Baptism

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Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.

Baptism is a ritual in which a body is immersed or soaked in water, and is the first step and necessary practice to receive salvation. It means that the body of sin is buried in water and is born again in God.[1] The original Greek word for baptism is βάπτισμα (Baptisma).[2]

Meaning of Baptism

Burial of Sins

Baptism is a ritual in which the body is immersed or soaked in water. The original Greek word for baptism is βάπτισμα (Baptisma),[3] which is derived from βαπτίζω (Baptizo),[4] meaning “to dip, to immerse.” Baptism which is conducted with water represents that all the sins committed in the past are buried in water to be a Christian.


Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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.

Romans 6:3-4


Just as Jesus died on the cross and rose after being buried in the tomb, the saints are buried in water by being baptized and receiving a new life. Therefore, baptism is done by soaking the whole body in water as if the body was buried in a tomb.

The Bible describes the baptism of Jesus Christ and that of the Ethiopian eunuch as “going (coming) up out of the water” and “going down into the water.” This suggests that baptism was done by immersing the whole body.[5][6]

Baptism and Sprinkling

Sprinkling was an inevitable replacement in case there was not enough water to soak the whole body such as in the desert where water is scarce, or for a patient who is unable to immerse the whole body for medical reasons.[7]

However, around AD 120, people began conducting baptism by sprinkling instead of immersing the whole body even in situations where they had enough water.[8] And ever since the 13th century, sprinkling was very common.[9][10] Nowadays, the original meaning of baptism has vanished and sprinkling is conducted in most Christian denominations such as the Catholic Church and the Protestant churches.

Circumcision in the Old Testament Is Baptism in the New Testament

In the Old Testament times, the Israelites performed circumcision as a sign of becoming God’s people.[11] Apostle Paul referred to baptism as the “circumcision done by Christ,” and explained that circumcision in the Old Testament changed into baptism in the New Testament.

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism.

Colossians 2:11-12


In the New Testament times, people can be acknowledged as Christians through baptism instead of circumcision.[12] Apostle Paul rebuked the Galatians for insisting on circumcision which was an old covenant law,[13] and he preached the importance of baptism as the new covenant law established by Jesus.[14]

In the Old Testament times, circumcision was a prerequisite for keeping the Passover.[15][16] Likewise, in the New Testament times, which is the reality, only those who have been baptized can participate in the Holy Supper of the New Covenant Passover.

Origin of Baptism

God said that He would send the prophet Elijah to prepare the way for Him before He came to this earth as the Messiah. Elijah’s mission was to testify about the Messiah and to prepare the path for Him.[17] John the Baptist, who appeared with the mission of Elijah, urged the Israelites to repent[18] and gave them the baptism of repentance.

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Mark 1:4-5


John did not conduct baptism by his personal opinion, but by the direction of God who sent him.[19] Jesus showed that baptism is a holy law of God by setting an example of being baptized by John. 

Jesus gives baptism.
Jesus gives baptism.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.

Matthew 3:13-16


Also, by baptizing people, He showed them that baptism was not just a decree that was practiced to testify about Him, but the law of the new covenant that we must follow for our salvation.


After this, 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.

John 3:22-23


Importance of Baptism

The Bible says that mankind is destined to die due to the wages of their sins.[20] In order to receive salvation, people must be forgiven of their sins. One of the laws of God that contain the principle of the forgiveness of sins is baptism.[21][22][23]


[A]nd this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also . . . It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:21


As salvation by faith was emphasized since the 16th century Reformation, many churches began interpreting the meaning of baptism as a mere sign of repentance. However, baptism is a sign of salvation, and it is the first step that must be taken by those who want to be reborn as God’s children. This is why Jesus taught that people must be born again of water and the Spirit in order to enter heaven.


In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. . . . I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

John 3:3-5


Some insist that they do not have to be baptized to be saved because they are saved by faith. If baptism had nothing to do with salvation, Jesus would not have taught us to be baptized. However, Jesus said, “Those who believe and are baptized will be saved,”[21] and commanded us to baptize people by setting an example of giving baptism.[24][25] Apostle Peter, who had learned directly from Jesus, also taught people to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins.[22] Therefore, insisting that baptism has nothing to do with salvation is to deny the words of Jesus and reject the testimony of the apostles. Just as a person’s birth and name are registered once he or she is born, people’s names are recorded in the book of life, which is like the heavenly family register, when they are born with a new life through baptism.[26][27][28][29][30] Through baptism, they make the promise to stay away from sin and live in the reverence of God as the holy people of heaven.

Time for Baptism

Baptism is equivalent to the birth of a baby. Just as a person who is born gradually learns the principles of the world and becomes a mature adult, a person receives the forgiveness of sins and is born again as a child of God through baptism and learns God’s providence and principles.[31] For this reason, Jesus told His people to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them first and teaching them to obey the truth of God.[25] When one has the desire to believe in God, he or she should be baptized first and then learn to resemble God’s nature by living a life of faith; this is the correct order. Baptism, a sign of salvation, is an urgent and important ceremony for humans who cannot see the future.[32][33] The apostles who had been taught by Jesus baptized people immediately after preaching the word. This shows that baptism is such an urgent and crucial ceremony.

The Baptism of The Ethiopian Eunuch by Gijsbert J. Sibilla
  • Philip preached the gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch he met on the road. When the eunuch came to a place with water and wanted to be baptized, Philip baptized him immediately.[34]
  • Apostle Paul, who was a Jew, received Christ in a vision on the road to Damascus and was baptized immediately as soon as he was converted and his sight was restored.[35]
  • Apostle Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, visited Cornelius, the centurion of the Italian army, preached to him and baptized him and his family immediately.[36]
  • Apostle Paul preached the gospel to Lydia while looking for a place of prayer on the Sabbath day in Philippi, and baptized her whole family.[37]
  • When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, an earthquake occurred and the prison gate opened. The jailer heard the gospel, and he and his family were immediately baptized although it was midnight.[38]

Thus, the early Church conducted baptism without delay. However, education for preparing for baptism was gradually provided in the churches. From the 2nd century, most churches began to practice baptism on the Resurrection Day.[39] Due to this custom, many churches still conduct baptism on the Resurrection Day.[40] However, it is against the teachings of the Bible to teach that people need to be baptized after completing an education for a certain period of time.[41][42][43]

Rebaptism

Rebaptism refers to baptism conducted for those who have received baptism in a place where there is no promise of salvation.[44] Although they have already received baptism, they must be re baptized in the name of the Savior who has the power to forgive sins in the church that practices the truth. Baptism is not just a ritual, but an important regulation that contains God’s promise. True baptism that leads to salvation must be conducted in the church that believes in God the Savior and follows the gospel of the new covenant. In the Bible, there is a scene where Apostle Paul rebaptizes people because they were baptized without knowing Jesus, who came as the Savior in the Age of the Son.


So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 19:3-5


Paul preached Christ to those who had already been baptized by John the Baptist and baptized them again in the name of Jesus. It is because baptisms received without knowing Jesus, the Savior of that age, did not contain the blessing of salvation. The Saviors in the Age of the Holy Spirit are the Spirit and the Bride.[45] Therefore, those who have been baptized in a church that does not know the Spirit and the Bride must be baptized again in the church that believes in the Spirit and the Bride who are the Saviors. In addition, in order to receive a baptism approved by God, it is a given that they must receive it in the church where God dwells. Zion is the church where God dwells, and it is where God’s feasts are celebrated.[46][47] The Passover, on which Jesus proclaimed the new covenant, is a representative feast of God. Today, many churches are practicing lawlessness, that is, the commands of men such as Sunday worship and Christmas, instead of the truth of the new covenant. Since Jesus said that those who practice lawlessness cannot enter the kingdom of heaven,[48] baptism performed in the church that practices lawlessness is meaningless. Anyone who has been baptized in such a church must receive the baptism of salvation in the church that has the truth about the Savior of this age and that practices the truths of the Bible such as the Passover and the Sabbath.

See also

Related videos

  • Sermon: Be Baptized Immediately

  • Jesus’ New Name, Baptism in the Name of Christ Ahnsahnghong

References

  1. ↑ "Colossians 2:12".
  2. ↑ "Strong's #908 - βάπτισμα". StudyLight.org.
  3. ↑ "Matthew 3". Bible Hub.
  4. ↑ "Strong's #907 - βαπτίζω". StudyLight.org.
  5. ↑ "Matthew 3:13–16".
  6. ↑ "Acts 8:35–39".
  7. ↑ Debate on the Action of Baptism, the Design of Baptism, the Subjects of Baptism, The Work of the Holy Spirit, The Discipline of the M.E. Church and Human Creeds, Clark Braden, Franklin & Rice, For C. Braden, 1868
  8. ↑ The Act of Baptism in the History of the Christian Church, Henry S. Burrage, America Baptist Publication Society, 1879, pg. 152
  9. ↑ SECOND PERIOD. A.D. 100–311, HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, VOL. II., ANTE-NICENE CHRISTIANITY A.D. 100–325, Philip Schaff, pg. 250, NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS, 1884
  10. ↑ Armenia, The Popular Encyclopedia Volume 1, pg. 265, Blackie & Son, 1880
  11. ↑ "Genesis 17:10–14".
  12. ↑ Colossians 2:11–12
  13. ↑ "Galatians 5:2".
  14. ↑ "Galatians 3:26–27".
  15. ↑ "Exodus 12:43–48".
  16. ↑ "Joshua 5:2–12".
  17. ↑ "Isaiah 40:3".
  18. ↑ "Matthew 3:7-9".
  19. ↑ "John 1:33".
  20. ↑ "Romans 6:23".
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Mark 16:16".
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Acts 2:38".
  23. ↑ "Acts 22:16".
  24. ↑ "John 3:22".
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Matthew 28:18–20".
  26. ↑ "Matthew 16:19".
  27. ↑ "Luke 10:20".
  28. ↑ "Isaiah 4:3".
  29. ↑ "Revelation 20:15".
  30. ↑ "Revelation 21:27".
  31. ↑ "Ephesians 1:7–9".
  32. ↑ "Proverbs 27:1".
  33. ↑ "Luke 12:16–20".
  34. ↑ "Acts 8:26–39".
  35. ↑ "Acts 9:1–18".
  36. ↑ "Acts 10:1–48".
  37. ↑ "Acts 16:13-15".
  38. ↑ "Acts 16:25–34".
  39. ↑ A succinct history of Baptism, pg. 137, The Churchman's Monthly Magazine: Volume 1, January 1804
  40. ↑ "Easter Vigil". Reformed Worship.
  41. ↑ baptism, Church Glossary: Administration & Education, Life Book, 2013
  42. ↑ Article 6 Sacraments, Constitutional Rules, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea
  43. ↑ Anabaptist summary, Britannica, “This is different from the ideas of Anabaptists who deny infant baptism.”
  44. ↑ Matters of Moment, The Bible in the World, Volume 5, pg. 263. Cornell University Library, 1909
  45. ↑ "Revelation 22:17".
  46. ↑ "Psalms 132:13–14".
  47. ↑ "Isaiah 33:20".
  48. ↑ "Matthew 7:21–23".
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