Question: Hey Andy, what’s your view of baptism?
Hi, wow, my view on baptism? OK, are you ready for a long answer? I’ve actually written a lot on this, but here’s what I believe in a nutshell:
For starters, I actually cringe each time I hear or read a church or Pastor saying that baptism is “an outward symbol of an inward decision”, because man, it is SO much more than that:
Baptism is the Granting of Access Into the Kingdom of God
(John 3:1-7)
Jesus told Nicodemus that one can’t even SEE the Kingdom of God unless they’re born again (born anew, from above, of the Spirit). However, Jesus wasn’t talking about a symbolic act of rebirthing, but an actual act, attained through baptism. When we’re dunked (or sprinkled) with water, yes, it “symbolizes” our death to sin (as a watery grave; drowning), and coming up “symbolizes” being born again, as a new creation in Christ, but I only say “symbolizes” here because we’re not actually drowning in the water. However, we are “actually” (spiritually) dying to our old, sinful self, as well as being reborn (born again, from above, born of the Spirit, etc.). And though the early church would symbolically clothe the baptized in new, white clothes, God is “actually” clothing us in holy, spiritual garments, and “actually” sets us apart for His glory. Otherwise, why would it be so important to do? Why would being able to see the Kingdom of God be prevented if it was simply “an outward symbol”?
Baptism Unites a New Believer With the Other Members of the Body of Christ
We’ve all heard the term “blood is thicker than water”, right? It’s often used when explaining something that has to do with supporting family. But in the sense of God’s family, I’ve come to recognize (by the suggestion of a former seminary professor) that water is actually thicker than blood, for as Christians, we’re united into the Body of Christ through the water of our baptism. Yes, we’re saved by the blood of Christ, but we’re united in the water of our baptism. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, Christ forgives us and redeems us from our sin, and He seals the deal in baptism. However, salvation doesn’t come from baptism, only through a relationship with Jesus Christ, which we gain by trusting Him through faith.
Baptism Is So Important That Jesus Insisted That He Needed To Be Baptized
Even John the Baptist was confused when Jesus told Him that He must be baptized. Jesus told him that it was to “fulfill all righteousness”. I’ve heard and read thoughts on this, many of which suggested that just as Jesus was born of a woman, grew up as a child, had a relationship with the Father, was baptized, took Eucharist, died, and was resurrected, so we too will be – sort of like a process to set into motion and for believers to follow – an additional meaning to His invitation to follow Him. One, which I heard the other day, even suggested that Jesus was simply setting the example for us – but John was already baptizing others before Jesus came on the scene, so why would Jesus need to set the example?
My thought on this, though, is that if we look at the previous point, as well as Paul’s words (that we’re united together in Christ through baptism), then maybe the reason Jesus needed to be baptized was also so that He too would be united with us in baptism. For since Jesus is the Head of His Body (the Body of Christ), and we (those of us who’ve accepted and entered into a relationship with Christ) are all members of His Body, and united with each other in our baptisms, then I think it would only make sense for Jesus to be baptized, also.
What About Infant vs. Believers’ Baptism?
Though believer’s baptism is ideal, I have come to believe that infant baptism is valid if confirmation is included later (they’re two halves of it, and sort of incomplete if the other half isn’t included). For at infant baptism, everybody in the congregation vows to God and the parents of the child that they will participate in bringing the child up knowing Jesus (unfortunately though, most who make this vow fail to follow through, hence, one of the reasons for the need of Youth Ministry). Confirmation, then, is the second half of infant baptism, for it is where the now-adolescent chooses to continue in the faith and relationship with Christ that they’d been brought up in (like a Jewish Bar-Mitzvah) – that’s why confirmation is so important, especially for those who were baptized, not as believers, but as infants.
Also, on that note, if baptism is only an “outward symbol”, and doesn’t actually DO anything, then why does it matter if somebody was baptized as an infant or an adult? I mean, if it’s just a “yay me!” moment to show everybody that you’ve made “an inward decision”, but doesn’t actually DO anything on the spiritual level, then why does it really matter if it’s done to an infant, a child, or a believing adult? You see? Because if baptism was more than “outward symbol”, then I could understand the concern, but if it’s only “otward”, then why would it matter how old somebody is when it’s done?
If you’d like to read more…
I’m transferring all my posts from my other website to here, but for now, if you’d like to read more, go to my other website, search “baptism”, and click on “what I believe about baptism”.
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