THE BIBLE AND BAPTISM {PART 1}

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 THE BIBLE AND BAPTISM {PART 1} 

Water Baptism and its Significance

Presenter: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu {Sunday Director}

Devotional Text: Matt. 28:19

INTRODUCTION:

Water Baptism is one of the ordinances instituted by JESUS CHRIST (Matt. 28:19), though it was earlier a rite for the forgiveness of sin, in the ministry of John, the Baptist,(Matt. 3:1-12). By way of definition, Water Baptism is the Christian rite of initiation that symbolises identification with, and commitment to CHRIST, as well as the public declaration of the believer’s faith in the LORD. The biblical concept of Water Baptism is derived from the Greek word “baptizo”, which means to immerse or dip into water. Other modes of Water Baptism which have no biblical foundation include; effusion (pouring) and aspersion (sprinkling). Water Baptism has no salvific benefits, as the Roman Catholic and some orthodox churches believe and propagate. It does not equally signify the covenant relationship between GOD and HIS people, as in the Old Testament rite of circumcision, which is the Reformed/Presbyterian concept of the rite, but a symbolic and open identification with the death and resurrection of our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, (Rom. 6:1-14). 

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)      Water Baptism is for those who confess and repent of their sins, (Matt. 5-6)

(2)       Water Baptism is equally for those who are willing to produce fruit in keeping with repentance, (vs. 7-9)

(3)      Water Baptism does not portray one a child of Abraham (or God), but good fruit does, (vs.9-10)

(4)      Water Baptism is not a licence to ungodly living, but a reminder of God’s judgment, (vs. 9-10)

WATER BAPTISM IS THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE BELIEVER WITH THE DEATH OF CHRIST

Water Baptism is the believer’s outward identification with the inward reality of his initiation into CHRIST and His DEATH. And, this shows that Water baptism is biblically for those who have truly repented of their sins, and have totally surrendered their lives to CHRIST. To this end, the Apostle Paul remarks,... “Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 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”... “We too may live a new life”. (Rom. 6:1-4). In fact, the cited scriptural reference strictly implies that Water Baptism is not an initiation rite for church membership, but the believer’s open declaration of commitment to live in newness of life for CHRIST. Based on the foregoing, this lesson asserts that Water Baptism is for those who have:

(i)                    Submitted the old self to be crucified with CHRIST that the body of sin might be done away with, (vs. 6)

(ii)                  Died to  sin, but alive to God in CHRIST JESUS, (vs. 10-11)

(iii)                 Made the decision not to allow sin reign in their bodies or obey its evil desires, (vs. 12)

WATER BAPTISM IS ALSO THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE BELIEVER WITH THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

The biblical expression, “if we have been united with HIM like this in HIS DEATH, we will certainly also be united with HIM in HIS RESURRECTION (Rom.6:5) definitely authenticates the truth that Water Baptism symbolically identifies the believer with the RESURRECTION of CHRIST. In this connection, when the believer is immersed or dipped into water during baptism, he symbolically identifies with the death of CHRIST, and when he is raised or lifted out of the water he also identifies with HIS RESURRECTION. This stresses the importance and one of the significances of Water Baptism, but in no way should it be considered a means of salvation, since, according to JESUS CHRIST our BLESSED SAVIOUR, it is proper to fulfil all righteousness, (Matt. 3:13-15). Note further that salvation is by means of spiritual wash ,by the HOLY SPIRIT (Titus 3:5), but Water Baptism is the immersing of the believer so washed, into natural water as symbolic identification with the DEATH and RESURRECTION of our LORD. By this, therefore, this lesson re-affirms that Water Baptism:

(i)                    Symbolically unites the believer with CHRIST’S DEATH and RESURRECTION, (Romans 6:5)

(ii)                  Is not a means of salvation, since it is the LORD HIMSELF that saves, (Titus 3:3-7)

(iii)                 Is meaningless where the believer is not resurrected from spiritual death to life or have victory over sin, (Romans 6:13)

WATER BAPTISM REMINDS THE BELIEVER OF THE OLD SELF WHICH IS CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

Water Baptism is a pointer to the scriptural truth that...”our old self was crucified with CHRIST, so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Rom. 6:6), which implies that the baptised believer should be conscious of the need to live for the LORD in holiness, against sinful desires and ungodly behaviour. Water Baptism is not ordinary, but something with spiritual implication. It is not a mere ceremony, but an outward rite that points to inward reality which had taken place before the baptism. In line with this, one needs to be saved (from sin) before Water Baptism, since, it is wrong to baptise someone whose old self is not crucified with CHRIST or is still a slave of sin, ( vs.6). This biblically implies that:

(i)                    The power of sin (old self) needs to be broken in one’s life before Water Baptism, (vs. 6)

(ii)                  One has to surrender one’s “old self” (in principle) for crucifixion with CHRIST in Water Baptism, (vs. 6)

(iii)                 The crucifixion of “old self” means that sin will no longer be permitted to reign in the believer’s life after Water Baptism, (vs.6)

In conclusion, please, note once again that Water Baptism is one of the essential rites of the Christian faith, but has no salvafic benefits, but symbolically depicts CHRIST and HIS accomplished work of salvation. The biblical mode of Water Baptism is “immersion” (to dip), as the dipping into water represents one’s identification with CHRIST in His burial, whereas, the lifting of one out of water pictures one’s identification with His resurrection, and a declaration to live in newness of life, (Rom. 6:1-4). And, note also that GOD’S Word teaches that Water Baptism is to be conducted in the NAME of the FATHER, SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT (Matt. 28:19) or in the NAME of JESUS ( Acts 10:47-48). BE INFORMED!