What is Baptism?

Some Questions and Answers

"Baptism" comes from the Greek verb "baptizo" which means "to dip under" or "immerse" (Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon). Baptism is a rite associated with most Christian groups because it is strongly attested to in Scripture. Indeed it is a command of Jesus (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18-20).

For many centuries, Christians baptized or "christened" infants. But in the seventeenth century, as people read the Bible carefully, they noticed that the Bible does not teach this! In fact, the Bible record of baptisms always notes that people heard the good news about Jesus, believed in Jesus as Saviour, and then were baptized (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38, 2:42, 8:12, 8:36-38, 10:47-48, 18:8).

So "Baptists" emerged as a group of Christians who believed that baptism of believers was the norm for the church.

1. What is Baptism?
From ancient times, the people of God had used symbolic washings as symbols of the cleansing of God (Exodus 24:4, Leviticus 16:4, 1 Kings 5:1-14). John the Baptist came, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was baptized by John, not because He sinned, but because He chose to identify Himself with sinners, looking forward to His taking the sinners’ place on the cross (Matthew 3:13-17).

Baptism, then, is symbolic of God’s cleansing. It is symbolic of the regeneration that happens when a person accepts Jesus as his/her personal Saviour. The old person (the person that didn’t believe in Jesus and was spiritually dead) dies, and the new person (the person who believes in Jesus, and who is spiritually alive) rises to new live (see Romans 6:1-11, 8:1-16).

Baptism is symbolic of the new life that a person has in Jesus Christ. Baptism does not save a person! A person who is baptized has already been saved by faith in Jesus (See "What is a Christian?").

Baptism is important for a believer. It is an important step of obedience to Jesus Christ, and an important step of personal commitment and witness (see below).

2.Who Should Be Baptized?
As noted above, the biblical pattern is always that people (1) hear the good news about Jesus, (2) believe in Jesus as their personal Saviour, and (3) are baptized. Therefore Baptists insist that a person be mature enough to be able to hear and understand the good news, and make their own faith response to the good news. Baptism is for believers.

3. How should Baptism be Done?
Baptists have always believed that water baptism by immersion is the proper mode of baptism. The reasons for this are threefold:

	The Greek verb "baptizo" only means "dip under," or "immerse"
	Several biblical references clearly imply immersion (Mark 1:10, John 3:23, Acts 8:38-39)
	The imagery of Romans 6:1-11 and 8:1-16 likens baptism to death, burial and resurrection. Baptism by immersion captures something of this as the person is "buried" under the water and is "resurrected" when raised up from the water.
	Baptism symbolizes cleansing. It also symbolizes how cleansing comes about – by being buried with Jesus and rising again to newness of life.

4.Why Should I Be Baptized?
If you believe in Jesus as your Saviour you should be baptized! Here are some reasons:

	It is a command of your Saviour, Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). We ought to obey His command! Baptism is an important first step of obedience (John 14:15).
	It follows the example of your Saviour, Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:13-17). We ought not to consider ourselves better than Him!
	It is a public testimony of our faith in Jesus as our Saviour. It is good for us to acknowledge our faith publicly. It solidifies our decision. And it is a witness to others. When a person is baptized he/she is publicly proclaiming his/her faith – which is very influential to others.
	It is a public expression of our desire to make Jesus Lord of our lives – to live a more Christ-like life! This will not be easy! But it is good for us to make that public declaration. Then we can anticipate the encouragement and support of our Christian brothers and sisters.

5. What About Infant Baptism in Other Traditions?
Other Christian traditions do practice infant baptism. Normally these churches do have some form of "Confirmation" later on, when people are mature enough to make their own faith decisions.

Different traditions understand infant baptism differently. In some churches, this baptism is seen as essential to salvation, and saves the child; thus all children can and should be baptized as soon as possible. In other churches, only the children of believing parents are baptized, and that the children are saved by their parents faith. Still others believe that infant baptism is a promise of future salvation!
The challenge with these views is finding biblical support. It isn’t there. This is why the first "Baptists" championed baptism for believers! It is difficult to find strong biblical support for any other view!

For more information, contact:

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

11908 - 132 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5E 1A9

(780) 454-1347