By Titto Thomas
From the last post we saw that Baptism is an act of obedience that follows one’s conversion and symbolically portrays the washing away of sins. The Bible warrants that the new believer be immersed–not sprinkled. However, the church today slightly differs on their views of immersion in baptism. For those people who have met with the living God, every instruction that the Lord gives us is important, for in the Lord’s instruction there is life!
In the early New Testament church, Christians were persecuted for their faith. Now, the Christian way of life was not much different from the Jewish way, except for their inward faith in Jesus. But, there were two ordinances in the Christian faith that fiercely deviated and taunted the Jewish way of life. One was the breaking of bread and the other was baptism. Since the former was done in private, the main physical activity that stood out was baptism. If the believers of that time decided to skip this particular commandment, they could have saved themselves a lot of persecution. But we see from Scriptures that no one did! They had to call attention to the way that Christ had worked in them. They publicly chose to express their faith in Jesus. They took their stand for the faith and never compromised.
Why is it that we, the contemporary church, are compromising so much on the issue of baptism then? I have met believers who have been saved years ago and yet refuse to be baptized. Rejecting God’s instruction is not a laughing matter. We need to be serious with this issue. In this post I will try to answer a few misconceptions on baptism.
1. Baptism is not necessary for salvation – Baptism itself does not bring salvation, rather salvation inspires baptism. Acts 8:37 tells us Philip’s answer to the eunuch’s question on the condition for baptism. Notice that he tells the eunuch to believe first. James 2:17 tells that faith without actions is dead. Now, if you know of the need to be baptized and have not been baptized I have every reason to believe that you are either rebelling against God or you have never truly met with the Lord.
2. Infant baptism is not valid – The misconception that you can baptize small children who have not yet accepted Christ comes from the preconceived notion that baptism is some sort of ceremony. If you did not have a personal faith in Jesus, all you really had was a fancy bath. Also, if were true to the original Greek meaning of the word ‘baptizo’ (to dip), you would have possibly drowned as a baby.
3. Baptism is performed through immersion — In light of the definition of the word, to be baptized by sprinkling is oxymoronic. Baptism is a symbol of being dead to sin and being raised to life in Christ (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12). In Acts 19:3-5, Paul is appalled by the fact that some disciples were not baptized into Jesus. I wonder what he would say if were here today to see some of our practices!
It is not unscriptural to say that, if a Christian is not yet baptized, he/she hasn’t started a walk with God. Why do I say this? If you haven’t obeyed the first basic instruction, how can you move on in Him (Matt 25:21)? If you haven’t been baptized yet, I encourage you to obey this ordinance as soon as possible.
For reference: Matt 3:13-16; Acts 8:35-38; I Peter 3:21; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-4
Ken and I were talking a while back about the significance of water baptism by sprinkling. What if people [adults] are baptized by sprinkling in ignorance? And what if they are taught later the significance? Would the sprinkling be invalid? Personally, my answer would be a “yes” and “no”.
The word baptism is not a religious term. It is a Greek word, simply meaning “to dip something wholly under water or any other fluid”. To ask if a person can be baptized by sprinkling is to ask if a person can be dipped in water by sprinkling. The answer to that needs no debate, it’s an absolute “no”.
However, if I don’t put my faith in the death and resurrection of Christ at the time of baptism, my baptism was in vain. I can’t personally imagine how a person can believe that in sprinkling water. The very reason he is dipped symbolizes death and burial, and his coming out of water symbolizes resurrection [Rom 6:3-4].
I need to emphasize again, Sprinkling is not Baptism. Baptism is a greek word for “immersion”. It’s funny anyone would debate on such a simple instruction. God said it period.
=)
Sidharth
Hello my name is Jacob i took an early Baptism when i was still week in faith under completion
i was not really prepared how ever today almost 10 years later I have grown in faith in Jesus , the last ten years I have learnt much and is closer to God than ever , Today i cannot imagine a life without Christ , But however i feel the first Baptism as an improper baptism , its troubling me should I Baptist once more with a true mind