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Towards Understanding Christian Baptism

That baptism is an important practice in the Christian Faith is clear from its inclusion in the Great Commission of Matt 28.

That the early Christians (and early Church historian - Luke) recognised its significance is obvious from the regular reminders in Acts that those who received the word 'were baptised'.

Its importance is founded not only on the commission of Jesus and the regular practice of the early church but also on what baptism means. Although there may be a quibble here and there the following definition is likely to be acceptable to many Christians :

'Baptism...is the prescribed form of initiation into His visible body. At its most fundamental, it signifies union with Christ. It is baptism in the name of Christ, identifying us with Him and incorporating us into Him. It signifies our being one with Him and seals our participation in His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. It attests and consolidates both our covenant union and our spiritual union with the risen Lord. We live in Christ. We are built on Christ. We are rooted in Christ. We share His status and privileges. We enjoy His inheritance. We have His rights.'

Donald McLeod ‘A Faith to Live by’.

Baptism is therefore the public statement of what happens at conversion. It is a statement to all that the person being baptised is committed to and united with Jesus Christ; that he has been cleansed from his former sins (symbolised by water), is dead to his former life (enacted in the burial of baptism) and has started a new life, a life where Jesus Christ is Lord (dramatised in emerging from the baptismal waters).

So far so good. However, it is at this point however that disagreements between believers begin to emerge. Questions surface like: who should be baptised – only adults or also infants; and, what is the proper mode of baptism – immersion or sprinkling, and does it matter?

Generally Eastern Churches, the Catholic Church and Reformed Churches of Lutheran, Calvinist, Episcopal, or Presbyterian persuasion would baptise children and baptise by sprinkling. A number of other churches more often of Independent persuasion (such as Baptist and Christian Brethren) believe that only believers of a responsible age should be baptised and that the proper mode is by immersion.

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About John

Hi there - I am a member of Greenview and have been for over 20 years. For a number of these years I functioned as an elder, however, indifferent health forced me to take more of a back seat. I see this as an opportunity to do a little writing, often focussing on issues that are a matter of evangelical debate today. Naturally the views expressed are my own and may not reflect the views of the elders or church at large, though differences are likely to be in the detail and not the substance.

These articles and sermons were written partly to clarify my own thoughts and partly with the intention of provoking thought in others who may read them. If you read one I hope you find it stimulating. Please feel free to give me feedback or discuss my articles in the forums.

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