Don't Forget to Baptize 'em
I was once talking to a woman in the workplace who was excitedly telling me about a girl whom she had been discipling. Her enthusiasm disappeared when she added that she only wished she could be the one to baptize the girl. Of course, the woman was feeling bound by the belief that, because she wasn't a minister in her denomination - or worse - because she was "merely" a woman, the odds of that taking place were slim to none.
Au contraire, amigo! There's nothing more that I love as a licensed minister than to step back and allow all the non-licensed "priests and kings" to enjoy these opportunities to minister. I STRONGLY encouraged that woman to talk with the girl and see how she would feel about being baptized by her. I reminded her that, when Jesus told His disciples to go and make disciples, baptizing them as they went, he was talking to US, too, and wasn't excluding anybody. After all, Galatians 3;28 reminds us, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
I've baptized people in rivers, swimming pools, bathtubs and Jacuzzi's and in church baptismals. You can baptize, too. Jesus commissioned ALL of us to do that very thing. Before I was ever ordained, I baptized my own kids in the tub.
Guess what?
It counted!
WHAT DOES "BAPTISM" MEAN??
The word comes from the Greek "baptizo" which means to dip, to dye, to wet, to immerse. I see no biblical example of Jesus being baptized as an infant, nor do I see any examples of His disciples or apostles being baptized as babies either. Since Jesus said, "I came as an example," I'm going to take that to mean that, if He waited until adulthood and until He was 100% ready, we should do the same.
CAN WE BAPTIZE BABIES?
Considering there is not a single Biblical illustration or reference to a baby being baptized, I have decided against the practice. However, all things are permissible, as Paul said, even though they're not all beneficial (1 Cor 6:12). I have to ask...why would anyone do that to a child, especially if it's not benefiting them at all? Baptism does not save anybody (the blood of Jesus washes away our sins, according to 1 John 1:7, not chlorinated water). So, with that option eliminated, consider why on earth anyone would immerse an infant in water over its head for the sake of ritual. Who would DO such a thing? That's called attempted murder. Therefore, if baptism doesn't save, and it makes no sense to immerse a baby in water over its head, what's the point? If your denomination traditionally sprinkles water on a baby's head, and water doesn't save and sprinkling doesn't qualify as a biblically-defined baptism, why would anyone submit to or take part in a ritualistic "forehead washing" either? Has baptism been reduced to initiation into a religious sect? It's GOT to be more than some weird form of Christian hazing.
Let's not check our brains at the door, shall we?
DOES BAPTISM SAVE US?
No, I don't believe so. Neither does a Profession of Faith or a Sinner's Prayer, while were on the subject. Better theologians than I have been arguing the matter for years while thousands of perfectly dry people are going to Hell. Acts 16:30-31 and Romans 10:9-10 are pretty clear to me. I think all Christians will agree that we were all saved by the blood of Christ shed at the cross. Not by water. Not by good deeds. Not by religion. Not by church affiliation. It is interesting to note that Jesus - the One who said He came as an example, never baptized a soul. "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). If water baptism were necessary for salvation, wouldn't Jesus have been busily about baptizing people rather than feeding them loaves and fishes or preaching sermons? Jesus presented Himself to the Jews as their Messiah with signs and wonders, but He did not baptize them.
The Apostle Paul, himself, only baptized a few. "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 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 1:13-17).
Those who teach that baptism is necessary for salvation overlook this statement of Paul's. If water baptism were necessary for salvation, would not Paul have made water baptism a central theme of his ministry, too? Instead, he taught the "baptism of the Holy Spirit," which occurs when one is born again and it is a spiritual identification as the believer is placed IN Christ. "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free" (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Spirit baptizes us, or identifies us, as a child of God and then seals us and sets us apart to the "day of redemption" or the day when our redemption will be completed and we see Him "face to face." "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30).
So, is baptism necessary for salvation? If the question is concerning water baptism, the answer is no. We are not saved by ritual or works but by "grace through faith." "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, I don't believe water baptism ever saved anyone, despite the standard verses used by many to support that position. I baptized 16 kids from a gang called The Crypts one day, some of them glassy-eyed and smelling like marijuana. Saved by water baptism or merely publicly bathed while wearing white gowns? While discipling those kids, only a few ever bore any fruit and repented from that lifestyle.
On the other hand, the baptism of the Spirit is necessary for salvation and that has nothing whatever to do with water and it is not something we do for ourselves. His indwelling presence is God's free gift to us at the moment we put our faith in Jesus and are born again. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God..." (Rom 8;16).
Great damage has been done throughout the Christian world by the traditions of various denominations in regard to this subject (Matthew 16:6), making the Word of God of no effect. Christians have so many convictions regarding what it means to "be saved" that it has led us to focus too much on HOW to be saved and has us trying to spread a divided, unbiblical "Gospel of Salvation" rather than the Gospel of the Kingdom, as Jesus and His disciples did. Our variois salvation techniques have done little more than to sow confusion in many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, over the generations.
SO, WHY BAPTIZE AT ALL?
For starters, King Jesus decreed that we should. He commissioned us to do so (Matthew 28:19).
Secondly, He was baptized and we are to follow His example (John 13:15).
That's good enough for me. There are over 30 references in the New Testament to some form of "following me" or "following Him" and, as followers of Christ, I contend that this actually means we are to follow Him.
Quite simple.
No matter how excited grandma was the day Uncle Joe got dunked, fact is, he probably did it just to shut her up. His devious plan probably worked, too. She immediately set her sights on cousin Billy Bob at that point. As the Scripture says, "Man looks at the outside, God looks at the heart," (1 Sam 16:7). Regardless of the religious hoops we jump through, God's not interested in our performance or adherence to manmade religious rituals.
He wants our hearts.
In baptism, the washing away of sin is implied, not merely as a clean of our slates but as a removal of the obstacle to peace and reconciliation with God. As a reenactment of both the Exodus of Israel and Resurrection of Jesus, it bears witness to the God who has rescued us and raises us to new life. It is nothing anyone can earn or merit, but is solely the rescuing work of God, motivated by His love. It is an act of obedience and serves as a public witness to anyone watching. Though they will eventually observe the transformation of a life submitted to Jesus, some will see baptism as an outward sign of something going on deep within the one being baptized and may experience the planting of the seed of conviction.
I have some basic "Baptism How-To's" pertaining to the baptismal procedure I've used for years. They're available to anyone who asks and come with a short teaching that can be shared with any baptismal candidate. Simply send me an eMail at team1min@our-town.com with the word "DUNK" in your Subject Bar.
Every blessing,
Related Tags: children, christian, baby, infant, dedication, christening, baptism, baptize, immersion, sprinkling
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Tummillo
A servant of God
www.YourTown4Jesus.org
His mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since '99, he has broadcast over 600 inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects sure to interest the thinking Christian and accelerate the process of spiritual development. He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries. An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as "Your Town for Jesus" are read around the globe. Subscribe at team1min@our-town.com.com
A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is the Workplace Chaplain for a Texas firm, overseeing the Spiritual Development of over 500 employees at ten facilities throughout the state. He is a strong advocate for the House Church Movement, readily available to assist Christians feeling that same inclination. A Speaker on the Christian Speaker Network, he may be available to speak to your church or Christian group. http://www.YourTown4Jesus.org
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