Baptism

Virtually every Christian denomination, fellowship or church practices some form of baptism because that is what Jesus told us to do, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 | NIV) The primary meaning of the word translated as “baptism” is “to dip or plunge under water.”

Baptism of believers demonstrates repentance and entrance into a covenantal relationship with Jesus based on faith. Baptism of infants is based on vicarious faith, the parents’ faith. If it works as designed, the infant is raised in a loving, supportive community of faith until he or she is old enough to make an informed profession of faith. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. Consequently, there are adults walking around thinking they are good with God because they were baptized as babies, but they do not know why they were baptized at all. (As an aside, there is more direct scriptural support for baptism for the dead than there is for infant baptism.)

If we see baptism as a part of the new covenant, baptism may be compared to circumcision under the Abrahamic covenant. It conveys no direct spiritual benefit beyond making a person part of a community of believers. If baptism saved us it would be a “work” and that would dilute grace. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”(Ephesians 2:8-9 | NIV).

Unlike repentance and sanctification, baptism is not indispensable to salvation but whenever possible should be viewed as the act of an obedient disciple. Jesus himself was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).  “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 | NIV). Notice failure to believe condemns, not failure to be baptized. It is a symbolic gesture that tells the world one has chosen to follow Jesus. It unites the believer in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

The baptismal “formula” most Christian communities use is drawn from The Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20. It is some version of, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” But that is like ending a prayer by saying “We ask these things in the name. Amen.” Jesus said, “ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14 | NIV) Jesus expects us to use his name, Jesus, not his eternal relationship, Son. Baptizing in the name of Jesus is consistent with the practices of the apostles and the 1st century Church. (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48 and 19:5). The “formula” that directly reflects early church practice would be some version of, “I baptize you in the name of Jesus.”