What’s the Big Deal with Baptism?

Baptists get our name from one thing we are big at doing– baptizing. Baptism doesn’t belong to Baptists though. The New Testament shows us John the Baptist baptizing for repentance. Jesus comes along and asks to be baptized despite the fact that he never sinned. He does this to show us something important. He is kicking off his ministry and he is setting a new direction that the Christian church would follow. The early Christians would baptize others to bring them into the church and it became an important part of the church. At times in history candidates for baptism had to wait for a long time to study and prepare and then be baptized often at Easter. As the church became organized and with the high death rate for infants folks began to worry about the fate of those who died without being baptized. Baptism seemed to be tied more and more with being Christian. The reformation strengthened the belief that salvation is by faith alone. Yet the Reformers typically kept infant baptism. The Radical Reformers did away with it and stressed believer’s baptism. In the 1600s Baptists would also practice believer’s baptism. The amount of water was not the issue. In fact pouring was done before immersion but it was the fact that a person had accepted Christ and chosen to be baptized. Baptism to Baptists is a symbol of what God has done and is not necessary for salvation.

So a few points that Baptists would stress today–

*Baptism is for believers. We do not baptize infants. Some denominations baptize infants today and it is a promise to raise that child in the faith and the child has confirmation later to make his/her decision for Christ. We do not do this. Some baptists do have child dedications which have no special eternal changes but are a way for parents to promise to raise the child in faith. But we only baptize those who have chosen to accept Christ. Some have age requirements that a candidate must be a certain age but must don’t. Children are baptized but we should always strive to make sure the child has an understanding of what he/she is doing.

*Baptism is not a part of salvation. When the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him Jesus said that “today” he would be in paradise. He was never baptized. When we read the Scripture we believe that salvation in the NT is not of waters “lest anyone should boast.” If baptism saved then that is something we can do and that isn’t Biblical. We believe you are saved only by trusting in Christ.

So why be baptized? Why do we do it through immersion (taking someone completely underwater)? If I can go to heaven without it why do it? Baptists believe it is a visible symbol that should others what has happened internally. We have had our sins washed away by the grace of Christ. We are dead in our sins and risen in Christ. The baptism symbolizes that and is commanded by Scripture. Baptists have two ordinances (two set aside practices that are used to symbolize) and this is one (the other is the Lord’s Supper). Unlike Roman Catholics we believe the Lord’s Supper is also a memorial/symbol and represents Christ’s blood and body but is not literal (Catholics believe it is). Baptism is also a symbol.

So we do it because Jesus said so and because it is part of our Christian practice. We do it to be a testimony to others to the decision we have made. It bears witness to our decision and those who watch see the work of God in our lives and may follow suit (this is why we don’t need private services but need to keep it public). In early days it was done in creeks and lakes for practical reasons but it also served as a great testimony. Most Baptists have baptism pools to do this in side the building but it is a part of our worship service and is public.

I compare it to graduation. When you complete the 12th grade you are done and can go to college. You don’t have to attend the ceremony. They could mail you the diploma. If you lose the diploma you are still a graduate! You go to do two things. First you go to celebrate. Second you go to be a witness to your community that you graduated. Others see it and know they can too. So we are baptized to celebrate!!! Second we are baptized to bear witness!!

Baptist churches baptized through immersion and by believer’s baptism. However one controversy we’ve struggled with and still struggle. What about those who want to join from other churches and are already baptized? If they are baptized in the same way we do it most Baptist churches will accept them by statement of faith. Some will not unless it was a Baptist church (this goes back to a movement called Landmarkism) and do not accept baptism from any other church. Most are not that strict. If it is a Baptist church the other church sends a letter stating that the person is a member in good standing and the new church accepts them. If that church does not exist or something else has happened the person by his/her statement is generally accepted.

But what about those who were baptized by infants? Most Baptist churches insist that while the person may be a Christian that since we do not see infant baptism as baptism that the be baptized. Folks sometimes say we are forcing them to be ‘rebaptized’ while others say the previous baptism is not a baptism. Debate on how to discuss this continues. Some Baptist churches will go ahead and accept the person baptized as an infant by a statement of faith even though they themselves do not baptize infants. Many churches disagree with this but there are both examples in Baptist life. Many churches will be careful to not insult the person who was baptized as an infant and see that a valuable part of their journey but still insist on baptism not because it wasn’t a Baptist church but because it wasn’t believer’s baptism.

Baptism is an important part of the Christian life. I believe it is Biblical, important, and a great statement of faith to the world. I do not believe one has to be baptized to be saved. We are saved by accepting Christ. We are not saved by church membership, baptism, being good, or coming from a Christian home. It is by trusting Christ alone. Having said that I believe we should then be baptized to celebrate and to show others that they too can come follow Christ. It symbolizes that new creature we have become. Jesus washed our sins away!

Blessings,

Derik