 Corinthians 1:17).”
(Swindoll, n.d.) “The Body of Christ We know the Lord is continuing to enlarge His family, the universal body of Christ, over which He rules as Head. The body of Christ is the ever-enlarging universal church consisting of true believers in heaven and on earth over whom Jesus Christ reigns as Lord. Regardless of denomination, all true believers are spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body and are therefore spiritually united with Him and with one another.”
In conclusion I would like to point out that as Christians it may be dangerous to bring up a topic that has divided many families and congregations. (Feddes) “Christians might be divided against each other. Christians don't all agree about infant baptism, so if they focus more on this area of disagreement than on their unity in Jesus Christ, it can cause division. A second, related danger is that if Christians disagree openly with each other, it can become an excuse for non-Christians to ignore Jesus and the Bible. Why pay attention to Christianity if Christians can't agree among themselves what to believe?” I believe if we look past the ritual itself and look at it as a profession of faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit it does not matter when, or who it is done to, only that the faith is strong enough to commit. Christ did not come to divide us by rituals but unite us in love.