Have you been baptized in water? How old were you when you were baptized? Do you remember the experience? Did you decide to be baptized or was the decision made by someone close to you (e.g. your parents, grandparents, etc.)? Were you sprinkled, dipped all the way under, or poured on?
These may seem like odd questions--but they're not as odd as you may think. Because baptism is understood (theologically) in various ways in various denominations these matters are not necessarily inconsequential. My hope today is to supply a relatively brief summary of water baptism as I understand it according to the New Testament; and to challenge you to consider what the Scriptures say about baptism. If you have never been baptized, I also encourage you to prayerfully consider being obedient to the command of Christ.
WHO: Who should be baptized? Anyone (male or female, young or old, black or white, etc.) who has personally repented of his or her sins and placed his or her faith in the Person and (saving) work of Jesus Christ alone for the free gift of salvation (forgiveness of sins, the gift of eternal life, the promise of heaven, etc.). In other words, every disciple (i.e. follower) of Jesus Christ is to be baptized in water. [See John 3:16; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 28:19]
WHAT: What is water baptism? It is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I understand that many denominations practice or encourage sprinkling water or pouring water over the heads of those being baptized (whether child or adult), but all of my research and understanding of the Greek language has informed me that the Greek word baptizo means to dip, immerse, or plunge. In fact, the Greek word is used in non-Christian literature to mean sink (e.g. a sunken ship under water) or soak (e.g. to submerge cloth into a dye). Therefore, it seems best (in my humble opinion) to immerse a disciple in (under) water rather than apply water to the head (by pouring or sprinkling). At the same time, while I believe in and practice full immersion, I do not believe the mode of baptism is an issue Christians should divide over. I can certainly call my friends who sprinkle or pour "brothers and sisters in Christ"... we just agree to disagree over the mode of baptism. [See Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:5; John 3:23; Acts 8:38--these texts indicate the need for much water, which at least suggests the mode of immersion rather than sprinkling or pouring... Matthew 28:19 notes that disciples are to be baptized in the name of the Trinity]
WHEN: When should a disciple be baptized? As soon as possible after a person has repented and believed on Christ (i.e. once a person has been converted). It is sad in our day that so many Christians either put off being baptized in water, or think it is unimportant. The very first commandment to be obeyed by any new disciple of Christ is this: be baptized! [See Acts 2:38; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 16:33; Acts 22:16]
WHERE: Where should someone be baptized? Does it have to be in a church? Is baptism about a special/holy/sacred place? That does not seem to be the thrust of the New Testament's teaching on the matter. I think you can be baptized in a pool, in a river, in an ocean, in a hot tub, in a baptistry, in a pond, etc. The point is BE BAPTIZED in obedience to Christ's word. [See Matthew 3:6; John 3:23; Acts 8:36]
HOW: How should a person be baptized? I think there is some freedom to be observed here. The Bible says "be baptized", it says "be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit", and since baptism is a passive experience for the convert (i.e. he or she is placed under the water by someone else), someone needs to baptize them. So, let me try and tackle two questions: 1) Who should do the baptizing, and 2) In what manner should a person be baptized? First, I think the best person to do the baptizing (i.e. the one actively placing the convert under the water) is the one who led the convert to faith in Christ. If that person is unavailable or physically unable to do so, certainly it seems ideal or logical for another Christian or church leader (pastor, elder, staff member, etc.) to adminster the ordinance. Worse case scenario, I'm even liberal enough to think a non-Christian could do the baptizing--assuming the heart of the person being baptized is right (i.e. he or she has truly repented and trusted Christ by faith). I think the point is the disciple's obedient heart not all of the external peripherals (though I know many in the body of Christ at large may disagree with me on that point). Second, I think the fine details of how the bapstim occurs are also open for debate/discussion. Should the person be immersed once or three times? Should the person be immersed face down or face up? Is it absolutely essential for every part of the body or clothing (as well as every single hair) to be fully submerged? These are matters that legalists often fight over, but which I give very little attention to. At my home church, we typically stand next to the convert being baptized, ask him to plug his nose, we place one hand on the person's back and one hand on the arm of the indivdidual, tip them back under the water and then raise them up. Is that the RIGHT way to do it? I don't know if it is or not, but that's how I have baptized many people. I don't think the New Testament gives us a manual on the "how to's"... it just commands us to baptize disciples.
WHY: Why should a person be baptized? Well, I think the Bible gives several reasons. First, a person is baptized to be obedient to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19). Second, a person is baptized to express his or her repentant and faith-filled appeal to God for salvation. Many people speak of "The Sinner's Prayer" when leading a person to faith in Christ, but it seems more biblical to me to instruct people to call upon God in repentant faith while standing in the waters of baptism (see Acts 22:16 & 1 Peter 3:21). This is not to say that a person can't call out to God in faith prior to beng baptized in water--I just think water baptism is the "God-ordained" place to express one's repentance and faith in Christ, and it should ideally occur as soon as a person has decided to follow Christ. Lastly, the Bible also says that baptism is where a convert identifies himself as a follower of Christ (Galatians 3:27). The person who is baptized wants to be treated or regarded just as Christ was treated and regarded in this world (1 John 4:17). What's more, the disciple who is baptized wants to identify with Christ's death and resurrection--and baptism beautifully portrays our death to our old life (as we are placed under the water) and being raised to walk in newness of life in Christ (as we come up out of the water) [see Romans 6:3-4].
So, now that you know a bit more about baptism... let me ask you: Have you been baptized in water? If not, why not? Repent, put your faith in Christ, and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You will be [eternally] glad you did.
