Hello friends, welcome back to The Faith of Contemporary Believers which is a continuation of New Hearts, Fresh Beginning and Ancient Teachings for Modern Man written by Rev Caleb Su.

Over the last few weeks, we have talked about the Triune God and the need to participate in church with believers in worship and to serve God. Today, let’s talk about baptism.

In Christianity, there are two sacraments - baptism and the Holy Communion. They are distinctly advocated for in Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 22:19-20.

John Calvin, the theologian, regarded the sacraments as a sign; whereas, Saint Augustine regarded baptism as an outward sign of an inner spiritual grace, a visible sign depicted by the rituals of the sacraments. In other words, God’s grace is invisible but His Grace can be conveyed through visible signs. This being the case, it is necessary to embrace a specific element as a medium of grace.

Man needs this medium of grace to affirm God’s love for us. In baptism, water is the visible medium of grace; in the Holy Communion, the bread and grape juice are the visible medium of grace; coupled with the Word of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit the sacraments become effectual. Thus, we consider baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments established by God through Jesus Christ. 

Why do Christians call for baptism? What is the proper motive for baptism?

For some people, the motive for baptism is to become members of the church, following a specific directive of the church. However, this should not be our sole motive for getting baptised. Our motive should be simple; and should not be mixed with less important purposes.

Some parents might say, “If my children are baptised, then I want to be baptised as well.” That is wrong. As parents, we must personally establish a relationship with God first. Jesus is my Redeemer and I am one of His people; I trust in Him, and He has delivered me from sin; therefore, I am willing to be baptised in His name.

In that respect people might say, “well, we can be saved after baptism.” That is wrong! Baptism cannot save us. The Bible clearly says that one is redeemed because he trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ; he is saved after sins are forgiven. Thus, baptism is just an indication to confirm that we are redeemed. It is the salvation that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross that washes away our sins. It is the precious blood that He shed, and it is His life replacing our lives that saves us, not through baptism. So, it is wrong to say, “Baptism can wash away all my sins.”

And it is not right to say, “Since my best friends are baptised, so I’ll follow them” or “I am ashamed to decline pastor’s invitation to get baptised.”

Some parents worry that if they are not Christians, they cannot be buried according to Christian rites. The church cannot hold a funeral for them and it is troublesome for their children who are Christians to pay their respect. Similarly, it might also be inappropriate to get Taoists and monks from other religions to handle their funeral, so they get baptised for their children’s sake. Though the motive is thoughtful, the attitude is wrong.

Likewise, some may want to testify in public that they are getting baptised because they are the consecrated ones who trust in Jesus. Indeed, baptism is a testimony. I recall that I led a sister who lived in a small village to believe in Jesus, and she was going for baptism. Unexpectedly, she told me a day before the baptism that her mother opposed. I asked “Why?” Her mother said, “After the baptism, she would not be able to get married.” To non-believers, they considered baptism as a formal rite to becoming officially a Christian. If her daughter has not been baptised, she could still hold incense sticks and marry someone who is not a believer.

Friends, baptism is a testimony through which you clearly declare to the world that from now on you are a Christian. Baptism is the command and example of the Lord Jesus. Jesus was baptised while He was on earth, and He also wanted us to be baptised. Therefore, we should obey our Lord’s command.

The Meaning of Baptism

Romans 6:3-5 say, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised 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. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” According to this passage, what kind of relationship do we have with Christ when we get baptised? It is said that we are “baptised into Jesus Christ and be united with Him”, that indicates we died and are buried with Christ. Hence, we receive a new life. I become united with Him; His life became mine.

1 Corinthians 12:13says, “ For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” What sort of relationship does every believer establish with the church through baptism? Baptism brings a believer into the body of Christ (that is, the church). From that point forward, the baptised person has established a life connection with other members of the church. Therefore, one should stay connected with the church because through baptism, this person is a member of the church; he is part of a community with other brothers and sisters, which is in a body. This is a really significant relationship.

The Method of Baptism: Immersion, Pouring or Sprinkling

The Baptists consider baptism by immersion can better express the truth of death, burial, and resurrection with the Lord. What is your opinion? John Calvin once said, “Whether the person who is baptised be wholly immersed, and whether thrice or once, or whether water be only poured or sprinkled upon him, is of no importance; churches ought to be left at liberty in this respect, to act according to the difference of countries. Nonetheless, the term ‘baptism’ originally meant to be immersed in water, and what the church did in ancient times were indeed baptised.” This is clearly stated in his book The Essentials of Christian Faith. And it appears that John Calvin agrees with this method of baptism. However, because of long-standing traditions, the Presbyterians are most used to the rituals of pouring and sprinkling, which they still observe to this day.

Rev Caleb Su reckons that the form of baptism should clearly convey the truth of death, burial, and resurrection with the Lord. However, we must also remember that the form of baptism must not be conjured up, thinking that only through the form of immersion can spiritual effects be achieved, thus negating the spiritual meaning of sprinkling.

Was Jesus truly buried in the earth with the Lord? The answer is no. In terms of form, Jesus was buried in a flat tomb, not under the ground. Thus, immersion is not the same as the way Jesus was buried. Thus, it is not helpful to argue about the form of baptism, and we must keep this fundamental principle in mind.

Some Baptists emphasize that immersion is necessary; that it is wrong if there is no immersion. This perspective seems extreme. According to the views of the Baptist, the Presbyterians and Lutherans who use pouring and sprinkling for baptism is incompatible with the teachings of the Bible.

First, according to the research of Dr. K.S. Wuest, the Baptist, the Greek word “baptizo” has three basic applications. ① to depict a sinking ship (covered by the sea), ② to describe workers immersing a cloth to dye (covered by colour) and ③ to depict the potter who is putting the pottery in the kiln (completely covered by fire). In other words, baptism should be carried out by immersing the whole body.

However, according to the Theological Dictionary, “baptizo” can also be used as “pouring or sprinkling on it.” Matthew 7:3 says, “The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.” And Luke 11:38, “But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.” Jews usually wash their hands by scooping water instead of putting their hands into the dish; otherwise, the water in the dish will become dirty. Thus, it is not necessarily correct to use the original “baptizo” to explicate.

Second, the Baptists later used the Hebrew word “tabal”, which is similar to the Greek “bapto” or “baptizo”, and it can also be translated as “dipping” or “immersing”. But Leviticus 14:6 mentions that the priest should “tabal” cedar wood, scarlet yarn and the hyssop in bird’s blood. How much of bird’s blood is required? How would one completely dye all the cedar wood, scarlet yarn and the hyssop? Therefore, since it’s impossible to completely immerse in the blood, the word “tabal” doesn’t seem to only refer to immersion in Leviticus 6:28 and 11:32. Sometimes the word is used to say “sprinkle blood on the altar.” And this sprinkle is “tabal”. In short, bear in mind not to make baptism by immersion absolute: pouring and sprinkling are also options.

We truly thank God that “His word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Let us pay more attention to the relationship with Him rather than fixate on form of baptism. May God give us wisdom and a humble spirit to learn the Truth.