Mystery Of Baptism

The Baptism of Christ set us an example of a ceremony which has become the norm for Christians. Baptism is also the subject of some division and much misunderstanding. Let’s explore the mystery of baptism. Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17.

Leadership

Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

We learn several key things about leadership from the baptism of Jesus. Real leaders are not so afraid of their positions that they cannot submit to the leadership of others at appropriate times. Jesus the Son of God, was superior to John, yet he submitted to John’s baptism. What humility!

Real leaders willingly submit to rituals of public cleansing even when they have no fault in a matter. Jesus was faultless and did not need to submit to a ritual of repentance. For example, weak cowards refuse to apologize. True leaders willingly apologize even when there is no need to.

Righteousness

Matthew 3:15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

In a choice between two good things, do we do the right thing or the righteousness thing? Which choice is God’s will? As Jesus approached John to be baptized, the right thing in John’s mind was that he should be baptized by Jesus. The superior ought to baptize the lesser.

However, Jesus’ purpose at that time was humility not high position. He was born in a stable, served an itinerant ministry and died on a cross. What was God’s reaction to Jesus’ taking the lesser position? He was well-pleased. Do we always demand our rights or willingly fulfill all righteousness?

Dip or Wash

Matthew 3:16-17 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Who is right about baptism, the dippers, washers or both? Baptize literally means to dip, but in the Bible it is not always used literally. It can mean to wash (Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38; Acts 22:16). The Bible is deliberately vague as to which mode is preferable.

When Jesus came up out of the water, it could have been ankle deep. Israel was baptized into Moses by walking dry shod through the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). Less literal modes of baptism like washing are also legitimate. Dippers and washers are equally baptized into Jesus Christ.

Baptism is the principal sacrament, a physical act with divine grace. Jesus was baptized though the mode is perhaps purposefully unclear. Baptism pictures a new beginning (1 Corinthians 10:2, 1 Peter 3:20-21), Jesus’ suffering (Luke 12:50) and washing away our sins (Mark 7:4; Titus 3:5).

Invoking the Trinity is mandated (Matthew 28:19) but the mode and age of baptism are not, anywhere. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is pictured by fire on people’s heads (Acts 1:5; 2:3). Renewal and rebirth differs baptism from any other sacraments (John 3:5; Titus 3:5).

Jesus came "up out of the water" after his baptism (Matthew 3:16), literally came "up away from the water.” Early mosaics show John pouring water over him from a shell. It is perhaps purposefully vague whether He was immersed or stood ankle deep. The mode seems deliberately left out.

Repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39) included the whole family. Baptism is to wash away sins (Acts 22:16). God elsewhere gave the Holy Spirit to people before physical baptism (Acts 10:45-48). Jesus declared baptism necessary (John 3:5).

It is a baptism into Jesus, his death and new life (Romans 6:3-5). It is like circumcision (Colossians 2:11-13), performed on children. Three whole households were baptized (Acts 16:15; 16:33; 1 Corinthians 1:16). Baptism is a physical and spiritual washing and must invoke the Trinity.

A baptism of repentance alone is not the baptism of Christ or His church (Acts 19:1-6). What about a “believer's baptism”? The Ethiopian eunuch could be baptized if he believed (Acts 8:36-38). Being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit are not always the same event (Acts 8:14-17).

God gives the Holy Spirit when He chooses. Infant baptism and later confirmation recognize this. Acts 2:41 shows 3,000 baptized after hearing and accepting only one sermon. In churches where Christ’s commands in a Gospel text are taught weekly (Matthew 28:20) then every sermon is a catechism.

Baptism is the most important of all outward rites of divine grace. It is more important than marriage, ordination, anointing the sick or whether we take communion weekly, monthly or annually. It is the initiatory rite into our journey from the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of God.