Baptism – Part 1 – Getting our Feet Wet (Various)
1. The Simplest Question – What is Baptism?
Making some sort of public testimony concerning Jesus Christ…using water.
If this seems strange, think on other symbolic actions – raising your hand in an oath; saluting; handshake…
2. The Well we Draw From – Where does the idea of Baptism come from?
The Word & Mind of God (Mt 28:19 / Acts 2:28)
Pattern of Redemptive/Creative history:
Gen 1:6-10 – Creation out of water.
Genesis 6-9 – Saved from the judgement of the flood (c.f. 1 Peter 3:21).
Exodus 14 – Saved through waters of Red Sea (creating a people; again in Joshua 3)
3. The Differing Views:
Paedobaptist (babies) or Credobaptism (believers).
Bible believing, Christ exalting churches…have differed on the matter of baptism.
Who exactly should we be baptizing?
How exactly should we baptize them?
PAEDOBAPTISTS (Infant)
Believe baptism is for the children of believers too.
By equating baptism (new covenant sign) with circumcision (old covenant sign).
Are NOT saying their children are saved by baptism.
Appeal to Acts 16:15 & 16:33 (household baptisms, presupposing children may have been present); Colossians 2:11-12;
Generally advocate ‘sprinkling’ (possibly with reference to Heb 9:21 & Lev 4:6).
CREDO-BAPTISTS (Believers)
Believe baptism is only for believers (adult or children) who confess faith in Christ; who hold to a “creed”.
Believe that if entry to the new covenant is by spiritual birth (not natural), then only those spiritually reborn should receive the sign of belonging.
Believe that repentance & faith are necessary prerequisites.
Appeal to Acts 2:41, 8:21, 10:44-48; Gal 3:27.
Advocate immersion under water (not sprinkling) – with reference to NT practice (also Col 2:12, Acts 22:16), and the meaning of the word ‘baptizo’ (immerse, plunge).