The Christian Baptism

In Hebrews 6:1-3, the writer mentions several concepts that represent some of the elementary principles of Christ. In the context of the passage, these principles are said to constitute the most fundamental aspects of the Christianity, doctrines that should be the basis of the Christian faith. Among these essential doctrines are the doctrines of baptisms. Throughout the scriptures, there are indeed many baptism mentioned:

• John’s baptism: Mark 1:4-5; Luke 3:12-14
• Baptism of fire: Matthew 3:11; [2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 3:10]
• Baptism of the Holy Spirit :Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:1-6; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:15-18
• Water baptism: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36-39

The four baptisms mentioned throughout the New Testament are clearly distinct in nature and purpose; however, Paul tells the Ephesians that there is but one baptism [Ephesians 4:5]. If only one, then which one is applicable to Christians today?

Which Baptism?
When observing each of these baptisms and considering them in context, the answer to this question becomes evident. Each baptism spoken of by the Bible serves a specific purpose in a specific time frame. Two of the four baptisms have passed and one is still to come. This leaves only one as the baptism effective for Christians today. The following three baptisms mentioned in the Scriptures cannot be the “one baptism” Paul refers to.

• John’s Baptism: This baptism was used in the small interval of time just before the manifestation of Christ. It was used as a means of preparing the way of Christ as John preached about the coming Messiah, the coming kingdom, and the need for repentance [Mark 1:1-8]. Based on this specific purpose it is reasonable to assume that this baptism is no longer applicable. Christ has come and the kingdom has been established [Hebrews 12:22-28]. Additionally, we see occasions in the New Testament where the effectiveness of John’s baptism was no longer present [Acts 18:24-26; Acts 19:1-5]. Concerning John’s baptism, it is important to note that this also was a baptism in water, but should be seen as distinct from the water baptism practiced by the disciples after the advent of Christ and establishment of the church in Acts 2. This point is also evidenced in Acts 19:1-5.
• Baptism of the Holy Spirit: This baptism was used to signify the beginning of the church, the kingdom [Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4], and to express God’s acceptance of the Gentiles [Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:15-18]. Despite modern teaching, these two occasions are the only times in the entire Bible where baptism of the Spirit took place. Seeing the specific roles that these baptisms served there is no reasonable way to conclude that this baptism would serve a purpose today. In fact, we can infer that this baptism would have ended with the end of the age of miraculous spiritual gifts predicted in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. On both occasions, baptism of the Spirit empowered those immersed with ability to speak in tongues; a gift the apostle Paul said would end with the completion of the Bible.
• Baptism of Fire: This baptism speaks prospectively of the judgment to be made against those that do not serve God [2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:14]. No other instance can be described as being immersed in flames as can the condemnation for those that do not serve the Lord. Some have attributed the cloven tongues of fire on the Apostles heads in Acts 2:3 as this baptism of fire. Although this does not appear to be an immersion as implied in the term baptism, this would still constitute a baptism no longer effective in the present age of the church.

Understanding that each of the above mentioned baptism could not be functional today, the water baptism, as described in Acts 2:38, must be the one baptism Paul names in Ephesians. By the time the epistle to the Ephesians was written, John’s baptism, as well as the baptism of the Spirit, had evidently passes away, and baptism of fire was still to come. The baptism effective and needful for Christians today is baptism in water, in the name of Jesus Christ.

What does it accomplish?
The scriptures make evident many roles that this baptism serves today. Many of these things even demonstrate the essential role that baptism plays in our salvation. Without baptism, our salvation is impossible.

·                    Forgiveness of Sins/Washing: Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; [John 3:5 and Titus 3:5].

·                    Receive the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:38; Acts 9:17-18; [John 3:5 and Titus 3:5].

·                    How added to the church/body: 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:41,47

·                    Act of obedience/righteousness: 1 Peter 3:21; [2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 and Romans 6:1-12]; Matthew 3:15

·                    Receive Christ: Galatians 3:27

·                    For Salvation: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41,47; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21

Baptism undoubtedly serves a vital role in the Christian life. Coupled with faith, repentance, and confession, baptism is the very point at which we may come in contact with the redeeming blood of Christ. Baptism is absolutely necessary for the salvation of all people.

How should it be done?
Several factors should be understood and exercised for baptism to be effective in our salvation:

·        With faith: Colossians 2:12; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:37; Acts 2: 41; Acts 8:12

·        With understanding: Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:35-39; 1 Peter 3:21. Essentially every conversion in the NT begins with the individual being taught the gospel followed by the baptism.

·        Coupled with repentance: Romans 6:1-12; Acts 2:38

·        By immersion in water: Acts 8:36; John 3:23; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Peter 3:21. Additionally, the word baptism even means to be immersed or fully whelmed, especially in water [Vine’s Expository Dictionary]. According to this definition and these scriptures, sprinkling would not truly be a baptism.

·        In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Matthew 28:19

FAQ’s on Baptism

1. Isn’t baptism just an outward sign of an inward change?
The short answer to this commonly held belief is no, not really. No place in the Bible describes baptism in this way. Calling baptism an outward sign of an inward change implies several things that are not consistent with the scriptures: 1) this change (receiving Christ) can happen before baptism; 2) baptism itself does not accomplish anything; 3) baptism is not really necessary. A better way to describe baptism is an outward act that causes an inward change. This is evident in many scriptures mentioned above. For example: Acts 2:38: we are forgiven of our sins and receive the Holy Spirit through baptism; Galatians 3:27: we receive Christ through baptism; Mark 16:16: our salvation is completed with baptism.

2. Aren’t we baptized with the Spirit when we’re saved?
Only a few people were ever baptized with the Spirit, something that doesn’t happen today. As mentioned in the section above on baptism of the Spirit, a baptism of this nature is recorded only twice in the New Testament. First, the apostles were baptized with the Spirit to confirm to them that the kingdom had come [Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4]. The second time, it was a sign to the Jews that the Gentiles were acceptable to God and should allowed to join the church [Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:15-18]. Interestingly, when Peter realized the Gentiles had been accepted, they were immediately baptized with water. In short, we are not baptized with the Spirit when we’re saved; rather, we’re saved when we’re baptized with water.

3. Can’t we be saved before baptism?
The Bible mentions several things that are necessary for our salvation: John 3:16- faith; Romans 10:9-10- confession; 2 Corinthians 7:10- repentance; Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21- baptism. Without any of these things, including baptism, we cannot be saved. We cannot be saved before baptism any more than we can be saved before we believe. Also, remember that baptism is how we receive Christ, receive the Spirit, are forgiven of our sins, and are added to the church [Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13]. How could we possibly be saved before any of these things have happened!?

4. What about the thief on the cross?
When considering the thief on the cross, it is important to remember one very important aspect of baptism: according to Romans 6, our baptism is effective because of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Keeping this in mind, the answer is very simple. When the thief on the cross was saved, Christ had not died, been buried, or raised from his grave. It makes sense, then, that before these things happened, the baptism we have today would have accomplished nothing. In short, the thief was saved before baptism was even needed.

5. Don’t we only need faith to be saved?
Several things are needed to be saved. Faith is one of these things, but is certainly not the only thing. Some of these things include: John 3:16- faith; Romans 10:9-10- confession; 2 Corinthians 7:10- repentance; Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21- baptism. There is not one place in the Bible that says faith is the only thing we need to be saved. In fact, just the opposite is true.

6. Can’t we receive Christ by just asking him to come into our heart?
Jesus said in the Gospel of John, “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me.” We can be sure that we must receive Jesus in order to be saved; however, there is not one place in the entire Bible that says we can just ask Jesus into our hearts and be saved. The words of Galatians 3:27 explain precisely how we can receive Jesus: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the final step in which we actually receive Christ and have access to his abundant grace.

7. I was baptized as a child, doesn’t that count?
Baptism as a child or infant, according to the scriptures, would not constitute a baptism at all. There are several reasons for this, but one stands out as the most significant. A true baptism must be done with understanding, with faith, and should be done because we personally decided we needed to do it [Acts 8:37; 1 Peter 3:21]. An infant that gets baptized does not have faith and they certainly are not doing it of their own will. It’s not until a child has the true ability to decide between right and wrong that they also have the ability to choose to be baptized.