Christian Baptism
By
Eric William King
The subject of Christian baptism is varied amongst many
different churches. When we talk about baptism it is mostly understood in two
parts: baptism with water and or baptism with the Spirit. Some place water
baptism simultaneously with Holy Spirit baptism. So let us begin to understand
this most important subject. We must extract all of our knowledge regarding
this subject from Scripture (Sola
Scriptura).
It is also important to look at how the earliest
church understood Christian baptism in light of the Scriptures, how they
understood and practiced it. How did the early apostles understand baptism
compared to American reformers a thousand plus years later? We should only
accept Scripture and the Apostolic Church understanding to be honest and
authentic.
The Greek word “baptize”
means; “to wash”, “to cleanse”, “to bathe”. It is used in the New Testament
book of Hebrews to mean “sprinkling” (Heb.12:24) and in 1st Peter
1:2 to mean sprinkling also. In
Hebrews 9:13 another form of the word baptize
(rhantizo) is used as sprinkling to
cleans the flesh. The High Priest of the Old Testament would sprinkle the blood
of the animals to ceremonially cleanse.
In the New Testament those who accepted Jesus Christ were
immersed (baptized) in a body of
water to represent being “buried with Christ” in death. Coming up out of the
water represented the resurrection, or “new birth” that the true believer gains
“in Christ”. Baptism is also likened to being “washed”, made clean from sin and
death. Speaking of regenerated Christians St. Paul states: “…But you were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of
our God.” (1st Corinthians 6:11)
St Peter refers to being “cleansed” from past sins (2
Peter 1:9). St Paul refers to Christ having “cleansed” His Church “by the washing with water through the word.”
(Ephesians 5:26)
We understand baptism to be the first “Sacrament”
of the Church and it is the entrance of a person into the Family of God. A
sacrament is a sacred act that Jesus Christ established and instituted for
Christians to do. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18,19; “Go and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” So we could also say
that it is a New Testament commandment.
We note that all Christians are to be baptized in the
name of the Triune God. Some churches
believe that water baptism must be by emersion,
completely dunked in a large enough body of water for the whole body to be
dunked. Other churches believe it can be done by merely splashing or sprinkling
water on the head of the person. The word baptize can mean “wash” like in Mark
7:3,4 where the Pharisee tradition was to “ceremonially wash (baptize) the
hands”. Again, there is a New Testament scripture which explains “baptism” as a
washing in Ephesians 5:26; “…to make her (the church) holy, cleansing her by
the washing (baptizing) with water through the word.”
Interestingly one of the earliest Christian documents
called the Didache (second century) states
regarding proper doctrine that the sacrament of water baptism can be
accomplished through water sprinkling (or pouring) when a body of water can’t be found. So
early Christians, within the first 100
years of the church, were practicing water baptism by sprinkling.
We also note that Jesus promised the thief on the cross
next to him that he would be in the Kingdom of God. Did Jesus pull the thief off
the cross to get to a pool of water? Nay. We do not worship a dogmatic, cruel
God. We worship a God of compassion. The water in and of itself means nothing
without the added Word of God. It is ultimately the water WITH THE WORD that
completes the sacrament.
__________________________
Regarding Baptism in our addendum we believe that the Holy Spirit is secured in water baptism but in some cases precedes water baptism in its security and that water baptism is not applied in salvation in specific cases such as the thief on the cross. The Holy Spirit baptism is the ultimate seal unto salvation. Water baptism is also the outward sign and seal of an inner change before the congregation of God’s people.
___________________________
__________________________
Regarding Baptism in our addendum we believe that the Holy Spirit is secured in water baptism but in some cases precedes water baptism in its security and that water baptism is not applied in salvation in specific cases such as the thief on the cross. The Holy Spirit baptism is the ultimate seal unto salvation. Water baptism is also the outward sign and seal of an inner change before the congregation of God’s people.
___________________________
In America whole denominations have been created over how
to properly use water in baptism. I believe that St Paul would find this to be
extremely ludicrous. The Bible teaches that both water and the Word must be
used in the sacrament of baptism and it alludes to “sprinkling” as an act of
cleansing or washing away sins.
A pre-Christian group which also existed during the time
of Jesus Christ was a sect known as the Essenes.
Their writings were discovered in Qumran and are known as the “Dead Sea
Scrolls”. We find that they too practiced water purification rites, “baptisms”
in their initiation rites.
Water and the Word
The water in
baptism represents the washing away of sin and the Spirit in baptism is the
reality of receiving the “new life”, the regeneration which one gains in and
through the life of Jesus Christ. In the proper sacrament of baptism both
water and the Word are present. While there is still much debate regarding
how the water is used; immersion, sprinkling, or pouring, it still must include
the Word and this is the part that accomplishes the cleansing and ultimate
sealing and identification of the new birth in Christ.
As the hearing of God’s word in the sacrament strikes the
ear so the rite itself, with the water, strikes the senses and moves the heart.
St Augustine stated that the outward rite
is the “visible Word”. It brings a strong sense of confirmation to all
involved.
Child Baptism
Bible students who truly accept the sovereignty of God and
understand baptism to be a supernatural act can begin to understand infant
baptism much more than the Christian who is not familiar with the sovereignty
of God. The Christian parents bring their child to the altar of God in baptism
obeying the word of Jesus who says; “Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) St Peter confirmed this when he
stated; “Repent and be baptized…The
promise is for you and your
children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord
our God will call.” (Acts 2:38,39)
Can a little baby repent and believe? We notice that this
promise regarding baptism is for “all WHOM THE LORD WILL CALL.” Yes. The Lord
can call a child unto true salvation through baptism. With God all things are
possible. In the Old Testament children were circumcised to mark them as
children of God. In this Church Age
parents are to “baptize” and then “make disciples [teach]” their children the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
As the baptized child grows up he or she will confirm their new birth in Christ by the
way they choose to live. If their infant baptism was approved in God’s
sovereign plan then the baptism was truly an activated sacrament but if the
child chooses not to accept the Lord the parents are still blessed for their act of faith.
The early church did baptize infants and this is
documented. Today there is still much controversy regarding this issue. The
Christian parent must make this decision to dedicate their child through
baptism or not. It is true that only the baptized child can ultimately confirm
his or her salvation.
Christian Confirmation
If the infant truly received the gift of the Holy Spirit
at his or her infant baptism they will reach an age where they can study catechism and truly express their belief
with their mouth thus confirming their salvation. “That if you confess with
your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”. And believe in your heart that God raised him from
the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are
justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans
10:9,10) And “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ IS BORN OF GOD.”
(1st John 5:1) Their confession
and belief confirms their baptism.
If they were infant baptized and refuse the Lord and refuse
their baptism as they grow up then: “They went out from us, but they did not
really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have
remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.”
(1st John 2:19)
After the young child confesses his or her true faith in
the Lord he or she may properly partake of the second sacrament, that of Holy Communion. In order to properly take
communion you must understand what it means and be able to discern the actual
body and blood of Christ in the sacrament.
Catechism
Catechism is for both adult and children converts. It
basically involves properly hearing and understanding the Gospel. It is discipleship. The word “catechism”
is derived from the Greek word, katecho.
It literally means to “sound back and forth” or “echo”. It was a classical
Greek and Roman way of teaching and learning a subject.
It was used in the very early Christian church (first 100
years of the church) as a way of teaching the basic Biblical principles to
those seeking conversion and to converts. It involved memorization of Scripture
through repetition and recitation. The teachings built upon
each other creating a strong understanding of the Gospel. The disciples
learning the true faith were called catechumens and through careful catechesis
(instruction) they learned the Christian faith.
St Martin Luther wrote what is called “The Small” and “Large”
catechisms which are still used in Christian Lutheran churches today and are
used in this ministry, “The Shepherds
Way”. These catechisms include the “Apostles
Creed” with explanations.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of
truth.” (2nd Timothy 2:15)
Conclusion
I hope that this short paper helped you come to a more
accurate understanding of how the true Christian church understands the
sacrament of baptism with some explanations regarding confirmation and
catechism. May you continue your in-depth studies here at “The Shepherds Way”
and the “Nugget of Truth”.
Resting in the finished work of my beloved Savior and
King, Jesus the Christ,
Eric William King – April 9th 2020 (Founder of
TSW & “Nugget of Truth”)
“The true church is thus not a
continuation of the claims of men but is instead the continuation of the TRUE
TEACHINGS of Scripture. Also, the Christian Church does not create the
Scriptures (Word of God) but instead the Word of God creates the proper Church.”
~E.W.King (“Historical Connections to the original church?” – April 2nd
2020)
For further insight read Eric's article: "The Water & the Word"
For further insight read Eric's article: "The Water & the Word"
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Matthew 21:15-17
ReplyDelete15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants
you, Lord, have called forth your praise’[g]?”
17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.