In my small group last Wednesday night we where going through Acts 1 & 2. The whole topic of Baptism and its importance came up, and I learned that I am pretty unsure of what I actually think about a pretty major biblical idea. Turns out there are very few verses about baptism in the New Testament. In one instance Peter commands a group of 3000 new believers to "go, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. "(Acts 2:36-37) Another place it says. "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Luke 3:16) So in one case it looks like a Biblical command that once you accept Christ you need to go get baptized, in the other, it seems like after Christ dies and the Holy Spirit comes we don't have to worry about it anymore. Based on the criminal crucified next to Christ and Christ's statement "Today you will be with me in paradise, (I don't understand this anyways because Christ didn't ascend for 3 days)," (Luke 23:43) it doesn't seem like Baptism is necessary for salvation. Other verses to support that are numerous, but there an example of one. On the flip side Baptism clearly has a major significance. "As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove." (Mark 1:10) This has two points of note, first that Jesus got baptized. Second, that something big happened because Jesus got baptized. These two thing make baptism seem really important, but it could be the exception because Jesus was God.
So I've read a lot about this and talked to some people and I can't really find anyone willing to take a hard line stance on this. What is the point of Baptism? Is it merely an outward symbol of an internal change, or is it something more than that? I hope some one reads this that can clarify. Maybe this is just one of those things that its better to be safe with and just go ahead and get baptized if you've committed your life to Christ. I certainly don't see a risk in it, except maybe getting excommunicated if you where sprinkled as a baby....
matt
2 comments:
We talked about this at campaigners on Monday. Baptism does not have to be done because Christ died for us. It just symbolizes us being reborn. The baptism says three things. Jesus did it, it was commanded to us, and we are supposed to go on the "great commission" of God. I am missing another concept, but that is the total idea of it.
In my opinion, it is actual, I will take part in discussion.
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