We are studying the elementary principle of faith for a believer as described in Hebrews 6:1-3. We have covered the first two principles, “Repentance from dead-works” and “faith toward God”. Jesus Himself said the following in Mark 1:14, 15, “Now after John (the Baptist) was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’”. There we go, repentance and faith towards God!
The next pair of principles are: the doctrine of baptisms and the laying on of hands. We will be looking at baptisms today. The word baptism comes from the Greek word “baptisma” and generally means complete immersion in some medium such as water.Show More
From the Bible, we can see four types of baptism (or washings) and they are: 1. Mosaic baptism– The word baptism is not used in the Old Testament of the Law, but rather washings. Under the Law of Moses “baptism” or washings were part of the system of purification. The baptism or washings was a part of the rites of purification prescribed by the Mosaic/Levitical Law. Depending on the sacrifice or ritual it involved the washing of hands and feet, as well as the body and sometimes clothing. These washings are seen throughout the Old Testament. 2. John’s baptism– John’s baptism was the baptism of repentance. This baptism in water prepared the way for individuals to accept Christ as the Messiah. Obviously, the Jews would have been familiar with Hebrew washings or baptisms. They would have accepted John’s Baptism as an opportunity to get right with God. John’s baptism provided the opportunity to repent of their sins. This repentance would prepare them for accepting or believing the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) when He appeared. 3. Christian baptism- Christian baptism identifies the believer with Christ. In particular his death, burial, and resurrection. A Christian baptism is an act of faith following salvation. Baptism is a public declaration that you are a Born-again Christian. When you are baptized by submersion in water there is a surrendering to the waters of Baptism. In essence, you are choosing to be submerged fully into Jesus Christ. To become “conformed” or like Jesus Himself. It is important to note that baptism does not confer salvation by itself, but is an act of faith following repentance and believing in Jesus Christ! Having said that a person can be born-again and baptized as a single event. The prerequisite for salvation is to “repent and believe”.
The Apostle Paul presents a compelling explanation of the power of Baptism in Romans chapter 6:1-14. In that chapter, Paul explains that when we are baptized we are baptized into Christ Jesus and that we identify with His death. “Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life” Romans 6:4. Verse 5 states that our union in His death guarantees our union in His resurrection. Verses 6 and 7 reveals that our “old man” was crucified with Him, therefore we are forgiven and no longer “slaves to sin”. Romans 6:8 says, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him”. By the way, isn’t it great that God does not see the person you were (the old man or woman) before you accepted Christ!
You see going into the waters of baptism represents our dying to sin, coming out of the waters of baptism represents our new resurrected life! In the words of Paul, the Apostle in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”. That is why Paul could say in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me”.
To be clear, Jesus was crucified, died, and rose again in your place. Baptism is your way of saying that you are not ashamed, and you are making a public declaration that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
There are some who refuse to be baptized because of pride, they are embarrassed to make a public proclamation. As a practical matter, you cannot be a “closet Christian” for very long. Being afraid or embarrassed by your faith is a sure way to stunt your growth as a believer. Listen to the words of Jesus in Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory…”. You see, if you really know Jesus you would not be ashamed of Him. Keep in mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven”. While baptism is voluntary it is an important step in growth as a Christian.
If you accepted Jesus as your savior and you have not been baptized, I encourage you to do it soon. If every time you hear a message or call to baptism and feel the Holy Spirit’s tug- just do it and have a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:21).
4. The fourth baptism is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and we will cover that in the next post.
