Basic Teachings – Baptism I

Baptism is one of those Christian rituals that are often disagreed upon within the church.  Some Christians believe we must be baptized to be saved, others believe baptism was for the early church alone.  Some believe infants should be baptized, others believe only those who are believers should be.  The forms of baptism are often disagreed upon from sprinkling to pouring to immersion.  So, the common and usually simple act of baptism has become one of the more controversial teachings of the church.

The Greek word for “baptize” (baptizo) means “to dip or to immerse” which would lend itself to baptism by immersion.  But, what do you do if you don’t have a large amount of water nearby?  A Baptist church in Texas during a drought several years ago had to roll the newly converted in the local river because it had so little water, and they had no baptistery. 

In the early church, there was a document called the Didache, a sort of church instruction manual dated around the end of the first century.  Chapter seven of the document addresses baptism:

“Concerning baptism, baptize in this way. Having instructed him in all of these teachings, baptize the catechumen in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water. But if you do not have running water, then baptize in other water. And if you cannot in cold water, use warm. But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And before the baptism, let both the baptizer and the catechumen fast, and also any others who are able. And be sure that the catechumen fasts a day or two before.”

So, it looks like pouring water on the convert was acceptable but not the first choice.  No doubt convenience took charge, and pouring became more popular especially since public baptism during the persecutions would have brought danger to all in attendance.  Later sprinkling became acceptable as well even after the persecutions ended.

During the reformation, a group formed called the “Anabaptists.”  The name means roughly to be baptized again.  Since most of Europe was Catholic prior to the Reformation, pretty much everyone was baptized as infants.  The Anabaptists believed baptism was for believers alone and that all believers should be baptized again.  They were persecuted by both the Protestant and Catholic churches but still about four million exist worldwide today.  Two of the best known Anabaptist sects are the Mennonites and the Amish.  They see themselves not as Protestants but as their own division within Christianity.

An error in the church – Baptismal Regeneration, salvation through baptism – is s group of beliefs: all our sins are washed away when we are baptized, baptism saves you, or baptism is simply necessary for salvation.  This was also practiced very early in church history.  Rome’s first Christian emperor, Constantine, would not agree to be baptized until just a few days before he died because he believed this and wanted all his sins to be forgiven prior to stepping into glory.

The problem with Baptismal Regeneration is it requires a work for salvation, something other than the blood of Christ to save us.  True, baptism is a command (Matt. 29:18-19).  To ignore or to break one of God’s commands is a sin but does not result in God’s rejection of the believer. 

Paul says this in 1 Cor. 1:17: “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”  So, baptism was not a part of the gospel and, therefore, no required for salvation.

Why is this important?

When presenting the gospel to the lost, we need to tell them about baptism and relate it to them accurately.  Baptism is not required for salvation.  Acts 10:44-48 speaks of a Centurion who was saved along with his family.  They displayed spiritual gifts as a sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit, itself a sign of their salvation.  Only after these things happened was the idea of baptism presented.  Baptism is not required, but it is a command.  We should be baptized soon after accepting Christ as a sign, a public declaration, of  our new life in Christ.  More on this next week.