Baptism - Part 3

Part 1
Part 2

Meaning and effects of baptism

There are differences in views about the effect of baptism for a Christian. Some Christian groups assert baptism is a requirement for salvation and a sacrament, and speak of "baptismal regeneration." For example, Martin Luther said:

"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to 'be saved.' To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever."
—The Large Catechism, 1529

For Roman Catholics, baptism by water is a sacrament of initiation into the life of children of God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1212-13). It configures the person to Christ (CCC 1272), and obliges the Christian to share in the Church's apostolic and missionary activity (CCC 1270). By contrast, Baptist and Calvinist groups espouse baptism as a worthy practice, but say that baptism has no sacramental power, and only testifies outwardly to the invisible and internal operation of God's power, which is completely separate from the rite itself.

The ecumenical paper "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry", prepared by representatives across a spectrum of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestants traditions of Christianity, attempts to express a common understanding of baptism, as it is derived from the New Testament.

" ... according to Acts 2:38, baptisms follow from Peter's preaching baptism in the name of Jesus and lead those baptized to the receiving of Christ's Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and life in the community: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (2:42) as well as to the distribution of goods to those in need (2:45). Those who heard, who were baptized and entered the community's life, were already made witnesses of and partakers in the promises of God for the last days: the forgiveness of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on all flesh (2:38). Similarly, in what may well be a baptismal pattern, 1 Peter testifies that proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and teaching about new life (1:3-21) lead to purification and new birth (1:22-23). This, in turn, is followed by eating and drinking God's food (2:2-3), by participation in the life of the community — the royal priesthood, the new temple, the people of God (2:4-10) — and by further moral formation (2:11 ff.). At the beginning of 1 Peter the writer sets this baptism in the context of obedience to Christ and sanctification by the Spirit (1:2). So baptism into Christ is seen as baptism into the Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13). In the fourth gospel Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus indicates that birth by water and Spirit becomes the gracious means of entry into the place where God rules (John 3:5)."

The following passages get more into the spiritual and theological implications of baptism.

Romans 6:3-4 says, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

The picture here is of a symbolic act that unites our experiences with those of Christ. Going under the water is like a death and coming up again is a resurrection. What a great image to describe the newness of life. Resurrection is not just for the afterlife. God is resurrecting people by restoring their sin-wrecked lives in the here and now.

Galatians 3:27 says, "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

I am not exactly sure what “clothed yourselves with Christ” means but I can venture some guesses. I think it has to do with sharing His mindset, His purpose, His spiritual filling, and more or less our lives reflecting His.

Titus 3:4-7 reads, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Baptism marks a change in lifestyle but it also marks a change in how we are led – no longer by selfishness but by the Spirit. The Spirit seals our inheritance as heirs to both the lineage of Christ as well as the heirs of eternal life. Paul makes it clear that this is entirely a work of grace and mercy from God. It is not the act of being baptized that accomplishes this – it is the action of the Spirit in our lives.

1 Peter 3:20-21 states, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.”

This is an interesting passage, but it basically calls the story of Noah and archetype for baptism. He says that the Noah story “prefigured” baptism – which we might translate “foreshadowed.” Just as Noah was saved through obedience to God based on a “good conscience”, so are we now. Baptism is an action (like entering the ark) that places our salvation in God’s hands. It is not just removing dirt (perhaps in opposition to Jewish ritual washings – see Mikvah in entry 1) but a resurrection activity.

Baptism is one of the sacraments – one of the “mysteries.” Like Communion it takes something that is normal and commonplace in one context and transforms it into something profoundly spiritual when placed in another context. So Communion is not just eating bread and wine and baptism is not just washing one’s body when placed in the context of the crucified and resurrected Christ. It is an act of obedience, but it is so much more than that. People say that baptism saves, but that is not exactly true. God saves when we turn back to Him with hearts full of contrition and repentance. Baptism functions as an initiation into the community (Kingdom) of God and carries with it all the privileges and blessings that come from redemption – a resurrected life by the power of the indwelling of the Spirit, heirship, acceptance, and a common experience that unites believers.

The debate on whether it is required for salvation is not an appropriate discussion. It is like asking if one has to repent, believe, or be sacrificial. A disciple is willing and eager to do such things as s/he realizes the impact it has on the spiritual growth and depth of relationship. Baptism unites us to one another and to God not for salvific reasons but as one more step in seeing His Kingdom come.

Next week: Final installment regarding infant baptism.