Baptism - In Defense of Grace

Hebrew Origins of Baptism

Water has been used as a symbol of cleanliness all throughout the Bible, not only cleansing of the body, but of the mind as well. For example:

God cleansed the Earth of the Nephilim and the corrupt early generations of man with the great flood (Genesis 7).
The skin diseases of Levites (14) and King Naaman (2 Kings 5) were healed by immersion in water.
Priests consecrated themselves by dipping their hands and feet in water before entering temples (Exodus 29)
Even as Jesus walked the Earth, the Pool of Bethesda was frequented by an angel who cured disease (John 5).

The term baptism is derived from the Greek word, baptizo, which in turn was translated from the Hebrew word tevila. The primary definition of both these terms was “immersion.” Notably, sometimes baptizo was also linked to the Hebrew word, Mikveh, which is also traditionally used to describe: a hope for things to come, a body of water, and to “bind together.”

In Jewish culture, baptism was specifically used as symbolism for cleansing a past sinful life to be in closer communion to God. A person would wash away their old sinful self, becoming “purified”, and then dedicate themselves to God as a practicing Jew. By this process, both symbolic and legalistic, a Gentile could enter the Jewish community. At its heart, baptism was putting away an old identity and accepting a new one, toward the end to dedication to God. As such, baptism was traditionally used in citizenship acquisition and wedding ceremonies.

Traditionally, should a foreigner want to join the nation of Israel, they would go through a citizenship process where they would renounce the beliefs, practices, and identity to their original country. They would then learn the cultural and religious practices of Judaism, where they were then submerged in a ritual pool as a symbolic process of dying and becoming born again.

Even the ritual pool itself was symbolic, being emblematic of the Israelites crossing the Jordan river to reach the promised land. In doing so, these foreigners would be accepted as an adopted sons and considered heirs of the promise made to Israel. This ceremony was also applied to this rebirth to the bride as consecration prior to marriage, where she would be seen as new creation, no longer held to the sins of her past life.

Sources for Jewish origins of baptism:

Baptism in the New Testament

So, what does baptism mean to Christians in the New Testament? baptism represents repentance and is further symbolic of God’s justification and redemption of His people. Through immersion, the Christian washes away his old sinful life so that he may be born again as new being before God.

Thus, baptism is also the induction to being children of God, much in the same way baptism was used by the Israelites to induct foreigners into being Jewish citizens. As Paul explains, by the Holy Spirit we are all baptized into the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12: For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Thus:

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Baptism of the Spirit Supersedes the Baptism of Tradition

Apart from men becoming a new creature within the body of Christ, an important thing to note is the specific emphasis on the Holy Spirit in these verses regarding baptism. The baptism professed by Jesus is different and far more powerful than just the tradition itself. John the Baptist alluded to this superior spiritual baptism as he completed his earthly ones:

Matthew 3:11 As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John’s baptisms, being cohesive with Judaism’s cultural baptisms, signified washing away of sinful man and repenting. But his baptisms were incomplete; even if a man repented, his past and future sins still not wholly washed away because these men were still sinners at heart. Thus, John warned of the limitations of his water baptism and proclaimed the fullness of Jesus’ spiritual baptism.

This baptism of Jesus is different than that of traditional Jewish water baptism. By this baptism, men rejected their sinful natures and dedicated themselves to God by being washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:4-7: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Being purified by the Spirit is analogous to having the new heart, as prophesied by later prophets. By this, Christians hearts are tilted toward God, providing them the means to reject their sinful natures. Furthermore, having been bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, these people have been forgiven of their sins.

Taken together, those baptized with the Spirit are primed to become sons of God and citizens of Heaven. Not only do Paul and John separate baptism of the spirit and water, but so does Jesus:

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…..But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

This separation is cohesive with Jesus’ many earlier narratives on the separation of flesh and spirit. One of the more pertinent ones could be found again with Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisee Nicodemus:

John 3: 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Being born of water could be taken in two ways:

Biologically (literally), water likely referring to the amniotic fluid that immerses a fetus and is released shortly prior to birth.

Traditional (alliteratively), referring to cultural significance behind baptism, by which Jews signify purification toward God.

Of course, Nicodemus was focused on the biological aspect. In a literal and biological context, being born twice is completely ludicrous, so Nicodemus asks him to explain. Jesus elaborates:

John 3: 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

The Apostles Knew that Repentance and the Receipt of the Holy Spirit were the Predominant Means of Salvation, not Baptism Itself

Even though baptism is extremely important as a rite, in that is symbolizes being born again as a Christian, it is not the mechanism for salvation. Instead, it is the reception of the Holy Spirit through belief in Jesus. Which brings us to Peter:

1 Peter 3:18-22: For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of

Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Peter knew that the act of baptism itself wasn’t responsible for salvation or forgiveness of sins. Jesus died so men were forgiven of their sins, allowing them community with God. Thus, baptism is now a rite where men proclaim their dedication toward Christ and appeal to God for a good conscience (ie. The new heart and spirit mentioned in Ezekiel).

Why would Peter, who professed to thousands at Pentecost to “repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins” profess this? Because God showed him both the purposes and limitation of baptism itself. First, Cornelius and his fellow Gentiles received the Holy Spirit explicitly by hearing the Gospel:

Acts 10:43-48: Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Second, they themselves were spontaneously baptized with the Holy Spirit, without reperforming the rite, leading up to the Pentecost:

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Finally, and of excruciating importance, are the Samarians. The Samarians believed Philip’s testimony of Jesus and were baptized in His name, but they did not receive the Holy Spirit. Among them was Simon, a sorcerer, who was believed and baptized, but never repented in his heart. When Peter and John later came to impart the Holy Spirit they refused it to Simon, telling him to repent. Repentance, ie. rejection of sin and turning to Jesus Christ, was what carried power, not the act of baptism itself.

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. 19 “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”

The same could be said for Saul, who received the Holy Spirit when he was ordained through the laying of hands by Ananias:

Acts 9: 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

Laying of hands was a traditional practice among Jews both for ordaining priests and (at times) for channeling the power of God for healing afflictions. Saul, who had seen Jesus, had excessive evidence for submitting to Him as Lord. Consequently, when Saul, now Paul, was writing his letters to guide the Early Church, he elevated preaching the gospel over baptism in importance to growing the Church:

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

In Closing

So, when you are baptized, just as Jesus had commanded His disciples, you do so with intention of rejecting your sinful nature and fixing your eyes on Jesus Christ. As a sacrament, becoming baptized:

Demonstrates obedience to God and Jesus by following their commandment.
Pleases God by formally dedicating one’s life to Him
Represents the repentance that is bolstered from the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

As Paul would put it:

Ephesians 4:7 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, 6 which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.