ONE BAPTISM
--A. Ralph Johnson
KINDS OF BAPTISM TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE (Heb. 6:2)
1.
Baptism
in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5;
11:16).
2.
Baptism
in fire (Matt. 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17)
3.
Baptism
of suffering (Matt. 20:22-23; Luke 12:50; Mark 10:38-40)
4.
Baptism
in water--
a.
Unto
repentance (John's baptism --Mark 1:5, 9; Acts 19:3-4)
b.
Into
Christ (Commanded by Jesus --Matt. 28:19; Acts 19:5)
ONE BAPTISM
The Bible says
there is “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5).
That baptism is
the one that unites in one body, the church.
(Eph. 4:1-16; 1Cor. 12:13;
Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3; Ac. 2:41)
It is the one we
are to “obey” to receive remission of sins and the Holy Spirit.
(Matt. 28:19; Ac. 2:38;
16:33; 22:16; 8:12; 10:48; Rom. 6:17)
It
is the one that requires water.
(Eph. 5:26; Ac.
8:36-39; 10:47; 16:13-15; Heb. 10:22; Jn3:5; 1Jn. 5:6, 8)
QUESTION: Why
does Hebrews 6:2 speak of “baptisms” (plural)?
ANSWER:
The “teaching of
baptisms” may refer to the many washings done under the Old Testament (Heb.
9:10; Exodus 29:4; Lev. 14:8-9; 17:15-16; 22:6; Deut. 21:6; 23:11). After the
initial spurt of growth of the church among the Jews many had begun to slip
back to Judaism (Heb. 2:1-3; 4:1; 5:11-14; 6:1-6). The theme of Hebrews is,
“better” things in Christ (Heb. 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35,
40; 12:24).
If it refers to baptisms under the New
Covenant, it may have reference to knowledge of the different baptisms --not
that we must have received more than one. Ephesians 4:5 plainly says there is
one--obviously referring to that which brings us into the one body, the basis
of our unity in Christ.
PART I. CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS
IMMERSION IN WATER
Matt. 3:6. John baptized in
[Greek,“en”] the Jordan.
Matt. 3:16. Jesus went up from
[“apo”] the water.
Mark 1:5. John baptized in [“en”] the river Jordan.
Mark 1:9. Jesus was baptized
of John in [“eis”
--”into”] the Jordan.
Mark 1:10. Jesus came from
[“apo”] the water.
John 3:23. John baptized in Aenon because there was much water. (Note: the Greek
says “many waters.” That is consistent
with immersion.)
Acts 8:36. They came to a certain
water.
Acts 8:38. Both Philip and the Eunuch went down into
[“eis”] the water and he baptized him.
Acts 8:39. They came up out of
[“ek”] the water.
Acts 16:13,
15. Lydia
was baptized at a “river”.
Acts 16:32-33. The Jailer had to take
Paul and Silas out to be baptized.
Acts 22:16. Arise and be baptized
(It was necessary to get to the water. --not necessary if it had been
sprinkling)
1Cor. 10:2 “Baptized into Moses in [“en”] the cloud and in [“en”] the sea.”
Heb. 10:22. “...body washed[1]
with [dative case] pure water...”
1Pe. 3:20-21 Noah's family saved through
or by [“dia”] water of the flood, which
after a true likeness baptism does
now save us.
Eph. 5:26. “Cleansed by the washing
[2067 lutron]
of water with the word.”
Rom. 6:4. “...buried in baptism...”
Rom. 6:5. “...likeness of his death...”
Col. 2:12 “...buried with him in baptism...”
Col. 2:12 “...raised with him”
Col. 3:1 “...raised together with Christ...”
Only immersion pictures a burial and resurrection. It was in likeness of Christ's death. One is not “buried” by sprinkling a little dirt on
the casket.
Jesus was put into the
tomb, the door was sealed, and he later came forth. Similarly, we are immersed
in water and raised.
To this very day
the Greek churches immerse even infants.
The word was used in literature of New Testament times with reference
to things being dipped or sunk [as a
ship].
(See
Thayer, p. 907 Baptizo, I. 1. “properly to
dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge, (of vessels sunk, see Polyb. 1, 51,
6; 8, 8, 4; of animals, Diod. I, 36).
--Strong's Concordance Lexicon: 907 Baptizo; from a derivative.
of 911; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet)
--Thayer's Lexicon: “...an
immersion in water”
#911 = “bapto”
Luke 16:24. send
Lazarus, that he may dip [#911 “bapto”] the tip of his finger
in water, and cool my tongue;
John 13:26. Jesus therefore answers, He it is, for whom I shall dip
[#911 “bapto”] the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped
[#1686 embapto] the sop, he takes and gives it to Judas,.
Rev 19:13 He is clad in
a robe dipped [911 “bapto] in blood, and the name
by which he is called is The Word of God.
OBJECTION: Some
translations say, “sprinkled with blood.”
ANSWER:
The reason for
that is that various Greek manuscripts have different readings. If the Greek is
“bapto” it is always translated “dipped.”
#909 - “baptismos”
Mark 7:4.. and [when
they come] from the market-place, except they bathe [907 “baptizo”] themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they
have received to hold, washings [#909 - “baptismos’] of cups, and
pots, and brazen vessels.
Heb. 6:2. of the
teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of
the dead,
Heb. 9:10. [being] only
[with meats and drinks and divers washings] carnal ordinances,
#1686 = “embapto”
Matt. 26:23. And he
answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same
shall betray me.
Mark 14:20. And he said unto them, [It is] one of the twelve, he that dips with
me in the dish.
John 13:26. Jesus therefore answers, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and
give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he takes and gives it to
Judas, (the son) of Simon Iscariot.
In Heb. 10:22, “rantizo” is
contrasted to “luo” which is
sometimes used for baptize. It says that our hearts are sprinkled [#4472 “rantizo”]
[with blood --Heb. 9:13, 14] and our
bodies are washed [#3068 “luo”]
with pure water. This was washing of
the body, not merely put upon the head.
OBJECTION: Holy Spirit baptism is spoken of as the Spirit being “poured out” (Acts 2:17, 18; 10:45).
ANSWER:
When Jesus was “baptized in the
river Jordan” (Mark 1:9) he was not “poured out.” Baptism was what was done to a person “in” the
river.
One can be baptized in different things. Some were immersed “in the Spririt” (John 1:33). The Israelites were immersed in the cloud and the sea (1Cor. 10:2).
Only if the quantity is sufficient to immerse was it said they were “baptized.”
OBJECTION: In Mark 7:4 the word, “baptizo”
in some ancient manuscripts is “sprinkle.”
The two words must mean much the same thing.
ANSWER:
We do not know how this scribal error occurred. The supposition is too
speculative to carry any weight. Certainly the Greek words are entirely
different.
OBJECTION: In Mark 7:4 “Baptizo”
is also used to describe “washing” of
things such as cups and beds (Mark 7:4). It is unlikely that beds would be
immersed.
ANSWER:
The Greek word, “beds”
textually questionable.
However, in Jewish tradition they did immerse
beds. Their “beds” were often no more
than mats that could be taken up (Mark 2:9-12).
Rabbi Maimonides said, “A bed that is wholly defiled, if he dip it
part by part, is pure. If he dip the bed in a pool, although its feet are
plunged in the thick clay of the bottom, it is clean.”
Under the Old Testament the Jews did immerse or wash themselves completely
(Lev. 15:16).
Again, Rabbi Maimonides says, “Wherever,
in the law, washing of the flesh or clothes is mentioned, it means nothing else
than dipping the whole body in a laver; for if a man dips himself all over
except the tips of his little finger, he is still in his uncleanness.”
--The Gospel Plan of Salvation, by Brents p. 291
The fact that old manuscripts differ on whether the text should be baptizo or rantizo does not indicate they are interchangeable. Certainly we
can not reasonably translate Mark 1:9 as, “he sprinkled him into [Greek “eis”] the Jordan.”
Encyclopedia.
Britannica, 1956, Vol. 3, p. 86, “Baptistery”:
“The earliest baptistery extant is
probably that of the Lateran palace in Rome, which dates largely from the time
of Constantine. Octagonal in shape, this baptistery consists of a central area
in which was the large octagonal basin or pool called a font....Following this
tradition, baptisteries, throughout the early Church, were separate buildings,
circular or polygonal in plan, up to the 9th or 10th century. When the change
from immersion to sprinkling as the method of baptism rendered large
baptisteries unnecessary, the baptistery became a mere chapel with a church or
even disappeared entirely, the font being placed at any convenient spot. Many
baptisteries of the earlier type, especially in Italy, are of great size and
richly decorated. [Florence, Pisa].”
OBJECTION: There would not have been enough water available in Jerusalem
to have immersed 3,000 people in one day.
ANSWER:
The pools of Jerusalem had plenty of water and space to easily do the
job. The law required much washing and the Jews provided for it. The Pool of
Bethesda had five porches (John 5:1-3). The Pool of Siloam (John 9:7), is very
large and still in use today. Both of these are specified as places for people
washing. Either could easily have provided ample space and water for the job.
OBJECTION: There
would not have been enough time to baptize 3,000 by immersion in one day.
Sprinkling could have been easily done in mass.
ANSWER:
Baptism takes very little effort or time. Based on how large numbers are
usually baptized by several people at the same time, it could have easily been
done by the twelve apostles in from two to four hours. Baptism takes less than
thirty seconds per person unless one chooses to elaborate on a simple statement
of acceptance and baptism. Use your math.
OBJECTION: The
Jews would not have permitted them to use the pools.
ANSWER:
That is speculative and
without foundation. That kind of opposition to the church had not solidified
at this early stage. They were still
meeting in the temple Acts 2:46.
CALVIN: Founder of the Reformed
Church (later called, Presbyterian)
Calvin maintained that the
form used was “not of the least consequence” but conceded, “…it is evident that the term baptize means to immerse, and that this
was the form used by the primitive Church.” --Institutes, Book IV, Chapter XV, on
Baptism, 19. (see in “Did Jesus Command Immersion?” by Lawson. Also, Ages
Digital Library, p. 1465.)
JOHN WESLEY: Founder of the Methodist
Church
“We are buried with
him--Alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by immersion.”
--Notes on New Testament, Rom. 6:4 (Ages Digital Library, p.462)
“Sat. 21.
— Mary Welch, aged eleven days, was
baptized according to the custom of the first church, and the rule of the
Church of England, by immersion. “ –Works of John Wesley, Vol. 1, Extract
1:10, 1735-2/1737_p.15 (Ages Digital Library, p.39)
LUTHER: Founder of the Lutheran
Church said,
“Baptism (die taufe) is called in
Greek, baptismos; in Latin, mersio (immersion), that is, when anything is
wholly dipped in water (ganz und wasser taucht) which covers it. And although
in many places it is no longer the custom to plunge and dip (stossen und
tauchen) the children in the font, but they are poured over (begeusst) with the
hand, out of the font, according to the import of the word tauf (baptize), the
child, or any one who is baptized (getaust wird), is wholly sunk and immersed
(sonk und tauft) in water and taken out again; since, without doubt, in the
German language, the word tauf (baptize) is derived from the word tief, because
what is baptized (taufet) is sunk deep in water. This, also, the import of tauf
demands.” --Sermon on Baptism, translated from the critical Latin edition
of Jena.
“The Germans call baptism tauff,
from depth, which they call tieff in their language, as if it were proper those
whould be deeply immersed who are baptized.
And truly, if you consider what baptism signifies you shall see the same
thing required.” Luther’s Works,
vol. I, p. 72, Whittenberg, 1582.
Luther's Translation of the Bible into German uses the same word that is
used for baptism, taufte, for
Naaman's dipping in Jordan (2Kings
5:14). Luther translates the Hebrew verb tabal
by the word dip (tauchen) in the fourteen other places where it occurs.
Reference works listing
quotations of theologians:
Did Jesus Command Immersion?
-by Lawson, Standard Publishing Co.
Handbook On Baptism -by Shepherd,
Gospel Advocate Co.
The Gospel Plan of Salvation
-by Brents, Gospel Advocate Co.
OBJECTION: Those who were “baptized”
in the Holy Spirit had him “poured”
upon them (Ac. 1:5, 8; 2:3, 17, 18).
ANSWER:
The Greek word, #1632 “ekcheo,”
means to “pour forth” or “gush.” They were baptized “in” the Holy Spirit (Ac. 1:5). The
quantity was sufficient to immerse them. Some suggest that as they were “filled with the Holy Spirit,” their
hearts were immersed.
OBJECTION: Isa.
52:15 says he would sprinkle the
nations.
ANSWER:
The marginal note says “startle.”
It does not say, with water. Our hearts
are sprinkled with blood (Heb. 9:13,
14; 10:22; 12:24; 1Pe. 1:2).
OBJECTION: Ezek.
36:25 says, “I will sprinkle clean water
upon you.”
ANSWER:
This is spoken to the Jews (36:24) under the Old Testament, not to
Christians. “Clean water” was special
water made from ashes of a red heifer (Num. 19:1-9) to be used to ceremonially
sprinkle them. This is never called, “baptism.” The passage is a symbolic purification
done by God, not by us. (36:24)
OBJECTION: 1Peter 3:20-21 likens the flood to baptism. In the flood, it
rained upon them. The picture is sprinkling rather than immersion.”
ANSWER:
The way it rained better pictures immersion. They were enclosed in the
ark, as in a coffin, floating on the flood, covered by water falling upon them
and rising under and around them. They were totally inundated in the
torrent, unlike modern sprinkling or pouring for baptism.
OBJECTION: 1Cor. 10:2 says that those who went out of Egypt were “all baptized unto Moses in the cloud
and in the sea.” Clouds are made of droplets of water.
ANSWER:
Not so. They were immersed “in the cloud and sea” (Ex.
14:21-30; 15:2, 8, 10, 19). They were in the midst of the sea. The water became
a “wall” on both sides. The “flood stood upright as a heap.” It says
nothing of anything being sprinkled upon them. The sea stood up beside them and
the cloud covered them. In this way they were entombed in the cloud and in the sea.
“Change leads to change. Immersion was the
only mode of baptism in the Apostolic Church. No other would have been
understood. But when baptism no longer immediately followed conversion, when it
was frequently deferred till death was near, immersion in such a case was
impossible. When infant baptism became common the necessity for some relaxation
of the rule became still more pressing....” “...we are told that...where a bath
could not be resorted to it was enough to pour water three times on the head.
Here was the first beginning of what were afterwards called clinical baptisms...”
--The Growth of the Church, pp. 190, 191 by John Cunningham (Presbyterian)
“Baptism by sprinkling was rejected by the
whole ancient Church (except in the rare case of death-beds or extreme
necessity) as no baptism at all. Almost the first exception was the heretic
Novatian.” --Baptism, in The
Nineteenth Cent., Oct., 1879, pp. 697, 698 by Stanley (Church of England).
Note: “clinic” means, “sick.” It was permissible only in necessity. Water was poured
copiously to make it as close as possible to immersion. Upon getting well, the
individual was to be immersed. This continued even into the reformation period.
Eusebius said,
“...[Novatian]
fell seriously ill and was thought to be about to die. In the bed itself on
which he was laying he received grace by water being poured around over him, if
it is proper to say that such a one received it... When he believed, he was
counted worthy of the office of presbyter by the favor of the bishop who laid
his hand on him for this rank. The bishop was opposed by all the clergy and
many of the laymen, since it was not lawful for someone who had received
pouring in bed on account of sickness to become a member of the clergy, but he
asked to be allowed to ordain this one alone.” (Church History VI. xliii.
14, 17, quoting a letter from Cornelius, bishop of Rome, 251-253)
PART II. THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM
Scriptures showing the purpose of christian baptism
IN BAPTISM OUR SINS ARE WASHED
AWAY
-Acts 2:38. “Repent and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.”
-Acts 22:16. “And now, why do you wait, arise and be baptized and wash
[apoluo] away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.”
-Heb. 10:22. “Having your hearts sprinkled...
[with blood --9:13-14] and your bodies
washed [3068 louo] with pure water.”
-1Cor. 6:11. “ye were washed [628 apolouo] “ (margin: “washed
yourselves”--middle voice)
-Titus 3:5. “...he saved us, through the washing [3067
loutron ] of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”