Some of our favourite meetings together are those where people share their story of coming to faith and get baptised. Our next baptism meeting is Sunday 22 January 2012. Please speak to your community group leader if this is something you would like to consider.
The Why, What and How of Baptism
Why
Baptism?
1. Because Jesus commanded it:
- See Mt 28 v 18 – 20.
- Commonly called the “Great Commission”
- Jesus includes baptism as a fundamental part of the Great Commission and “discipleship”.
- This is a Christ given ‘Ordinance’ or ‘Sacrament’ (NB There are only 2 such ‘Sacraments’ – baptism & communion, cf 1 Cor. 11 v 23 – 26)
In obedience this became the practice of the Church
- See Acts 2 v 37 – 41, 8 v 12 & 26 – 39, 10 v 44 – 46, 16 v 14 & 15, 16 v 31 – 33
Baptism became a fundamental part of the response of a believer to the gospel. Hence, it became known as ‘believers’ baptism.
2. Because Jesus modelled it:
- See Mt 3 v 13 – 17
- The only person who ever lived who didn’t need to be baptised (see v 14), & yet He still chose to be baptised
- His reason: “to fulfil all righteousness”, see v 15. Meaning to fulfil what was right before God the Father and model an act of obedience and worship to all who would follow.
What Does Baptism Mean?
From the above it is clear that baptism is a wonderful step of faith, repentance, obedience & declaration of discipleship.
However, there is so much more:
1. See Rom 6 v 3 – 5 – We are baptised ‘into’ Christ. Therefore, baptised into (or share) His death, His burial, resurrection new life and His glory! Thus baptism is a declaration, a seal, of our ‘union’ with Christ. The death of our old life (the baptistery is a grave) & our resulting new life ‘in Christ’. See Gal.3v27,Col.2v12
2. It was designed to be an initiation into this new life in Christ. An initiation into discipleship and the body of Christ, The Church.
3. It clearly is designed to represent the cleansing from sin that Christ has won for us. Free from sin and a new creation. See Acts 22 v 16 & Rom 6 v 10 – 12
4. An act of spiritual worship. Laying your life down before God as a living sacrifice. see Rom 12 v 1
Therefore, baptism is so much more than simple ‘symbolism’. There is spiritual significance to baptism. Hence, why the early church practice was to baptise as soon after genuine conversion as possible. Often the same day (or even hour) as conversion. And why it was seen as a ‘sacrament’ or vehicle/channel of grace to the believer.
How?
- The Greek word ‘baptizo’ means “to plunge, dip or immerse” something in water (or liquid, eg dye).
- Jesus, was baptised by full immersion, see Mt 3 v 16 “he went up out of the water”.
- The practise of the NT church was baptism by full immersion, eg Acts 8 v 38 & 39 - they went “down into the water” and “they came up out of the water”.
- No example or teaching of ‘sprinkling’ with water is found in the NT.
Conclusion
As Evangelical Christians wanting to be true to Biblical Christianity, believer’s baptism by full immersion is an essential part of our discipleship, membership and practice as a church.