preacherman

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

The Beauty of Baptism

There has been much debate over the importance of baptism. Are we saved by faith or baptism? Is baptism really important? There is even much confusion over the way to baptize. The original Greek baptisimo means immersion. If literally translated from the original would clear up a lot of misunderstanding about the how too. As Christ was burred in the grave we are burred with him underneath the waters and resurrected up out of the grave into a new life just as Christ was raised on the third day.

The book "At The Rivers Edge: Meeting Jesus in Baptism" by Jeff W. Childers and Frederick D. Aqunio is on of the best books on baptism that I have read. The following quotes are from their book:

Alaxander Campbell (1866) says "Baptism is designed to introduce the subjects of it into the participation of the blessings of the death and resurrection of Christ." (p.3)

Martin Luther (1530) Baptism is no human trifle, but instituted by God himself...It is of the greatest importance that we esteem Baptism excellent, glorious exalted for which we contend and fight chiefly, because the world is now so full of sects clamoring that Baptism is an external thing and that external things are of no benefit." (p12.)

Robert E. Webber states "When we enter into the waters of baptism, we enter into a divine connection with the suffering of Jesus and with his resurrection. We are brought into a pattern of light that is an actual identification with Jesus. Baptism is therefore not only an identification with Christ but a calling to live the baptized life. The calling which baptism symbolizes gives concrete form to our spirituality." (p19).

Jack Resse says, "Undergoing baptism implies that we are changing cultures. It reminds us of the seriousness of our decision to wear the name of Christ, to be his disciples. It celebrates the union of the divine and human, not only in our Lord and savior, but in ever-increasing ways in our lives as we serve the God who met us at the rivers edge." (p.1).

G.R. Beasley-Murray stated so vividly "Without baptism, faith is like a disembodied soul."

Scriptures concerning baptism:
Jesus baptism: Matthew 3:13-ff
Making disciples: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16
receiving the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:38
Conversions Acts 4, 8, 9, 10, 16:15;33;1 Cor. 1:16
Other passages on baptism: Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Cor 12:13; Romans 6:1-ff; Revelation 21:22:14;.

I believe that we are saved by grace and that grace is a gift. Baptism is the act of us receiving and opening the gift that God has given us. It can't be received and opened if we aren't baptized. Baptism is beautiful. Is the point at which we are born again and become sons and daughters of God with all the blessings the come with it.

Why do so many today feel that baptism isn't important? Where is the sinner's prayer in the Bible? Why do so many by into the sinners prayer? Why do many people pick and choose what they want when it comes to salvation? Why are some churches within the restoration heritage changing their views when it comes to baptism? No where does the Bible give examples of infant baptisms it shows that the believes had faith and made the choice to be baptized...Why then do many practice this doctrine of infant baptism? Why do some sprinkle? Would the original Greek clear that up? Is God that confusing about what he wants from us in order to become disicples? How was your baptism special or different? What made your baptism meaningful? You may share your baptism if you'd like.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

38 Comments:

Blogger Stacey said...

Great words, preacherman. I definitely want to check this book out.

I can only speak for myself, but I know that many from my generation who grew up in the C of C just got pure worn out with people saying that baptism was how one was saved. In response to that, many people avoided that idea and therefore put less emphasis or importance on baptism.

As far as the sinner's prayer, who knows? There are so many things like that in religion and Christianity that we wouldn't even know where to start when it comes to changing those.

I am a believer in baptism but I but do not believe it is baptism that "saves" one. That act is done totally and completely by God and I can have no part in that.

I do believe that baptism is our recognizing and identifying that we are joining the new way and dedicating our lives to a new cause.

I think that is the value of baptism. It is a literal and clear way for us to "die" and be raised again with a new life and purpose.

Blessings, friend.

12:27 PM  
Blogger Josh said...

Great post, preacher. I've got to agree with Chris. It is God who saves, not man himself.

I believe baptism is completely important and upon the understanding of its importance all Christians should want to be baptized.

But concerning salvation, I don't believe baptism or a sinner's prayer is necessary. Salvation happens in the heart; it's a change of perception.

Just my humble thoughts.

12:37 PM  
Blogger Josh said...

I think that unfortunately baptism or the sinner's prayer has been used as a measuring stick for ministers to show how many people have come to Christ under their ministry.

The Bible says we will know them by their fruits. Fruit isn't produced by a head being dipped in the water or by someone making a statement.

Fruit is produced by a seed being planted and from the heart and mind being changed.

12:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I believe that baptism is essential to our savlation but it doesn't save...As you mentioned we are saved by grace. I like your application of us opening the gift. Ephesians 2 does tell us it is a gift. Not of works that anyone can boast. I believe that baptism is the part of the obedient faith, active faith the God expects from us as followers. Thanks preacherman for making us think.

2:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I may have to think about this one for a while.

2:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have been looking everywhere for the sinner's prayer in the Bible and can't find it. I look in the concordance and stuff in the back of my Bible. Don't see it. Looked under the titles: prayer, Lord, salvation, sinner, sin. Someone help me, please.

3:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been studying all afternoon. Can anyone help me find the sinner's prayer? Please. I called my pastor and he was out of the office and won't be back in until tomorrow.

5:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll be checking back frequently to see what others have to say and want to thank you preacherman for getting me think about things I've been taught.

5:04 PM  
Blogger Darin L. Hamm said...

Preacherman,

The beauty of baptism. Only we humans can monkey it up in both directions.

There is no greater moment than watching a 30+ woman giving her life to Christ in baptism, why the war on what it is for.

6:11 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Chris and Josh,
Thank you for your comments.
I appreicate both of your thoughts on the discussion.
I have said, I believe that we are saved by grace. There are many people who get "dunked". We are called to make disciples and part of making disciples is baptism. I believe we maybe in the past we have just dunked and yes as Josh said, kept a record of those dunked. How many have been dunked and are not disciples. We have to make disciples. I believe that is what God wants us to do. We are called to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit and then teaching them to obey everything I have taught you." Matthew 28:19-20.
Thanks again for both of your comments and adding to the discussion.


Anonymous,
You aren't going to find an example of the sinner's prayer in the Bible. It isn't in there. Some look at the criminal on the cross. But we must understand that was before Jesus died that he offered the man forgiveness and life and paradise. Every example of conversion that you see in the New Testament includes the act of baptism. I encourage you to read the Bible and continue studying. Read the passages concerning baptism.

Darin,
How beautiful indeed.
Thanks for you comments.
I appreciate you adding to the discussion.
God bless you brother.

6:49 PM  
Blogger Falantedios said...

I would also recommend "Down in the River To Pray - Revisioning Baptism as God's Transforming Work" by John Mark Hicks and Greg Taylor.

I thik that an especially important point is that the Early Church Fathers might have been pretty dumbfounded by the question, "What saves you, faith or baptism?" They had a vibrant theology and a hermeneutic that allowed them to retain the essentiality of baptism while also affirming the salvation of the elderly, infirm, and those for whom immersion was impossible.

I think it likely that the variant methods of baptism stem from ways that the early Christians sought to initiate those special cases into the Lord's body.

Good thoughts from everyone, and I'd really like to read Childers and Aquino's new book. I'm still reading their Heart of the Restoration contributions. *sigh* I hope there will be books in heaven.

in HIS love,
Nick

12:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I tend to agree with Christ in saying that many of the attitudes toward baptism today stem from abuses of yesteryear. Our reactions often become overreactions, "throwing out the baby with the bath water."

My understanding of baptism has grown and changed. I think that much confusion comes as people view baptism as a work; they then either have to argue that we are saved by works or they reject baptism as part of conversion to God. Only when we understand that baptism is not a meritorious work can we come to give it its true place.

Thanks preach!

9:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was baptized at camp when I was 16 surrounded by my best friends and youth minister. It was out door creek. Extremely cold water but I loved getting baptized with the mountains surrounding me. I have come to understand that committment more over the years and am glad I made the choice to do it. I sometime regret that my parents weren't there but am glad I was with my youth group and youth minister. Thanks preacherman, baptism is beautiful. I will cherish that day forever.

5:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am glad that I knew what I was doing when I was baptized. So many of my friends have been re-baptized or even quit church all together. I am so glad I had an understanding of my sin and willingness to make that personal relationship with Jesus. Sometimes during communion I remember that day that my dad baptized me. Thanks preacherman for this wonderful post.

5:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think more and more churches in the denominational world are realizing that baptism is important. You hear of baptism's happening in a lot of churches now that didn't practice it years ago.
Praise God!

5:45 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Nick,
I want to thank you for the book recommendation. I am going to buy it the next time I go to Abilene. I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for your comments and adding to the discussion. I appreciate.

Tim,
I want to thank you for stopping by and adding to the discussion. Your comments are always welcome on this blog. You have great thoughts to share. I agree and see myself that many see baptism as a work. I see it as a part of the obedient faith that saves us and that God requires of us. Thanks again for your comments.

Dan and Becky,
Thank you both for sharing your stories.
The day we made that choice to be baptized was definately a beautiful and wonderful day. Becky, what a wonderful thing to remember during communion.

Anonymous,
I am glad to hear that there are some denominations who are start to practice baptism. My concern is if it is for membership to be apart of that particular group or is it for salvation. Thanks for your comments.

9:39 AM  
Blogger Falantedios said...

Here's my take on baptism as a work:

Baptism IS a work. There's NOTHING WRONG with works! It is something we choose to experience. So is repentance, so is confession, so is living a faithful life every day.

The schism between works and grace is a construct of the Protestant mindset over and against the egregious excesses of the medieval Roman Catholic Church. This dichotomy grows especially from the exegesis of Martin Luther, who back-read the flaws of the RCC onto the 1st century Pharisees.

For more on this, check out 'Paul and Palestinian Judaism' by E.P. Sanders. Sanders is a historian who has done seminal work examining the Dead Sea Scrolls and the writings of Judaism in and around the first century. Also, Google 'The New Perspective on Paul.' Or, just swing by Ben Overby's wonderful site at http://simplechurch.squarespace.com and look at what he has to say. BUT, before you do any of that, swing by Fumbling Towards Eternity (http://fumblingtowardseternity.blogspot.com) and help me back into the blogosphere on my own blog!

in HIS love,
Nick

10:32 AM  
Blogger Drew said...

I realize this post is a bit old, but I did want to throw some thoughts around.

I do want to say right off: Baptism IS what saves us. Not that the water cleaned us, or that we ourselves washed away sins; to be sure it is God at work. How do we know? 1 Peter 3:21 tells us: "Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you -- not the removal of dirt from the flesh -- but as an appeal to God for a good conscience."

The falsehood of "the sinner's prayer" and "I'm saved by faith only, I don't need baptism" is astonishingly pervasive today. But the idea that's there's ANY other way to appeal to God to be clean (and to know that we ARE clean) is not anywhere to be found in scripture; yet how easily and how TRAGICALLY this is overlooked or ignored!

And for those that might advocate the sinner's prayer, denying baptism as a "work", and that no one is saved by works... what then is the "sinner's prayer"? Is that not a work in itself? Does that not involve DOING something? Albeit, it's less physical, but praying a prayer is not NOT physical in itself and it DOES take WORK to make it happen. Which leads us to...

Are we saved by works? No! So that no one may boast. But show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works with show you my faith. Faith without works is dead, so how then can we say there are no works involved in faith (which leads to salvation)?! And then if we have no faith without works, how then can we have salvation without faith?

Salvation, faith, works, righteousness. They are all connected, and you can't have one without the other... are we getting a picture yet?

Now Paul tells us that works do not save us, and he's right! Going to church every Sunday and taking communion my whole life; and visiting sick people every month; and giving to the poor will not get me a spot in heaven just by going through the motions. If there's no faith or belief or striving to be good there, then what good are the works? So then, it's not the works in themselves that save us.

So what then are works? It's the MANIFESTATION of our faith! And if there's no manifestation of your faith, where then IS your faith?

Just as Paul writes they can not HELP but preach the good news! They could not help but love each other! It was just POURING out of them! And in the same way, how can we, having believed and having faith, not HELP but respond to God how he has told us to, and to accept His salvation in baptism through Jesus Christ? How can we say there's some other way to do it? This is not found in scripture.

Now surely, you can pick and choose verses, such as John 3:16, and there's no mention of baptism there! But then, using that same logic, how then can we look at 1 Peter 3:21, and not say "there's no mention of belief there!"? But that's a whole 'nother post waiting to be sprung.

So then, baptism IS essential (Mark 16:16, he who believes AND is baptized will be saved!), it IS commanded (Matt 28:19, go into all the world, preaching and baptizing) and it IS what saves us (1 Peter 3:21)!

=)

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