Baptism

Why are Christians baptised? What is the significance of baptism?

What does the Bible say about baptism? -

1. Jesus' example - Matthew 3v13-17
2. Early church example - Acts 16v29-34
3. Jesus' instruction - Matthew 28v18-20
4. Baptism and covenant - Colossians 2v11-13
5. Baptism response to God - 1 Peter 3v21

Jesus' Example

Matthew 3v13-17

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.
After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What was the reason Jesus gave for being baptised?
2. How did God and the Holy Spirit affirm Jesus at his baptism?

Thoughts to consider

Baptism is a moment of bringing together the testimonies of God, the person who has believed and a leader of the church. All are affirming that the person has believed and has received Jesus.

(Some churches shift things so that a child is baptised in order to be part of the community. They shift the emphasis to a later ceremony, such as confirmation, to capture this affirmation.)

Example in early church

Acts 16v29-34

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Questions for reflection or discussion

3. How did the people in this account come to believe in Jesus?
4. What link is given here between believing and being baptised?

Thoughts to consider

This is quite a story of an entire household coming to believe in one night. Just as they have believed so, they are baptised.

In many church cultures there is a disconnect between the two events. This is often to give church leadership time to evaluate if the person has believed.

Jesus’ Instruction

Matthew 28v18-20

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Questions for reflection or discussion

5. What are the disciples asked to do in this final encounter with Jesus?
6. What do you think it means to be baptised into the name of ...?

Thoughts to consider

The word baptism comes from the Greek word to dip cloth into dye. The cloth will take on the colour of the dye. So, making disciples involves immersing people into Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The physical action is called a sacrament. It brings a wholistic element to what is happening.

Baptism and covenant

Colossians 2v11-13

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.

Questions for reflection or discussion

7. What are the spiritual realities that baptism represents?
8. What does it mean to be buried with Jesus in baptism?
9. What does it mean to be raised again with Jesus to new life?

Thoughts to consider

Circumcision is the Jewish act of entering God’s covenant with Abraham. Jesus made a distinction for people becoming Christians. While circumcision cut away a physical part of the body, Baptism emphasises the death of our sinful nature, that part of us that demands our own way. This is followed by coming out of the water – the resurrection where the Holy Spirit enters a person to bring them to spiritual life.

Baptism a response to God

1 Peter 3v21

Baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Questions for reflection or discussion

10. What does baptism do for a person?
11. What is the basis for this simple ceremony saving someone?

Thoughts to consider

Baptism, this immersion into God would be meaningless without Jesus having died and risen. The physical act is only significant if it works in tandem with the spiritual reality. Nevertheless, the physical act can be a marker in life that helps a person move forward with confidence with God.

Overview questions for reflection or discussion

12. What would you conclude is the significance of baptism?

Thoughts to consider

Baptism is a sacrement, that is a physical or symbolic action that reinforces a spiritual reality. The very act reinforces the understanding that God has worked a change in the person's life.

Photo by Joel Mott on Unsplash