Acts 8:26-39; 10:30-48The Lord’s Command
Baptism is and always was the church’s initiation-rite (“Initiation,” from a Latin word for “beginning,” means reception and entrance into committed membership.) Yes; but what exactly is baptism? And why does it matter?
Baptism is a set action with water and words. By pouring, sprinkling, or immersing, the candidate is momentarily put beneath water, and then brought “out from under.” The Greek word baptizo means literally “dip,” and the action suggests both washing and a new start. The accompanying words—”in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”—announce a relationship in which the candidate is both claimed by and committed to the Triune God.
Why Baptism?
Pagan religions have washing rituals, and think them important for changing people’s inward state. But Christianity says that the inward change which counts before God is a matter of faith—not just correct belief, either, but a living heart-commitment to God through Jesus Christ. This change is not produced by any particular ritual, for it does not depend on any ritual at all. Rituals in emergency are dispensable anyway, and no ritual can help us while we deny or defy God in our hearts. The apostles baptized believers and their dependents, but insisted that what saves is faith—“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:14ff.; cf. verses 29-33).
But if you can believe and be saved without baptism, why does the church require baptism? Why not give it up, as Quakers and the Salvation Army have done?
The answer appears if we recall basic facts about Jesus, the man from Galilee whom Christians worship as their Savior, Lord, and God.
Jesus Christ
Who was Jesus? Read the Gospels and see! The first three show him as a man who was God, the promised Davidic ruler (Matthew), the suffering servant of prophecy (Mark), and the Spirit-filled evangelist pioneering the path to heaven (Luke), while John presents him as God’s only Son, the eternal Word, now made man without loss of deity to bring us life through faith in himself. Next, read the epistles, and watch Paul dwelling on Jesus’ divine sonship (Colossians 1:13-20), his redeeming death (Romans 3:21-26; 5:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21), his rising (1 Corinthians 15:1-20), his present reign (Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28), and his sure return (1 Thessalonians 4:13—5:11). Watch too how the author of Hebrews blends the themes of Jesus as Son of God and seed of Abraham, apostle and high priest, sacrificer and offering for our sins. Then read how Acts displays Jesus’ Lordship as Savior, and how Revelation celebrates his approaching triumph. Put all this together, and you will know who Jesus was.
What is he then to us? Our Master, calling us to serve God by shouldering a cross and following him; our Guide and Friend, who leads and upholds us here and takes us finally to share glory with him hereafter. Lord and lover too, he claims our first loyalty, and if we love him we shall keep his commandments—as indeed he said (John 14:15).
To Please Him
But now our question is answered! For baptism is among Jesus’ commands. He sent his followers to disciple all nations, baptizing them in the triune name (Matthew 28:19). So a church that did not require baptism, and an unbaptized Christian who did not ask for it would be something of a contradiction in terms. The root reason for the practice of baptizing is to please Jesus Christ our Lord.
Further Bible Study
The practice of baptizing:
Acts 8:26-39; 10:30-48
Questions for Thought and Discussion
What does the Greek word baptizo tell us about the significance of baptism?
What is the relationship between faith and the ritual act of baptism?
As a Christian, why should I be baptized?