Baptism: The Real Story

[Tom Green]

Baptism: The Real Story

Context Tells the Real Story!

All too often when we Christians have been taught a view dealing with an important Bible issue, we form an immediate position that is nearly impossible to change from that time forward. This is especially true for baptism where just a few Scriptures are used to support each of the vastly different teachings. To understand what God wants us to know regarding this important subject, we should listen to all that He has to say about it. This section attempts to present a more complete picture of baptism. It points out the historical roots; considers the specific audiences to which the messengers were sent; and identifies where baptism fits into our Christian lives.



The History of Baptism

Most of us think that baptism started with the Great Commission. But actually, its roots are found in the Old Testament laws of ceremonial washings. There were washings for just about everything from removing mildew from walls, to purification after child birth, to acceptance of a leper back into the community.

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Baptizing for Different Purposes

Each of God's messengers had very specific and relevent messages that were aimed at target audiences. John who was told by God (the Father) to identify Jesus (His Son) as the Messiah to the nation of Israel using baptism. Peter and the other apostles were to deliver a message that sounded similar to John's, but it emphasized the concept of the Trinity. Jesus was said to have baptized in the Jordan river, but He also explained that He was the Living Water. Lastly, when Paul saw Jesus in a vision, he was told to deliver a different message to a different people.

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Is Water Baptism Essential to Salvation?

It must not be required for salvation or else Jesus could not have told the thief on the cross next to Him "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise" without first baptizing him. And there were those Gentile (pagans) who were described in Acts chapter 10 as having received the Spirit (the seal of the promised eternal life) and were later baptized.

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Baptizing in One Name or All Three

One of the major dividing issues that splits Christians from each other --even to the extent of causing denominations to be created-- is based on what name is spoken ("I baptize you in the name of ..." ) during a baptism. There are several places in Acts that reference "baptizing in the name of Jesus", yet in Matthew the instruction is to "baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit". But the significance of what name was spoken can be better understood through the viewpoint of a Jew.

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Summary ...

For a Christian to lead a healthy spiritual life, he must be grounded on solid conclusions regarding the fundamental Bible topics. Unfortunately, many of us merely repeat whatever we have heard from people over the years rather than reading what God's word has to say --in context-- and then allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal its meaning to us. Baptism deserves serious consideration beyond common church teachings and traditions.

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Next: The History of Baptism

Put Your Identity In Christ

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:10-11 - NIV)

What's the History of Christian Baptism?

Baptism is Rooted in Jewish Law

Sooner or later, no matter how much care is taken to keep something clean, everything gets dirty. God provided a set of standards to demonstrate this principle. That set of standards, the Levitical Law, provides the instructions on how to recognize the dirt --uncleanliness-- and also the procedures for ceremonially cleaning them. The cleansings, or baptisms, were for everything from mildew on walls (Lev 14:33-53), to purification after child birth (Lev 12:1-8), to acceptance of a healed "leper" back into the community. (Lev 13:1-36, 14:1-32). So when the people saw John baptizing at the river Jordan, they thought that he was just following those traditions of cleansing.

...Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.

They came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side the Jordan, the one you testified about-- well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'" (John 3:22-28)

John quickly corrected the observers when they tried to compare what he was doing to a new and more popular event that was taking place nearby!

Jesus Used Washing Jars

Since these washings were so common, it shouldn't be surprising that Jesus performed His first miracle using some nearby ceremonial washing jars for containers to hold the wine that He converted from water.

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water" ; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, " Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. (John 2:6-9)

The laws regarding cleansings, along with all the other laws, were observed year after year because they couldn't really make a person clean --take away their sins. They were only shadows providing hints about how Christ was going to deal with our sins once and for all.

These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossianns 2:17)

The Reality

The system of laws first showed how to recognize the various violations of purity. Then the priest examined the situation to confirm the presence of impurity and he provided instructions for cleansing. Later, after the physical cleansing was completed and after the impurity was eradicated, additional rituals were performed for ceremonial cleansing. When all of this was completed, the priest could finally declare that cleanliness had been re-established.

Through our "20/20 hindsight", the parallel becomes obvious. The law (whether written on stone for the Jews or on the heart for all), convicts man of his unrighteous, dead condition. He can then choose to go to the true Priest in order to be cleansed from all unrighteousness and gain eternal life. It's the same Priest who gave him the law, who examined him, who sprinkled him and who declared --and continues to declare-- him righteous.

A Curious Irony

Jesus began His ministry with a miracle --water which became wine. Remember the last supper when He explained that wine represented His blood? It's ironic that on the last day of His ministry, when He was pierced for our transgressions, out of His body (our cleansing jar) flowed those same two elements (blood followed by water). It started on a day celebrating the fulfillment of a wedding promise and now we look forward to our own wedding day --as His bride!

Next: The Purpose of Baptism

Put Your Identity In Christ

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - NIV)

What Was the Purpose of Baptism?

There Were Four!

As the four gospels were written using four authors to four different groups of people, baptism was used as a vehicle to carry the message of salvation using four different messengers to various groups of people. Yet each messenger was focused on one single message: Salvation is only through Jesus Christ; and man's only part is to surrender from his feeble efforts.

John the Baptist

John was sent by the Father to identify his Son Jesus as the Messiah to the nation of Israel and to show their need for a new way to salvation. And he used baptism to do it!

Like the Four Gospels

The four gospels were written to four different groups of people. One of the ways they are described is:
Matthew was to the Jews, Mark to the Romans, Luke to the common people, and John to the Greeks.

Baptism was also given to four different audiences:
John to the Jews basing their relationship with God through the Law; Jesus to all who would listen; the Apostles to Jews leaving the Law and traditions behind; and Paul to the Gentiles.

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Jesus

Jesus' message was simple: "I am the way, the truth and the life!" Although he came first to the Jews --and was rejected by most-- He also came to the whole world.

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Peter and the Other Apostles

The message that Peter and the other apostles carried to the Jews was for them to have one final washing (baptism) with water to mark the end of their part in trying to keep the Law. It was a way of providing closure to their former way of life.

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Paul's Baptism

Paul's message was for the Gentiles and it did not include baptism. The Gentiles didn't need to end their relationship with the Law, they needed to begin a relationship with God.

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Next: The Purpose of John Baptizing

Put Your Identity In Christ

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2:9-10 - NIV)

The Purpose of John Baptizing

John Identified the Messiah to Israel

John was sent by God the Father to identify his Son Jesus as the Messiah to the nation of Israel and to show their need for a new way to attain salvation. And he used baptism to do it!

The religious leaders knew that the messiah was bringing salvation; they had read what the prophets had written years before. They just didn't know how it was going to come about. So when they heard about John's baptism, they confronted him about it. He responded to them saying that his baptism was only with water; the real thing was yet to come. (See "Repentance" at the right.)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'

I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." (John 1:29)

Repentance is about changing the way of thinking about something.

John was preaching that there was a new way to receive forgiveness. It was through faith in the "Lamb of God"; rather than the Law and its endless sacrifices.

Repentance for sin was not changing from sin to sinless, it was changing from mans' efforts to God's provision of forgiveness through His Son.


Put Your Identity In Christ

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15 - NIV)


His Message Is for Everyone

Jesus' message was simple: "I am the way, the truth and the life!" Although He came first to His own people (and most of them rejected him)-- He also came to the whole world.

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:9-13)

His Baptism Is with the Holy Spirit

Jesus' baptism was dramatically different from all of the rest; it was with the Spirit and with fire. The Spirit is for those who accept Him and fire is for those who don't!

Then John gave this testimony: ... 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." (John 1:32-34)

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11-12)

Did Jesus Baptize with Water?

The question frequently arises: "Didn't Jesus baptize with water, too?" Take a look at what the Bible says about it in the gospel of John.

The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. (John 4:1-2)


Put Your Identity In Christ

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:22 - NIV

[Tom Green]

The Purpose of the Apostles Baptizing

Apostles to the Jews

Peter and the others were designated to be the apostles to the Jews.

On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. (Galatians 2:7-9)

A New Source for Forgiveness

The message the apostles were carrying was to have one final washing (baptism) with water. The woman at the well heard about water that would satisfy eternally; she would never be thirsty again. Similarly, the baptism that the apostles were giving was demonstrating a washing that would never need to be repeated again.

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. (Acts 2:36-38)

They heard was about a new way of salvation which was and continues to be Jesus Christ and Him alone!

And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:38-41)

The Last Washing

Sacrifices and offerings used to be the normal way to achieve forgiveness. It was called atonement and it only covered over sins until the following year.

Jesus was to be their new source of forgiveness. His way is called propitiation which means to completely satisfy the payment for sin. It doesn't just temporarily cover it over anymore!

Next: What Paul Said About Baptizing

Put Your Identity In Christ

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7 - NIV)


What Paul Said About Baptizing

Paul Was the Apostle to the Gentiles

The apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles while Peter and the others went to the Jews.

On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. (Galatians 2:7-9)

Baptism Was Not Part of the Gospel for the Gentiles

However, Paul's message, which was for the Gentiles, did not include baptism. The Jews who had been practicing the law with its ceremonial washings for hundreds of years (with the purpose of pointing them to the coming messiah) needed one last washing for closure. But the Gentiles didn't. They needed a relationship with God without all the religious trimmings.

I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:12-17)

But Paul did baptize Gentiles in Corinth didn't he?

Not necessarily. The account of his being in Corinth is found in Acts 18. It starts out stating that Paul went there to visit some Jewish friends that had escaped from Rome.

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.(Acts 18:1-3)

One of the names of the people that Paul baptized was Crispus who must have been a Jew since he was the synagogue ruler!

Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)

Does that mean that he didn't baptize any Gentiles? We don't know for certain, but it's doubtful since he said that his gospel was for the Gentiles and it did not include baptism.

It's Jewish Law

The Law with its ceremonial washings, temple worship, and all was given to the Jews to make the surrounding people envious.

The closest Gentiles can come to having the Law is described in Romans where God's basic requirements of righteousness are written on men's hearts and their consciences bear witness to them.

Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
(Romans 2:14-15)

Next: Is Baptism Essential for Salvation?

Put Your Identity In Christ

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7 - NIV)

Isn't Baptism Essential for Salvation?

Yes! But which baptism is required: Spirit or water?

The Bible says that there is one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, God and likewise, there only one baptism!

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:3-6)

Don't you have to be born of the water and the Spirit?

Yes! But that's not about baptism. It's about being born physically (flesh gives birth to flesh) and then spiritually (the Spirit gives birth to spirit --born again).

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:3-6)

Who wasn't baptized before being saved?

The thief on the cross wasn't baptized for salvation before he asked Jesus to remember him when He got to His kingdom!

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43)

Even some Gentiles received the Spirit and were recognized to have been saved --and then they were baptized after the fact!

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:43-48)

But doesn't the Bible say that water saves?

There is a passage in First Peter about water baptism. But it says that the water is only a symbol. Being baptized by the Spirit is the Real Thing!

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also -- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1 Peter 3:20-22)

There is only one baptism that saves --and that is with the Holy Spirit!

Baptism Demonstrates Our Identity

What happens to white cloth that is immersed in purple dye? It emerges with a brand new new identity: Purple Cloth! The white cloth is gone.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
(2 Cor 5:17)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:13-14)

We were baptized (united together) to form one body. No more Jews or Gentiles -just One Body and Jesus is the Head!

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body- whether Jews or Greek, slave or free- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Cor 12:12-13)

Next: Whose Name Should be Spoken at Baptism?

Put Your Identity In Christ

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:10-11 - NIV

Whose Name Should be Spoken at Baptism?

Baptized In the Name of Jesus

In several places in Acts, the Bible says people were to be baptized in the name of Jesus. And so during baptism ceremonies, those words are spoken in order to follow Biblical principles.

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. (Acts 2:38)

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)

When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:15-16)

"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:47-48)

Baptized in the Name of All Three

Yet in chapter 28 of Matthew (in the :great commission) the Bible says people were to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And some speak these words during the ceremony, partly because it sounds more authoritative and partly because it covers both cases (just in case God might consider one to be one to be better than the other).

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
(Matthew 28:19-20)

In His Name

The people who heard these words ("be baptized in the name of ..." ) were Jews. They were leaving behind their old system: Follow the Law to be acceptable to God. The Law included temple worship, offerings and sacrifices and standards for living.

It seemed to provide a way to God's forgiveness and acceptance. Actually, it was only a shadow of what was coming. The reality was Christ Jesus.

The Jews could say His name alone: "baptized in the name of the Messiah Jesus" (calling him Messiah) or in conjunction with the rest. It really didn't matter. The important issue was for them to confess (agree) that Jesus was God --equal with the Father and the Spirit. To say the name of Jesus in their last ceremonial washing caused them to renounce their own efforts and accept his!

Next: Conclusion About Water Baptism

Put Your Identity In Christ

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 - NIV)

Conclusion About Water Baptism

Only Spiritual Baptism Is Required

The only baptism that is required is the one done by God (the Holy Spirit) when He joins us into the body of Christ. And it is required!

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:3-6)

That baptism is when we are spiritually born --born again.

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:3-6)

Does Water Baptism Still Have a Purpose Today?

Absolutely! It's not that it's required in any way --but it can serve very well as a point of reference. Water baptism is a way of providing a point in time to which a person can refer to and internally say: That's the day I became a Christian; that's when I was born again.

That's the day that I died with Christ; was buried with Him; and was raised to new life with Him. It's the day I became a new creation. When confronted by the enemy in times of weakness or doubt, with confidence I can say: Flee from me Satan, I'm a child of God; a brother of Christ; an heir to the kingdom! "And I remember the day it happened!"

Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:12-14)

A Second Blessing?

Although some will agree that salvation begins with spiritual baptism, they have been taught that there is a second blessing that occurs at the time of water baptism.

But that can't be true when the Bible clearly says that everyone who is in Christ has received every spiritual blessing in heaven? If we have received every spiritual blessing, it makes no sense that God is holding back the second one. He already gave us them all.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:3-4)

Next: Top of Baptism

Put Your Identity In Christ

Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (Hebrews 10:13-14 - NIV)