Baptism Into Christ

Baptism has historically been one of the most celebrated and respected Christian ordinances and sacraments that exist. It has also been one of the most controversial. Those who chose to practice baptism different than the established "institutional" church often faced tremendous persecution, exile, and the audacious label of heresy. I'm specifically thinking of those who rejected the empty act of infant baptism for a more biblical approach where consenting, repentant, fully informed, and converted men and women were baptized into Christ.  

Another pitfall or shortcoming related to baptism is to strip it of it's beauty and meaning by insisting it only has symbolic or mere "public testimony" value. Today, baptism is commonly understood as a mere outward sign of one’s inward change of heart. However, this belief about baptism as a purely symbolic expression of personal faith does not adequately account for what the Bible says about the subject. Baptism should be considered sacramental and more than merely symbolic. Baptism should be regarded as something sacred and set apart (holy) for a special purpose. In baptism, human and divine activities coincide (Mark 16:16, 1^st Pet. 3:20-22).

It is through baptism:

• That God adopts us as his children (Gal 3:26-29)
• Makes us members of Christ's Body, the church (1^st Cor. 12:12-13)
• Grants us entrance to the Kingdom of God (John 3:5)

In the waters of baptism, the New Testament indicates we receive:

• Union with Christ in his death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5)
• Remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16)
• A new life in the Holy Spirit (John 3:4-5,22; Acts 2:38).

The New Testament says we receive “remission of sins” and the “gift of the Holy Spirit” through baptism (Acts 2:38). This is not a magic trick nor a superstitious, legalistic act empty of mystery. It is because we are baptized into Jesus Christ after faith and repentance (Acts 20:21). He alone is forgiveness and His body is the temple where God’s Spirit dwells (Acts 4:12).

When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His body, the Church. Salvation is social; to be justified by God is to be declared a member of His family (Gal. 3:26-29). Baptism should be taken seriously because God confers/distributes gifts that we will ultimately be held accountable for.

“He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb. 10:28-29)

A high view of baptism does not imply that we should baptize babies or young children because it does not claim they have inherited the guilt of Adam’s sin, only his sin-prone nature (Eze. 18, Rom. 5:12-21). Neither does a high view of baptism suggest that it should be delayed for believing adults due to superficial or cultural reasons. The gifts conferred in baptism are understood as necessary for an overcoming life in the Spirit.

Understanding baptism as more than symbolic may generate the following questions:

•  “Isn’t the requirement of confession and restitution prior to baptism legalistic?” The Gospel call to “repent and…be baptized” (Acts 2:38) is not a request to merely feel bad about sins committed in the past but to do something in the present. The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, literally means a change of mind and new course of action. Making confession of past sins and seeking restitution with others are logical first steps on the path of repentance (Mat. 3:1-10).
• “Shouldn’t baptism and church membership be separated?” St Paul says we are baptized into Christ and consequently become members, not only of his body, but of one another (1 Cor. 12). There is no union with Jesus that does not also bring about union with other Christians.
• “If baptism is necessary for salvation what happens to those who die unbaptized?” A high view of baptism understands the sacrament to be a necessity under ordinary circumstances; however, it in no way implies that God’s mercy is limited in extraordinary situations. Jesus says to the unbaptized thief on the cross “…thou shalt be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

The Zion's Harp, a hymnal, appropriately captures the full meaning of baptism in several of its hymns.  

#10 Baptism: https://www.zionsharp.info/10-baptism.html
#34 The New Birth From Above: https://www.zionsharp.info/34-the-new-birth-from-above.html
#43 Baptismal Hymn: https://www.zionsharp.info/43-baptismal-hymn.html
#162 Baptism In Christ: https://www.zionsharp.info/162-baptism-in-christ.html
#163 The Covenant of Grace: https://www.zionsharp.info/163-the-covenant-of-grace.html
#209 Now It Is Done: https://www.zionsharp.info/209-now-it-is-done.html
#222 Looking Back To The Day Of Salvation: https://www.zionsharp.info/222-looking-back-to-the-day-of-salvation.html

May we not shy away from the power, mystery, and grace that engulfs Holy Baptism.  When souls experience true repentance and conversion, baptism becomes necessary as the springboard for a full and abundant life with God, our Maker, through His covenant of mercy we find in Christ.