BIBLE
DIGEST - Number 24 February 1993
WATER
BAPTISM - FOR REMISSION OF SINS AND FOR SALVATION
By Allon
Maxwell
|
There is a large
part of the modern church for whom the meaning of water baptism as an essential,
non-negotiable element of Christian obedience, has lost its impact. For various
reasons, in different church cultures, the New Testament emphasis has changed.
Too often, what passes now for baptism bears little resemblance to that first
century urgent response to the Gospel, made under deep conviction of need for
a new beginning with God. Some make a total
mockery of the meaning of belief by "baptising" infants who can neither
believe nor repent. This is not New Testament baptism. Others make the
same mockery, by practising an indiscriminate adult baptism which requires no
real belief of the Gospel of the Kingdom, and no meaningful repentance. This is
not New Testament baptism either. For others still,
it has become somehow, a relatively unimportant "optional extra" for
those who are already regarded as "saved" on the basis of an impulsive
response to an altar call and a brief "sinners prayer", which invites
a Jesus about whom they knew almost nothing at all, to "come into their hearts".
This is not Biblical salvation. It is also not uncommon
to find those who reject the need for water baptism altogether, claiming that
it is unnecessary in this "dispensation", for those who have been "born
again" or "baptised with the Holy Spirit". What does the Bible
really say about baptism? Is it essential to salvation? How important is it? In answering these
questions, we shall carefully avoid technical discussion about the form of baptism
and confine ourselves to the vital subject of the importance of baptism. (I do have fixed
conclusions about the appropriate form, but unless we come to grips with the other
questions, there is no point at all in discussing that topic. Baptism, as we shall
see, is really a matter of what is in the heart. Once the other fundamental issues
of sin and righteousness and judgement are properly settled, a repentant heart
rightly disposed towards God, will quickly resolve the issue of form.) JESUS AND BAPTISM. John the Baptist
did say that the Holy Spirit baptism offered by Jesus will accomplish more than
the water used by John. However, this does NOT mean that water baptism is therefore
no longer important. There can, of course,
be no doubt that in the teaching of Jesus, water baptism cannot stand alone. Without
the promised baptism with the Holy Spirit, water is simply a useless ritual. Nevertheless, it
is true that in making disciples, Jesus did baptise with water. (John 3:22) Although it seems that Jesus Himself
did not personally do the actual baptising, it is clear that these baptisms carried
out by His disciples, were performed at His direction and under His authority.
(John 4:1). Further, it is clear
that these baptisms could not be "Spirit baptisms". They were
baptisms in water. The Holy Spirit was not received by His disciples,
until after His resurrection. (John 7:39)
For those pre-crucifixion disciples the twofold baptism with water and spirit
was separated by some significant time period. When Jesus Himself
came to be baptised in water by John, he said "thus it is
fitting for US to fulfil all righteousness".
(Matthew 3:15) The "us"
in this passage is not (as often thought by some) simply a "royal plural",
but rather a statement by Jesus, of identity with all of US who also wish to join
with Him in fulfilling all righteousness. This is how we ALL
make our own acceptable public profession that Jesus is now our LORD, that we
are leaving the world behind and that we are now committed to the way of the cross. This water baptism
for Jesus was also the time of His own baptism with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:22) Apart from a couple
of significant exceptions in Acts, (for obvious good reason), it is clear that
this should also be the usual expectation of disciples who come to their water
baptism with hearts fully prepared. (Acts 2:38
& Acts 19:1-6) The continuing practice
of the apostles and others recorded in the Acts clearly includes water baptism
as the required response to the Gospel, as indicated by Jesus in In the teaching
and example of Jesus, and of the first century church, BOTH water baptism and
Spirit baptism are clearly considered to be necessary elements of discipleship. BAPTISM AND BELIEF In a number of places
baptism is mentioned specifically in connection with belief. This belief includes:
- *
The Gospel or "The Good News about
the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ". (Mark 16:15-16 & Acts 8:12) *
Jesus as Son of God. (Acts 8:37) *
Jesus as the crucified and risen saviour
who forgives sin. (Acts 2:23-24,
Acts 2:38 & Acts 10:39-43) In all of these
references, the expected response to belief, is water baptism. It follows logically,
that belief which does not lead to baptism is not really the sort of belief to
which the Gospel calls us. Of course, a sham baptism is entirely possible without
adequate belief, but the reverse is never envisaged anywhere in the New Testament.
A real belief will always lead to an open-hearted submission to baptism. BAPTISM AND REPENTANCE The preaching of
the Gospel convicts the hearer of sin. Baptism is the expected response from those
who are willing to repent of their sin. (Acts
2:38) It follows logically
that where faith in the Gospel is claimed without this response, there will be
some hidden inadequacy in the professed repentance. Again, of course,
it is possible to be baptised without adequate repentance, but the reverse will
never be true of real faith in the Gospel. A repentance which is real, will always
lead to baptism. BAPTISM AND FORGIVENESS In a number of passages,
forgiveness of sins is irrevocably linked to baptism. Of course, we must be clear
that forgiveness also requires repentance and an adequate faith in the cross.
Nevertheless, real repentance and saving faith lead directly to the water. On the day of Pentecost,
Peter called those heart-stricken Jews who were convicted of their part in the
crucifixion of Jesus, to respond in a baptism for remission of sins. The Apostle Paul
was also expressly called by Ananias to a baptism in which his sins would be washed
away. (Acts 22:16) If sins are forgiven
in the act of baptism, it follows that those who refuse to obey the Gospel call
to repentance and baptism are not forgiven at all. BAPTISM AND SALVATION Jesus specifically
said that BOTH belief in the Gospel and baptism were necessary for salvation.
(Mark 16:15-16) Peter also said
that baptism in water saves. (1 Peter 3:21) Of course, it is
true that there are other elements in the plan of salvation which must not be
ignored. However, that does not change what is said in these two Scriptures. Without
baptism there is no salvation. BAPTISM AND OUR
FUTURE INHERITANCE The Sermon on the
Mount promises that the meek shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) Those who share
the faith of Abraham, are guaranteed a future share in his inheritance of the
world. (Romans 4:13-17) This inheritance
is conditional on being baptised into Christ. Only if we have
thus put on Christ, are we assured that we are heirs of these promises. (Galatians 3:26-29) Without this baptism
in water (and the guarantee from God which results from the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit), there can be no inheritance. (Ephesians
1:13-14) BAPTISM AND A GOOD
CONSCIENCE Peter says in his
first epistle that true baptism is not simply getting wet! The water baptism
which saves, is a baptism which has to do with the conscience and the heart. There are differing
translations of 1 Peter 3:21,
which express this from two points of view, both of which are equally valid in
this context. One translation
(found in the NEB and KJV) places the emphasis on the appeal to God made by a
conscience which is right towards God. Other versions (RSV
and NASB) place the emphasis on the repentant sinner's appeal to God for a clear
conscience, (through the cleansing of the forgiven heart from guilt). Either way, it is
clear that without baptism there is no right hearts attitude toward God, and no
REAL cleansing of the conscience from guilt. In those cases where
there is a failure to recognise the clear Bible teaching and the absolute necessity
for baptism, both for remission of sins and for salvation, we must learn to recognise
that the basic need is NOT continued theological argument about the merits of
baptism! Blindness to Bible
teaching at this point is a SYMPTOM of another more basic problem. Those who have
made their own repentance, and who truly know and love Jesus, will discern the
fearful secret that in the lives of those who reject water baptism, there is still
unresolved sin. This is privileged
information which enables us to pray intelligently for their very deep need. The real need in
such cases is a work of the Holy Spirit to bring sinners to conviction of specific
sin and then to the Godly sorrow which leads to repentance. Only after that is
achieved does discussion about baptism have any real importance for the individual. Once conviction
of sin and righteousness and Judgement has been established by the Holy Spirit,
baptism in water is a commandment which comes direct from Jesus to the sinner.
At that point each one of us makes our own decision to obey or continue in rebellion. THE MEANING OF BAPTISM Baptism is not simply
a ritual without meaning or purpose. It is meant to reinforce
our understanding of what is happening to us when we are born again by the Spirit
of God. It is meant to be an event which we can remember for the rest of our lives
as the point where we found freedom from slavery to sin and the hopeless guilt
which accompanies that slavery. It is the point of time where we are transferred
from the dominion of darkness into the Kingdom of the Son of God; where our redemption
becomes real, and our forgiveness is assured. (Colossians
1:13) The meaning which
lies behind the ritual of baptism is described at some length in Romans 6 and also in Colossians 2:9-15 as: *
A symbolic, but also very real death
to past sins *
A symbolic, but very real resurrection
to a new life of obedience, righteousness and sanctification, which assures those
who share in it, of the GIFT of eternal life. It is clear that
this death and resurrection is to be achieved only in the water baptism of the
repentant sinner. By this symbolic action sinners appeal to God for forgiveness
and a new relationship with Him, in which the promised Holy Spirit will lead us
into all truth. There is no scriptural
warrant to offer forgiveness, new life in the Spirit and the promised future inheritance,
without this baptism in water. Nor, without this
water baptism, is there any credibility for any claim to be born again or baptised
with the Holy Spirit. Yes, water baptism
is a ritual, but it is a ritual which requires us to make a public confession
before men of what is in our hearts towards Jesus. As such it is essential to
our salvation. (Matthew 10:32-33) |