Baptism: What does scripture teach?

Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. Today's exciting topic is baptism. Prepare yourself for a wild ride! 

Water baptism is a sacrament in most churches. In general, the number and form of the sacraments in the church are quite controversial and in part define church denominations. Sacraments generally are meant to convey a blessing on the believer or allow them to show their dedication to Christ. Unfortunately, a full discussion of individual denominational beliefs is beyond the scope of this blog.

 

The concept of baptism, however, is vitally important. Unfortunately, baptism can be a very emotional and divisive topic between individuals and denominations. Importantly, as biblically based believers we need to consider 1st the scriptures themselves to differentiate what the Bible states about baptism, or does not say, from opinion and tradition. Further reading is referenced below (1,2). 

 

Let us look today at the meaning of the word and how young Christian millennials celebrate baptism. 

 

What baptism means

 

First, let’s consider the word itself. The word is βαπτιζω (baptizoo) in the Greek (the language in which the New Testament originally was written), and was an old term borrowed from the dye trade. It meant that a piece of cloth immersed in the dye became identified with the new color (3).

 

In the epistles, the portion of scripture intended for the church, Christian baptism indicates that spiritually we are identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:1-11; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:11-13). Otherwise, at salvation we were regenerated to a new person. We will discuss the nuances of the different meanings of baptism in scripture in the next blog. 

 

Water baptism is mentioned in the epistles in 1 Corinthians 1 as a criticism by Paul regarding the method the people in this church are handling the practice. 

 

How do Christian millennials celebrate baptism?

 

Millennials’ view of baptism 

 

Teleios recently completed a survey 189 mostly evangelical adolescents and young adults. We asked them if they had been baptized and by which method. We also inquired about the significance of baptism. Here are the top 4 answers regarding the method of baptism and some associated meanings:

• Immersed as a young person or adult (32%) – Marked differences in the rite of baptism exist across denominations. Immersion baptism, which perhaps most closely represents the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, is preferred strongly by Baptists. Baptists typically believe the rite should be performed after salvation when the convert is old enough to make a responsible decision (4). However. Christians often consider that baptism symbolizes primarily a commitment to God by the new believer which was true also in our survey (20%).

• Sprinkled as a child (23%) – This form of baptism is preferred by several traditional denominations and is generally believed to convey either:

1. Forgiveness of the sin nature, and prior sins, allowing for a fresh start and working towards salvation, combined with grace (generally a Catholic viewpoint) (5).
2. Salvation in infants too young to make a decision for Christ. This protection lasts to the time of “the age of responsibility” (generally a Presbyterian viewpoint) (6).
3. Commitment by parents to raise a child in a godly manner leaving the responsibility to the child to be saved and baptized as an adult (often non-denominational Bible believing churches) (7).

•  Never been baptized (19%) – Although this group might be seen as disobedient by some Christians; the New Testament epistles, which contain the injunctions to the church, specifically do not command water baptism. For example, the Quaker church does not perform the rite of baptism (8). Of course, salvation itself is by grace alone with no added works required (Ephesians 2:8-9).

• Spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit at salvation (15%). This choice is closest to the meaning of baptism in the New Testament epistles (the letters to the churches). Although controversial, in the epistles when baptism is mentioned it speaks of spiritual baptism (except 1 Corinthians 1). The apostle Paul explained that spiritual baptism ‘identified’ us in the death and life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Baptism represents the regeneration by the Spirit to a new person who can serve our Lord. This regeneration appears to occur at salvation accompanied by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6: 2-9, Colossians 2: 11-13, Ephesians 2:4-7). 

 

We will speak more about this in our next blog and this topic is also covered in the salvation portion of Know the Bible. Indeed, 68% of the participants in our survey believed baptism represents the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Titus 3:5).

 

In summary, we've seen today that water baptism, though a usual part of church life, is not attested well in the portions of scripture intended for the church (the epistles). Churches are free to administer baptism as long as they do not go against the word of God. Baptism in the epistles is spiritual baptism which identifies us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

Next time we will discuss more deeply the different types of baptism identified in scripture. You will be amazed! Join us then!

 

William C. Stewart

 

1. Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.
2. Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. Kregel Publications, 1947.
3. https://www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2014/02/25/baptisim-meaning-and-mode/
4. https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/resources/articles/believers-baptism/
5. https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-forgiveness-of-sins
6. https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/what-presbyterians-believe-the-sacrament-of-baptism/
7. https://howtoadult.com/conditions-must-parents-fulfill-order-children-baptized-7763.html
8. http://www.religionresourcesonline.org/different-types-of-religion/compare/baptism.php

 

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