Understanding Baptism and Its Significance in the Christian Faith
Introduction
Baptism in the Christian context is practiced in a variety of ways with a nuance of slightly different meanings. The central uniting idea is it signifies a joining of the person baptized to Jesus Christ and his community the church.
My mother was from London and grew up in the church of England and my father’s family heritage was Lutheran. When they were married at the end of WWII they worked on farms in rural Pennsylvania. My older sister and I were not baptized as infants though this is customary for these denomination.
When I was turning five we moved to Bath, New York where St. Thomas, Episcopal became our church home, if you had asked me then I would have said I belonged there. However, it wasn’t in till my younger brother was born 5 years later that the three of us were baptized by sprinkling at the church chapel with only our family and our God parents. It was then I officially became a Christian and a real member of the church. Though I wasn’t a baby it wasn’t until some years later in Confirmation class that I had a better understanding of the sacrament. Moreover, many years later that it became more clear and important.
Some people believe it is possible to be an isolated Christian by yourself. However without the initiation and the community you are mistaken. This post will explore the meaning and importance of baptism.
What is Baptism?
In the Christian Church baptism the religious rite of sprinkling water onto a person’s forehead or of immersion in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church. In many denominations, baptism is performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving.
The word itself comes from the Greek meaning to emerse. The same word was used in relation to enersing clothe into dye. Thus it has connotations of both cleansing and transformation. It symbolizes the washing away of sin and being merged with the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At the Chapel of the Resurrection in Tucson we built a tank for emersion on wheels. We placed it with have outside and half inside. Thus it symbolizes entry to the church as the person stepped in outside and out inside the church.
Biblical Foundations of Baptism
In the Bible we read about the ministry of John the Baptist. He obviously got his name because of his practice of baptizing repentant sinners in the Jordon river.
3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”[a]
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
In the Gospel of John (the apostle) we read about John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. He also declares that Jesus, as Messiah, will institute an even more powerful baptism with the Holy Spirit.
3 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
In Acts 2:38. We read about Peter’s first sermon. He calls on the crowd to repent and be baptized. He further tells them they will receive the Holy Spirit
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the Gopel account ogthe baptism of Jesus we get a further explanation for Jesus’ baptism.
Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
Justin Martyr said of Jesus, “He came down that we might go up.” The baptism is the portal for us to connect with him in our baptism. It is a spiritual mystery.
The Spiritual Significance of Baptism
In his letter the Romans, Paul explains the significance of Baptism.
Romans 6: 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Another significant belief is found in 2 Corintians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
Our new creation is with Christ in us! Just as Jesus is in the Father.
John 18:22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
The Importance of Baptism for a Christian
The clearest importance of baptism, especially in this time in the broader culture, is that it is a public even. Especially when we see many being baptised at the same time in response to revival leaching and worship. Yes, follow-up is necessary. The baptized need to join a Christian fellowship or church. Further education is necessary. For example these recent posts are aimed especially for new believers.
Different Methods and Traditions
We have already mentioned the two main forms of Baptism: emersion and sprinkling. I firmly believe the amount of water and the age of the person are not crucial. Also once is sufficient. On the orher hand. If I had a do over Imwould prefer emersion. The symbols are more grafic.
Jeremiah one other method told to me by a Greek Orthox priest. He said they baptize infants by emersion with this difference. They hold the body under water and make the sign of the cross with it 3 times!
Baptist by comparison dedicate their children and encourage them to be baptized when they are older.
Those who don’t baptize infants believe they cannot consent or affirm. Those who do say they parents and god parents pledgein their place. Those demoninations provide the sacrament for an adult decision.
Common Misconceptions About Baptism
I had a friend who believed that “once saved and baptized he could no longer sin.”
For me that is obviously false. We have regular confession for this reason.
On the other hand my personal journey includes a period of time when I ceased to believe. Yet God reached out and called me back to faith. I am convinced the prayers of the church were instrumental in that conversion. Perhaps because of my baptism the church and God were faithful while I was not.
Conclusion
Baptism is a powerful, symbolic act of faith. It can be explained as an outward and visible symbol of an inward and spiritual grace. If are considering accepting Jesus ans haven’t been baptized consider it as a step of obedience and public declaration of your commitment to Christ.
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