Dying with Christ- Baptism of a Believer

When we talk about baptism, which of the following do you think is more important? The body of water, the person performing the baptism (assuming they are a Christian) or a believing and faithful heart of a person who is giving their life to Jesus? It is absolutely the faithful heart of the person being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ that is most important.

For example, in the story of Paul's conversion (Acts 9), Ananias was a nobody just like me or you ... yet he baptized Paul. His only known qualification was that he was a Christian. And since Jesus had only recently been executed, he hadn't been one for very long. Yet this insignificant man was chosen by our Lord and Saviour to do this very special task for, what would become, a very special man. The apostles didn't spend much of their time baptizing people. In fact, Paul said that baptism wasn't his ministry.

1 Corinthians 1:17
"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

Notice in Acts 9 that Paul wasn't picky about where he went to be baptized. In fact, where he went isn't important enough to be mentioned in the story. What is mentioned is that he believed and was immediately baptized.

I believe that baptisms are necessary for every Christian. The Bible directs those who have repented of their sin (changed their mind about how they think of sin) and believe that Jesus died and was resurrected from the dead, to be baptized (Matt 28:19, Mark 16:15,16).

A person being baptized makes a lifelong spiritual commitment. It should be a reflection of the inner change within their lives. Dying with Christ as they go under water and being raised with him to a new life as they come out of the water. All of this is done in the name of Jesus which makes anything powerful. (Romans 6:2-14, 1 Cor 12:13, Col 2:11-12, 1 Pet 3:18-22, Mark 10:38,39).

One thing that seems to stand out about the early Christian baptism is that it was so important to them that they didn't wait for a fancy ceremony. They were baptized immediately after accepting the message. This confirms its importance to me.

An example showing this point is, yet again, Paul's conversion (Acts 9). He was blind and hadn't had anything to eat or drink for 3 days. When Ananias came and laid hands on him the scales fell from his eyes... what was the very first thing that Paul did? As hungry as he must of have been, he was baptized and then he ate and drank (Acts 9:18, 19). If baptism weren't important to the early Christians don't you think Paul would have taken the dunk after lunch?

The thief on the cross met Christ in paradise without baptism. Does that surprise us though? Didn't he believe that Jesus was the Son of God? He proclaimed that from the cross. Jesus hadn't died yet. What made Abraham righteous and therefore able to enter into paradise? His believing God. Yet Abraham hadn't been baptized.

Make no mistake, baptism isn't just a right of passage. It may be the moment that we receive the Holy Spirit. There are verses that seem to indicate that very fact (Acts 1:5, 2:37-39, 19:1-6). In Acts 19 there was a group of people who didn't receive the Holy Spirit because they hadn't had a proper baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. A clear statement of the point is that when Paul asked these people if they had received the Holy Spirit. They responded that they didn’t know anything about the Holy Spirit. What kind of remark does Paul make next? “Then what baptism did you receive?” Acts 19:3.

Is it fair to say that Paul assumed that these Christians were baptized? Paul assumed because these people where Christians they would have been baptized. Notice that these Christians hadn’t announced their baptisms to Paul. What was it that caused Paul such alarm? That these Christians were baptized yet didn’t receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38-39 gives some direction on this subject:

Acts 2:38-39
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Notice that the Holy Spirit is promised to you too. Right now in our generation.

In order to receive the Holy Spirit during baptism, laying on of hands appears to be necessary. Acts 8:15-17 talks about someone who had been baptized in the name of Jesus, yet hadn't received the Holy Spirit until Peter and John placed their hands on them. Now I am reasonably sure that Peter and John are in heaven with the Lord right now so who in todays world would be qualified to lay hands on and deliver the gift of the Holy Spirit. The short answer is this: anyone who is a mature Christian that has faith in the power in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit can do this.

There is a verse that says that there is a baptism that saves you.

1 Peter 3:20-21
“… In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, …” emphasis mine

I would offer this final statement for your consideration. Would Christ have had to die such a very brutal death if we could be saved by John the Baptist's, baptism of repentance. We know by reading Acts 18:25- 19:7 that John’s baptism was not the same baptism as the early Apostles. Their baptism was a baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. It involved a heart felt commitment to Christ. Deep faith in Jesus' promises and a desire to give their very lives for him… literally. Jesus' baptism was of fire and the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16). I believe this is the baptism that is required of those who wish to be saved.

Salvation is all about Jesus and not about us.

My Humble Regards.

Your Brother in Christ,
Sean Porter