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What does it mean to be Baptist? Believer's baptism

12/7/2012

1 Comment

 
Our very name "Baptist" gives away something of our identity.  Foundational to our existence as a movement has been this idea of "believer's baptism by full immersion".  Again, this is no longer a position that is unique to Baptist Churches, however it is still something that distinguishes us from many other Christian traditions, most notably those who practice infant baptism, sprinkling, no baptism at all, or various combinations.  It is not my intention in this small article to convince you that believer's baptism is the "correct" way, but rather to summarise what I believe about baptism (as a long term Baptist person) and to highlight the tensions that exist for us around baptism as a 21st century Baptist Church.

For me baptism is an act of discipleship.  Unlike some traditions that see baptism as an entry point into the Kingdom of God (and thus it can happen to a child), I would assert that entry or belonging to the Kingdom of God is more a dynamic of faith than a physical act.  There is, of course, a physical act involved in baptism, and for that reason some Baptist Churches (not Hawera) still link it to "Membership", however in my thinking that act is more correctly understood as one of discipleship rather than belonging.  It's an individual decision, rather than a parental or community decision.  This decision is made as a response to the reality of faith in Jesus that has already occurred for that person, which of course usually happens within the context of a family and/or community. 

I would consider baptism to be a step of obedience.  Jesus said, "believe and be baptised" and so we follow the model that was established by Jesus and was the practice of the early church.  Related to this idea is that in some way we are "following" Jesus when we respond in obedience, from our own conscience, rather than the decision of others. 

It's also a public statement of belief - and quite an extreme statement at that.  When you think about it, it's rather "different" for a teenager or adult to step into a body of water, fully clothed, and have someone guide them to full immersion and out again.  However it is this very act and the symbolism attached to it (eg. dying to self, rising to new life, submission, cleansing etc.), that makes the statement so strong and clearly shows ones intention to follow Jesus for the rest of your life.

So that's what I believe, and with some small variations, what most Baptists have believed in the past.  However we are living in a mixed up world!  No longer are Baptist Churches full of Baptist people, rather we're a collection of Christian people from various backgrounds and different traditions.  For this reason alone I would be hesitant to say that "believer's baptism is the only form of baptism".  However, it is important that we don't simply give up on believer's baptism by immersion because some might think differently. As a Baptist Church we need to continue to promote "believer's baptism" and challenge people to this high calling of discipleship, obedience and public witness.  We should see more of it, not less of it, even while accepting that some among us will have had quite a different experience and find God's hand and significance in that. What do you think?
1 Comment
rocco gous
14/7/2012 09:01:51 pm

I whole heartedly agree with what you have summarized so eliquently what we as baptists believe concerning the Believers' baptism.
I love the strong link the Gospel brings between the kingdom of God and Baptism. Acts 2 : 37-42 How they heard, believed, were baptised and continued in the teachings of the Apostles and fellowshiping together with breaking of bread and prayer.
I also love to notice the link that Mark 16:15-16 reveals how the believers baptism flows on from Salvation and how baptism is linked to the separation process from Sin unto Life.
Also God's purifying work is linked to baptism as seen from Ephisians 5:25-26 / Hebrews 10:22 / Galatians 3:26-27.
Faith and Baptism as highlighted by Acts 19:4-5 propels us "into" Jesus, making us all, sons of God.
Acts 22:14-16 Also sees Paul putting some strong emphasis on the baptism. This is something we should be doing better too!
I can testify to the "new life" that the believer's baptism brings to a convicted heart and how Romans 6:3-4 became true for me more than 20 years ago.
But it was not just a once-off occasion to remember and get a certificate, but as Romans 6:5-23 shows us it is a life-long adventure of being transformed from glory to glory into the very image of our Lord Jesus Christ to the honour and glory of the Father.
And so we see that Colosians 2:6-15 reminds us that there is Life after death and that Life can start with a step of obedience in answering the call of the Apostles as they ended their Gospel messages with:"Repent and be baptised!" and Christ's invitation to be buried with Him and to be Raised with Him through faith in the power of God, who raised Jesus from the dead.
Lets heed Jesus' warning of John 3:5 that "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."
I can highly recommend promoting the believer's baptism as an act of obedience and discipleship as well as part of our public witness to our total surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.
From my own experience, I can testify that this faithful act of worship launched my spiritual life into a totally higher dimension of loving God and receiving His Love.

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