Articles
The Significance of Baptism
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"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mk. 16:16)
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Ac. 2:38)
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Baptism was a big deal in early Christianity. Everywhere the early apostles and evangelists went preaching the gospel, baptisms immediately followed (Ac. 2:41; 8:12-13; 8:36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 18:8). Jesus Himself associated it with becoming His disciple (Matt. 28:19), and the "body" of Christ--His church--was comprised of baptized believers (1 Cor. 12:13).
Yet today baptism is treated as little more than a ceremonial initiation rite that can be performed at one's convenience--or not at all.
Why do churches of Christ make such a big deal of baptism? Framing the question another way, why does the New Testament place so much emphasis on it?
First, let's address a common misconception. There is nothing magical about the water. The mere act of getting dunked carries no meaning by itself. No one will wave a baptismal certificate in God's face on judgment day and get a free pass through the pearly gates. It doesn't work that way.
First and foremost, baptism is an act of faith. Like Abraham offering up Isaac, or the Israelites crossing Red Sea, or Naaman dipping in the Jordan River to be healed of his leprosy, this act of obedience is a test of our willingness to submit to God’s authority. The Pharisees and lawyers who refused to be baptized by John (Lk. 7:30) were in defiance of God's instructions. It's a pretty simple test; will I submit to God or not?
What makes that submission such a challenge for many is that baptism is also an expression of humility. Let’s face it, allowing someone to plunge us in a large tub of water is a little humiliating. It's meant to be humiliating. By surrendering to this ordinance we are acknowledging our inability to save ourselves, and are "calling on the name of the Lord" to save us (Ac. 22:16).
Finally, baptism is symbolic of a deeper transformation. The water does not save, that's true. But the New Testament writers frequently associate baptism with belief and repentance, leading to forgiveness of sins (Ac. 2:38; Ac. 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Just as Jesus' burial and resurrection marked a radical change to a new life, so baptism marks our own transition into a new life (Rom. 6:4). We can argue hypothetical cases of people who get killed on their way to the baptistery and so forth, but we'll let God handle those circumstances. Our task is to accept what He has written.
Have you been baptized? If not, why not?
--David
