Sunday Rewind 1.13.08

Baptism is a subject about which many Christians disagree. The disagreement isn't about whether or not we should baptize. Jesus made that expectation perfectly clear. Just read Matthew 28:19 and you'll see what I mean.

The disagreement centers on the question of how baptism is to be done. For many, their perspective is formed far more by what their parents did or by their church tradition than by anything else. Although I'm grateful for the example of parents and the influence of church tradition, I would prefer to point people to what the Bible says about baptism and allow each disciple to decide for themselves.

To begin, the word baptism is really an unfortunate choice. The original word simply meant "to wash" and a number of other words having to do with getting wet. But instead of translating that word, scholars made up a new one...baptism. Consequently, the obvious meaning of the word vanished, creating opportunity for any number of other meanings to be attached by people of different perspectives.

The first record we have of baptism happening in the New Testament is John baptizing people in the Jordan River. Suddenly, Jesus shows up and insists on being baptized by John. You can read the account in Matthew 2:12-17.

From that point forward, people who place their faith in Christ are baptized (washed) in a ceremonial way as a public testimony of their new association...their new identity.

Now, fast forward to Acts 19:4-5. Here you find some of John's disciples who scattered when John was thrown in jail. Paul runs across them in Ephesus, fills them in on what has happened since they left, and baptizes them in the name of Jesus. Did you catch that? People who were baptized by John were re-washed as a public profession of their new association.

There you have what that Bible says about baptism. It's a public declaration of a new association. It's standing up and saying, "I'm not ashamed to go public, being identified with my new identity in Christ."

How is it with you? Have you been baptized since coming to faith in Christ? If not, I want to encourage you to do so. I don't care how. I don't care where. The only thing that matters is that you do so.