Baptism
“Immersion or washing, from baptizo meaning to dip or submerge”
Summary
A sacred rite of water purification and initiation into the Christian faith, commanded by Christ and practiced universally by the apostolic church.
☩Origin and Background
Christian baptism has roots in the ceremonial washings prescribed by the Mosaic Law for removing uncleanness, the baptism of Jewish proselytes, and most directly in John the Baptist's baptism of repentance. John's baptism was preparatory, calling Israel to repentance in anticipation of the coming Messiah, but Christian baptism involves fuller spiritual reality—the gift of the Holy Spirit and union with Christ. Jesus Himself was baptized by John to 'fulfill all righteousness' and was anointed by the Spirit at that occasion.
☩The Great Commission
After His resurrection, Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Trinitarian formula established baptism as the initiatory rite of the Christian faith, publicly marking one's entrance into covenant relationship with the triune God. The command to baptize was coextensive with the command to preach the gospel to all nations.
☩Apostolic Practice
From the day of Pentecost onward, baptism was administered to all who believed in Jesus as Messiah and Lord. Peter commanded the 3,000 converts to be baptized for the remission of sins and reception of the Holy Spirit. Throughout Acts, baptism immediately followed conversion: the Samaritans, the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius and his household, Lydia, the Philippian jailer, and many others received baptism upon profession of faith.
☩Theological Meaning
Paul developed the rich theology of baptism as union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. To be baptized into Christ is to put on Christ, to die to the old self and be raised to walk in newness of life. Baptism effects incorporation into the one body of Christ, the Church, where distinctions of Jew and Gentile, slave and free, are transcended. It is the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, cleansing the conscience and saving through the resurrection of Christ.
☩Mode of Baptism
The Greek word baptizo signifies to dip, plunge, or immerse, and immersion appears to have been the normal mode in the apostolic church, symbolizing burial and resurrection. The early Didache, however, permitted pouring water three times on the head when sufficient water for immersion was unavailable. The Western church gradually adopted affusion and sprinkling, while the Eastern church has generally maintained immersion.
Related Verses85 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Baptism," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Baptism," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Baptism (Lutheran Doctrine)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Baptism," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).