What is Baptism and Where Did it Come From?

What is baptism? The term "baptism" means "to immerse" or "to wash" (to place into water). The origins of baptism are somewhat obscure in the ancient traditions, but there are some things that seem clear. The original focus on the word appears to have been two-fold in the ancient world. First it denoted a cleansing that was common in temple worship prior to the priests entering the temple (Exodus 40:12-15; Leviticus 16:4, 24). This idea of purification was present in John the Baptist's practice of baptism (Luke 3:3). This symbolic purification was also employed by participants entering the sacred Jewish temple. It is also possible that the notion of baptism emerged from the Jewish ritual baths for women and eventually for men to symbolize purification from contamination. At any rate, it came to tell the story of one's purification of sin.

The second focus which emphasized death is also common in the ancient world. For instance, if a ship went down at sea and the passengers died, it was said that they were baptized at sea. The New Testament picks up on this aspect of baptism to speak on the one hand of one's death in the service of God (see Jesus' use of this idea in Mark 10:38-39) and also of what it means to be a Christian. This notion of baptism stands behind Paul's well-known comment to the Romans that those who were baptized into Christ Jesus were also baptized into his death (Romans 6:3-5). By means of baptism, Paul told the story of our identification with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection. Many Christians today emphasize this aspect of baptism that also tells what it means to be a Christian, namely, to die to a farmer way of life and to rise as a new person who acknowledges the lordship of Christ in our lives.

What Does Baptism Mean To The Church?

The act of water baptism does not save us from our sins, but it tells the story of our identification with what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Although there are some passages that seem to indicate that the act of water baptism in some way participates in our forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21-22; see also Titus 3:5 in context with 3:1-8), it is nevertheless clear in the same books where these passages are found that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ alone brings forgiveness of our sins. It is faith in Christ alone that puts us in a right relationship with God and brings forgiveness of our sins. Baptism in the New Testament always follows faith in Christ (see Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 8:12-13; 10:43-48; 16:14-15, 31-33; Galatians 3:25-29) and often baptism is not mentioned at all in connection with faith in Christ (Acts 11:20-22; 13:38-39, 14:1; 17:10-12; I Peter 1:3-9, 18-23, Romans 1:16-17; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:1- 11; Galatians 2:19-21; 3:2-9; Ephesians 2:8-9).

We should also add that if baptism were essential to being a Christian, it is amazing that Paul who founded churches did not baptize most of his converts. Notice, for example, that he says that he did not baptize most of those at Corinth because God did not call him to baptize but to preach the Gospel (I Corinthians 1;17)! If one's destiny depended on baptism, one wonders why Paul did not baptize all of his converts. This fits also with the standard example of the thief on the cross who was told that he would be with Jesus in paradise that very day, yet he was not baptized (Luke 23:39-43). Baptism tells the story of one's faith in Christ and in the New Testament faith always precedes baptism. Our relationship to God does not hinge on the act of water baptism. However, while we are not "saved" or brought into a right relationship with God through baptism, it is nevertheless an important act of obedience to God and it expresses openly our faith in Jesus Christ. Water baptism says to all who watch that we have chosen to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord of our lives and that we have turned from a former way of life where we once lived only for ourselves. In our church, baptisms are always public as a witness for all to see and, like the earliest Christians, they are preceded by faith in Christ.

What About Baptizing Children?

We do not baptize children in our church who are too young to understand what faith in Christ means. We share the love of God with them and seek to guide them into a proper understanding of what faith in Christ is. When they are ready to accept Christ as Lord of their lives, then we try to help them understand that baptism is an act of obedience to Christ that lets others know of that child's decision to follow Christ faithfully and to live for him in the fellowship of his church. The earliest infant baptism that can be documented in the early church comes from Hippolytus of Rome around 180 AD. In the first five centuries of the church, the overwhelming majority of baptisms were of believers and by immersion. We have chosen to follow this strong biblical and historical precedent and only baptize those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

We also follow the mode of baptism that is found in the New Testament, namely, believer's baptism by immersion. Although Jesus loved the little children and invited them to come to him, this was not for baptism (Mark 10:13-16). We regularly invite parents of children to present their children to the Lord in the church service. This is an act of dedication on the parent(s) part to raise their child in the church and to provide every opportunity to train the child in the way of faith. We also invite the church family to pray for the parent(s) and their children in this covenant of faith with the Lord. This is what happened to Jesus himself (Luke 2:27-32).

What Is Baptism By The Spirit?

Baptism is also seen in the New Testament in a spiritual sense (Matthew 3:11- 12; Luke 3:16; Acts 19:1-7; Galatians 4:6), that is, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are baptized or immersed into the family of Christ through the power of God's Holy Spirit. This is different from water baptism. By this 'spiritual baptism' then, God has forgiven us of our sins and placed us into the body (or family) of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-13). Water baptism tells the story that we have already been transformed by God's Spirit and have been placed into the family, or church, of Christ.

Who May Be Baptized?

Any person may be baptized in our church if he or she has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and simply asks to be baptized. Please contact the pastor if you wish to be baptized and he will talk with you to make sure that you understand its significance. The pastor will then set up a Sunday morning for you to go through this very important experience in your journey of faith.