Baptism

[Aaron]

One asked recently, 'Am I Baptist?'

He was answered saying in effect, if you're a member of a Baptist church, then yes.

But is that the case? What if his baptism was sprinkling or pouring?

Well, of course not, they would answer. A Baptist church immerses. (Let's set aside for the moment the fact that some Baptist churches do not require rebaptism when coming from another denomination.)

Baptists were named for the ordinance, and the mode is definitive. A Baptist church immerses in baptism, and to do any other is not baptism, and not a Baptist belief or practice.

Why is that?

Because of the meaning in baptism.

What is that meaning?

 

[Marooncat79]

Baptism symbolizes the death burial and resurrection of Christ ie we are buried w Him and then raised to walk in newness of Life

that’s the answer if I understood the question correctly

 

[atpollard]

... and the word itself (baptizo) means "to immerse" or "to plunge under".

However, I would suggest that the distinction is not the MODE of Baptism but that Baptists universally believe in CREDOBAPTISM ... an "ordinance" done BY the saved rather than a "sacrament" done to pre-qualify babies for a potential future salvation.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

... and the word itself (baptizo) means "to immerse" or "to plunge under".

However, I would suggest that the distinction is not the MODE of Baptism but that Baptists universally believe in CREDOBAPTISM ... an "ordinance" done BY the saved rather than a "sacrament" done to pre-qualify babies for a potential future salvation.

Just so. The 'Orthodox' churches baptize babies by immersion, but that doesn't make them Baptist.

 

[kyredneck]

... and the word itself (baptizo) means "to immerse" or "to plunge under".

...i.e., to dunk

 

[atpollard]

...i.e., to dunk

I read that and think of those tanks where you throw a baseball and somebody falls off a board into the water ... now THAT would be a distinctive mode of Baptism. [I wonder what the spiritual symbolism would be?]

 

[Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin]

I've always thought it was adherence to most of the ideas expressed in the Baptist Distinctives that make us all Baptists.

If I remember correctly:

• Priesthood of the Believer - Each Saved person can interpret scripture due to the Holy Spirit
• Separation of Church and State - (I only partially agree with this one)
• Two Offices - Pastor and Deacon
• Immersion Baptized and Saved Church Members
• Soul Liberty - Can not compel others to fake "belief" through force
• Ordinance of Baptism and Lord's Supper
• Autonomy of local Church outside of all government control or any other control. Congregationalist.
• Bible is the final authority on ALL matters

As far as I know, the IFB Churches, Free Will Baptist Churches, Missionary Baptist Churches, Reformed Baptist Churches and Southern Baptist Churches I've attended all agree with the above.

 

[JesusFan]

... and the word itself (baptizo) means "to immerse" or "to plunge under".

However, I would suggest that the distinction is not the MODE of Baptism but that Baptists universally believe in CREDOBAPTISM ... an "ordinance" done BY the saved rather than a "sacrament" done to pre-qualify babies for a potential future salvation.

Yes, hence "Believers Baptism"

 

[JesusFan]

Just so. The 'Orthodox' churches baptize babies by immersion, but that doesn't make them Baptist.

True, for they hold to a Sacramental Gospel

 

[Eternally Grateful]

One asked recently, 'Am I Baptist?'

He was answered saying in effect, if you're a member of a Baptist church, then yes.

But is that the case? What if his baptism was sprinkling or pouring?

Well, of course not, they would answer. A Baptist church immerses. (Let's set aside for the moment the fact that some Baptist churches do not require rebaptism when coming from another denomination.)

Baptists were named for the ordinance, and the mode is definitive. A Baptist church immerses in baptism, and to do any other is not baptism, and not a Baptist belief or practice.

Why is that?

Because of the meaning in baptism.

What is that meaning?

If I remember right, There are multiple forms of baptism.

sprinkling
Partial immersion
full immersion

If we look at the greek word (baptizo) and study it. We find that it is a derivative of the word Bapto. which means to dip (revelations says Jesus will come with his robes dipped (bapto) in blood)

Baptizo takes it further and means more than just a dipping, it is a full immersion.

As for sprinking. The greek word is Rantizo

I think the issue is the interpreters of the English bibles did not translate the Greek word, (baptizo - to immerse. to place into. to overwhelm) they transliterated it (Baptizo - remove the O and replace with an E = baptize).. Thats why we have so much confusion

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Two Offices - Pastor and Deacon

Many Baptist churches, including my own, have a plural eldership in which the Pastor is 'first among equals.

 

[kyredneck]

I think the issue is the interpreters of the English bibles did not translate the Greek word, (baptizo - to immerse. to place into. to overwhelm) they transliterated it (Baptizo - remove the O and replace with an E = baptize).. Thats why we have so much confusion

Bingo. I've been berated in the past for saying 'baptize' has never been translated.

 

[Van]

Yet another thread on "baptism" with defining whether "water baptism" or "spiritual baptism" is in view. Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. To discuss water baptism and leave out being spiritually baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3) is adding confusion and clarity.

 

[Aaron]

Baptism symbolizes the death burial and resurrection of Christ ie we are buried w Him and then raised to walk in newness of Life

that’s the answer if I understood the question correctly

Would you say it is a testimony of our identity with Christ in His crucifixion , death and burial?

 

[Aaron]

... and the word itself (baptizo) means "to immerse" or "to plunge under".

However, I would suggest that the distinction is not the MODE of Baptism but that Baptists universally believe in CREDOBAPTISM ... an "ordinance" done BY the saved rather than a "sacrament" done to pre-qualify babies for a potential future salvation.

This is the legalistic aspect. I'm concerned with the meaning and testimony of our baptism.

 

[Aaron]

I've always thought it was adherence to most of the ideas expressed in the Baptist Distinctives that make us all Baptists.

If I remember correctly:

• Priesthood of the Believer - Each Saved person can interpret scripture due to the Holy Spirit
• Separation of Church and State - (I only partially agree with this one)
• Two Offices - Pastor and Deacon
• Immersion Baptized and Saved Church Members
• Soul Liberty - Can not compel others to fake "belief" through force
• Ordinance of Baptism and Lord's Supper
• Autonomy of local Church outside of all government control or any other control. Congregationalist.
• Bible is the final authority on ALL matters

As far as I know, the IFB Churches, Free Will Baptist Churches, Missionary Baptist Churches, Reformed Baptist Churches and Southern Baptist Churches I've attended all agree with the above.

My question is, what are we testifying to in our baptism?

 

[Aaron]

Yet another thread on "baptism" with defining whether "water baptism" or "spiritual baptism" is in view. Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. To discuss water baptism and leave out being spiritually baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3) is adding confusion and clarity.

No, the question is, what is it that we are confessing to in our baptism?

 

[kyredneck]

My question is, what are we testifying to in our baptism?

An act of profession.

 

[atpollard]

This is the legalistic aspect. I'm concerned with the meaning and testimony of our baptism.

Fair enough. My Southern Baptist Church (Cornerstone Baptist Church … like no one else EVER used that name ) made a HUGE deal that everybody understood what they were doing and what it symbolized. Baptism was one of the “already and not yet” things of God.

• PAST: Our baptism (immersion) symbolized our Union with Christ in HIS physical death. Jesus really died and really entered the grave, just as we are symbolically really buried beneath the water. We are united with Jesus in His past literal death for our very real sins. As Jesus rose from the literal grave, we rise from the literal water, however our sins were removed through His death and resurrection. He rose transformed and because of his past work, we rise transformed.
• PRESENT: Our baptism is a statement to the world by both us (the person being baptized) and the Church gathered to celebrate and be witnesses. The person is proclaiming that they are dead to the word (symbolically burying the “old man” in the water) and they arise a “new man” in Christ … part of the community of the Family of God , The Church, His Bride … who stand there to witness and welcome the newest member. It is a proclamation to all that a dramatic change has taken place and everything is now divided between that which came before and that which comes after. It is a personal Ebeneezer.
• FUTURE: our baptism is a reminder that God is not finished. It is a reminder to look FORWARD to the “rest of the promise”. Some day, each of us will be laid to rest in an earthen grave. We will be buried for real. However, this next burial is not the end, but the beginning of the REAL promise. We will rise from the earthen grave just as we rise from the water. We will be transformed from what we were to the far more glorious what we shall be. The past (Jesus’ resurrection) and the present (our transformation from sinner to Saint) are shadows of the future that God has prepared for us.

That is the “meaning and testimony” of baptism as taught both at the little church I attend and any baptism that I have the honor to officiate over.

YMMV

 

[Van]

No, the question is, what is it that we are confessing to in our baptism?

Which one of our baptisms, our spiritual baptism or our water baptism? Folks, behold the truth.