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POSITION PAPER 2 – Christian Baptism and church membershipNotes prepared by the Rev'd Albert E Yorke
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METHOD OF BAPTISM WHO SHOULD BE BAPTISED?
Justification by other denominations
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BACKGROUND1. This Church believes that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit of those who confess repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who “died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day”. [2-6.Paragraphs withdrawn for amendment] Top THE METHOD OF BAPTISM7. Unfortunately, the New Testament does not give us a description of Baptism, or a systematic explanation of its meaning and practice. Therefore, we are left to draw conclusions from incomplete (in our eyes) records. 8.
Baptists believe the right mode of Baptism is by
immersion in water, although
there are occasions when affusion (pouring) is used, eg
baptising the old or disabled. They believe this is implied by the Greek
used in the New Testament “baptizein” - to baptise, “Baptisma” -
Baptism. The Greeks used these words, for instance, of the dyeing of
cloth, or of a boat which had been wrecked by being submerged and then
stranded on the shore. In the New Testament, these words are always
transliterated, except when referring to the bathing of bodies in
purification rites, or the dipping of bread in a dish. 9.
Immersion is also indicated by the symbolism of Colossians 2:12
“having been buried with him in Baptism and raised with him through
faith”, and Romans 6: 3-4. 10.
Further support being seen in the fact that John the Baptist
needed a lot of water at Aenon, (John
3:23), and used the River Jordan, (Mark
1:5). The clearest passage is in Acts 8:36-39, where it is obvious
that Philip explains to the Ethiopian Eunuch that a lot of water is
needed for Baptism, hence the question, “Here is water, what is there
to stop me being Baptised” Philip then baptises the convert by going
down into the water and baptising him. 11.
However, non Baptists offer various objections to this. Many
point to other pictures associated with Baptism. Acts 10:44-48 speaks of
the “Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles” followed by Baptism.
Therefore affusion should be an equally valid symbol of Baptism.
Equally, Paul draws lessons from the symbolism of “putting off” old
clothes and the “putting on” of new clothes. Is Baptism therefore
invalid if it is not preceded by undressing and dressing in order to
provide the symbol? 12.
Also, it is pointed out that there are several accounts of
Baptism where immersion would have been impractical or impossible, eg
in Acts 2 in the forecourt of the Temple, or in Acts 16 in the prison. 13.
QUESTION: Baptists
may believe immersion is the best symbol for Baptism, but does a
different symbol invalidate a Baptismal ceremony as a true Baptism? THE MEANING OF BAPTISM14.
The New Testament mentions baptising and Baptism nearly one
hundred times, and whole books have been written explaining its meaning.
Therefore, I can do little more than provide a look at some selected
passages, highlighting key notes. 15.
Consequently, I cannot give a fully argued theological treatise. Baptism is a commitment to new ownership (Matt 28:19)16.
Christ commands the Church to baptise new
disciples, and new disciples are expected to obey its instruction. 17.
Baptism is the mark of enrolling in the disciples’ band. It
shows we agree to the terms of our appointment as disciples. 18.
“Into the name of” means a commitment to the ownership and
Lordship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are admitted into a new
relationship with God. 19.
Note the order: make disciples, baptise and teach. Baptism is for
those who choose to be followers. Baptism is the New Testament way of responding to the Gospel (Acts 2:38)20.
Baptism is a public act showing that we have accepted the Gospel.
The New Testament never says, if you are not Baptised you are not saved,
but it does say Baptism is part of receiving salvation. cf
Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is Baptised will be saved”. It is
Christ’s appointed way for people to ask for forgiveness of the sins
they are repenting of and it is associated as a step in receiving the
outpoured Spirit. 21.
Baptism is an outward washing parallel to God’s inward work of
cleansing from the guilt and defilement of sin. This is taken up in 1
Peter 3:21 which shows that the efficacy of Baptism does not rest in the
outward act itself, but the inner appeal to God from a sincere heart and
a trust in Christ’s saving power. It is a Baptism where the outward
action and the inner faith together bring us salvation. Baptism is the occasion of our entry “into Christ” (Rom 6:3-4).22. “In Christ” is a shorthand term meaning to be joined in a living relationship to Christ and His Church. Through Baptism we enter the new sphere of the new creation (2 Cor.5:17) and are in-grafted as branches of the true vine (John 15.1). 23. By Baptism, all the blessings of Christ’s death and resurrection become personally ours. Top Baptism is symbolic of our new life (Col 2:11-13).24.
Baptism is a physical experience in water of death, burial and
resurrection, symbolic of spiritually dying to the old life of sin and
rising to a new life for God. Baptism is the action of faith (Gal 3:23-29)25. By faith we are put into a right relationship with God, we are saved. But how do we exercise that faith? By Baptism. Here having faith parallels and equals Baptism. In other words, Baptism is Christ’s appointed way of exercising faith and declaring it. Baptism and faith belong together. Also, Baptism joins us to the new family of God’s sons who are all one in Christ Jesus (l Cor:12-13 & 27). 26.
Therefore, Baptism is:- (a)
an event instituted by Christ to show who are his disciples. (b)
A symbol to communicate God’s saving work. (c)
An occasion to personally receive God’s promises in Christ. (d)
Made effective by conscious faith and commitment. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTISED?
27(a)
All would be disciples (Matt
28:19) (b) All
who want to be saved (Acts 2:39) (c) All
who have received new life by the Spirit (Acts
10:47-48) (d) All
and only those who have heard the Gospel and believed (Acts
18:8-11). WHY BE BAPTISED?28.(a)
An example to follow (Matt
3:13-17) (b) A command to obey (Matt 28:19 and Acts 10:48) (c) An
occasion to treasure (Rom 6:3) 29.
And now why do You
wait? Rise and be Baptised INFANT BAPTISM30.
What are the reasons Christians of other denominations advance to
justify their position? Evidence of the New Testament31.
Paedobaptism was obviously practised in the New Testament Church,
say its exponents, because we read on several occasions of whole
families and households being Baptised. (e.g.
Acts 16:15, & 16:33). This would be fully in accord with the
Biblical view of family solidarity. Evidence of the Fathers32.
By the early third century Origen was writing: “The Church has
received a tradition from the apostles to give Baptism even to little
children.” The nature of Baptism itself33.
In the first few centuries of the Church, the belief arose that
Baptism brought salvation merely by its administration. This was linked
to the belief that infants would be damned because of original sin
unless they were Baptised. These beliefs would not be supported by
reformed paedobaptists. Jesus and children34.
Although passages like Mark 10:13-16 are not concerned explicitly
with Baptism, their implications make paedoBaptism imperative. Jesus was
indignant when children were turned away and explicitly said that the
Kingdom of God belongs to children. Baptism and salvation35.
Others find support for paedoBaptism in the nature of salvation
and the grace of God. Salvation they say is the work of God, even
working in the response of faith. Infant Baptism reflects this
“prevenient” grace of God. Baptism and the covenant of Grace36.
This is the belief that God includes the children of believing
parents in the covenant of grace. Acts 2:39 gives: “the promise is to
you and to your children”. See
also 1 Cor 7:14. Christian wives were comforted with the certainty that
their children were holy. Therefore Baptism corresponds to circumcision
and male infants were circumcised. Baptism and faith37.
Some recognise faith is required in Baptism and are conscious
that helpless infants cannot exercise faith. But they believe others can
exercise faith for the children until they are able to confirm their own
personal faith later. But Baptists object to these for many reasonsEvidence of the New Testament
38. There is no explicit evidence that infants were included in these households and if there were, they are included in hearing and believing (e.g. Acts 18.8-11). Evidence of the Fathers39.
It is considered that this shows how early the Church started to
lose sight of the Gospel. The nature of Baptism itself40.
Baptists maintain that without personal faith and commitment to
Christ, Baptism does not bring salvation. Jesus and children41.
For Baptists, Gospel passages like Mark 10:13-16 are irrelevant
to the Baptismal debate. They describe children, not infants, who can
exercise a childlike trust, hence the parable. Baptists practise
believers Baptism, not adult Baptism. Baptism and salvation42.
Baptists uphold prevenient grace but do not believe Baptism is
the right way to show it. Baptism bears witness to our response to
Christ’s grace and our enrolment in His Church.
Notes prepared by the Rev'd Albert E Yorke
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