MAY 2 - Baptism

The message on May 2 covered these important points about Baptism from the viewpoint of Scriptural teaching and Methodist heritage:

Baptism is intended to be part of our unity in Christ, but it has often been a quite divisive issue among Christians.

Baptism is administered with water (by the form of sprinkling, pouring or immersion) in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Baptism is extended to all nations and all ages. There is no one that is an unacceptable candidate for baptism.

Baptism is not to be repeated.

Baptism is a sacrament - a means of God's grace - but it is not magic.
Baptism works hand in hand with our personal profession of faith.

Let us think more about some of these issues, and look at some important questions that some might raise. Does the Bible teach baptism by immersion only? Does the Bible teach baptism should be restricted to those of an age of full understanding? Why would we not practice rebaptism?

Does the Bible teach baptism by immersion only?

First, please note that United Methodists clearly affirm that immersion is a fully acceptable form of baptism. But we disagree with those who suggest it is the only acceptable form of baptism.

The biggest argument made for "immersion only" is to suggest that the Greek word for baptism (baptizo) means to plunge someone or something under water. Frankly, this is not the only interpretation.

It is true that "BAPTIZO" is not a religious word by any means - it can be used to refer to the baptism of a person and it can be used to refer to washing your dishes! It is a generic Greek term for washing.

Here are two examples where the word "BAPTIZO" clearly refers to washing, not immersing. In Luke 11:38, the Pharisee is amazed to see that Jesus did not wash (BAPTIZO) before eating. It is probably obvious from this context that this refers to the cleansing of one's hands rather than plunging one's body under water before eating!

Likewise, in the King James Version, there is reference to the traditions of the Pharisees regarding the "washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables."

Certainly it is likely that cups and pots were "washed" (BAPTIZO) by immersion, but this is likely not true of tables! In any case, the word clearly refers to "cleansing by water" but the form of cleansing is not restricted to one particular form.

Do we have any information about how biblical baptisms were actually performed?

Some authorities have questioned where there was adequate water in Jerusalem for the performing of 3,000 baptisms described in chapter 2 of Acts. The Supplementary Volume of The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible notes, "It is unlikely that in Jerusalem, Samaria, Damascus, Philippi, Corinth, Rome, or Asia Minor enough water was always available for a full bath."

In Acts 16, we see that Paul baptized his jailer and his entire family within the man's house, and Peter performed baptisms in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10). It is suggested that bathtubs and swimming pools were not fixtures of ancient homes.

Ananias baptized St. Paul where he found him in a house in Damascus. In fact, Acts 22:16 suggests that Paul may have been baptized standing up.

What about evidence from the early church?

The Didache was written around the year 100 A.D. and contains much information about early Christian practices. Regarding baptism, the instructions suggest that if there is no running water available, the practice is to "pour water on the head."

The earliest Christian artwork depicts baptism in various ways. One method depicts a person standing in a river (with water ankle deep), and water being poured over the person's head from a cup or a shell. Archeological evidence also shows variety in the forms of baptism. For example, an early Christian baptistry was found in a church in Jesus' home town of Nazareth, yet this baptistry, which dates from the early second century, was too small and narrow to immerse a person in.


Does the Bible teach baptism should be restricted to those of an age of full understanding?

On the very first day of baptism, Peter's instructions clearly include children, and do not mention any restrictions:

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you...for the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away..." (Acts 2:38-39)

Although we have plenty of examples in the Bible of the baptism of new adult believers, there are also several references to he baptism of the believer along with his or her family or household:
Lydia (Acts 16:15)
The jailer (Acts 16:33, where it specifically mentions his "entire family")
Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:16)

Jesus goes so far as to lift up "receiving the kingdom as a little child" as a model of faith. (Matthew 10:15)

Amazingly, Psalm 22:9 says "You made me trust you even at my mother's breast."

The bottom line is that Methodists agree with those who would say that a personal profession of faith is of critical importance. We just simply say that baptism may come before or after that profession of faith.

Acts 2 certainly implies belief before baptism ("Repent, and be baptized"). At the same time, Jesus' instructions in Matthew 28:19-20 might imply the opposite, as he instructs us to go and make disciples, to baptize them, and to teach them to obey.

Having said all this, occasionally Methodist parents will have a strong personal preference to delay baptism for their children until they are of an age to make their personal profession of faith. Although Methodists highly encourage the baptism of infants, we certainly honor the preference of parents who might feel otherwise.

Why would we not practice rebaptism?

This can certainly be tricky. If you were a pastor, and a man came to you and told you that he had been baptized when he was 15 years old, but that he did not take it seriously, would you consent to rebaptize him? As Methodists, you might be surprised, that the answer is no. Why would we not rebaptize him?

The answer is this. For us, we see baptism as a sacrament, more than a mere symbol. We believe God's grace works in the sacraments - baptism and Communion. Think of it this way. Baptism is more "God's gift to us" than it is "our gift to God."

God's gifts are complete. They do not need to be repeated or improved upon.

There are no stories of the repeating of baptisms in the New Testament, with the possible exception of the account in Acts 19 where some believers in Ephesus had experienced the ritual cleansing associated with John the Baptist, but had never been baptized into Christ. At that point, Paul prescribed that they received proper Christian baptism.

It is perfectly proper however to make a personal renewal of your baptismal vows.

Think of this comparison. A married couple may have a ceremony of renewal of vows. They are not actually getting married a second time! The pastor does not fill out a new marriage license. But they renew their commitment to one another. In the same way, a believer may choose to make a personal renewal of baptismal vows, in which the believer may touch the baptismal water, and the pastor may pray for the person along with the "laying on of hands."

It is also wonderful to think of Communion as a renewal of your baptism. Every time you feast on the bread and cup, you are being renewed. Baptism (the one-time sacrament) and Communion (the repeatable sacrament) go hand in hand!

If you have questions, feel free to post them!