Christian Baptism – The First Step In An Obedient Walk With The Lord – A Chat On Baptism Series

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM – THE FIRST STEP IN AN OBEDIENT WALK WITH THE LORD – A CHAT ON BAPTISM

NOTE:- In this message I have put in writing, I am using the English spellings that I know differ from some American spellings.

This subject, when mentioned, seems to have people jumping into various corners of the debate. In fact there should not even be a debate. Attitudes from a few are hardened and some take the swords out to defend their positions yet all the time the ears are shut to hear what is being said. It is a strange thing about human beings that many want to hold to a particular belief, be it right or wrong or between, and if someone wants to talk about that belief or even have a non-confrontational discussion, it is perceived as a personal attack. That’s not good.

I wrote a poem called “TRUTH WITHOUT ARROGANCE” and I want to quote just one stanza from it:-

“I am the Way, the Truth and Life.”

Why do we see such Christian strife

Among the ones who love the Lord,

When over “truth” some draw the sword?

Without the life, just truth alone,

Will cause the empty soul to groan.

But truth alone, without the love,

Dishonours Christ, the Truth above.

Having said all that I wish to share my understanding of Christian baptism as it was practised in the New Testament. Some of what I will say will line up with parts of what is held by those called Baptists. If you have any interest in understanding this subject, please read. Even if you find yourself unaccepting of this, then share what you want with me. I will not mind. However everything must line up with scripture and scriptural practice.

[A]. THE FIRST MENTION OF BAPTISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

We find this

{{Matthew 3:1-6 “Now in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying, “REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea, and all the district around the Jordan, and THEY WERE BEING BAPTISED BY HIM IN THE JORDAN RIVER AS THEY CONFESSED THEIR SINS.”}}

John’s baptism was a baptism of confession. They confessed their sins as they were baptised. It was also an entry into the Kingdom of heaven, the Jewish kingdom that will be on earth that John expected to be set up with the coming Messiah but I am not doing that aspect here. Mark states it this way – {{Mark 1:4 “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”}}

This baptism differed totally from Christian baptism, because in believers’ baptism one does not confess sins in baptism. John was correct for his age in what he preached and practised. The gospel of the kingdom he preached is not the gospel of grace we preach.

Before we pursue this any further, the practice of the Roman Catholic church is to “baptise” infants which can also be called christening. It is the sprinkling of water on the head of the infant, and some call this “infant baptism”. I understand in the Greek Orthodox church that the infant is dunked, that is, immersed. Of course Greeks know the meaning of baptism, the word applied today to dyeing of material where the whole lot “goes under”.

The Roman Church does not practise “believers’ baptism” or adult baptism, but I think if it was requested then it might be done.

At the time of the Reformation, the reformers, like Luther, did not want to leave the Roman church, just reform it. Certain Catholic doctrines and practices were retained, and the sprinkling of infants was one of these. The Roman Catholic practice has not changed, but among non-Catholics there is a certain variation on the understanding of baptism. Some adopt the exact position as the Roman Church while others are more flexible. At the other end you have the Baptists and smaller groups who see full immersion as the only position that is biblical. One other group teaches “baptismal regeneration” where one is saved by being baptised.

We could go into all that a lot more but I have only skipped quickly over it to state the major positions in baptism. I really want look into the scriptures for baptism teaching.

[B]. BAPTISM IS A REQUIREMENT FROM JESUS

There is one scripture that locks in the necessity of baptism for the believer, this one, the Great Commission – {{Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all the nations, BAPTISING THEM in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, TEACHING THEM to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”}}