What’s The Deal With… Baptism? (Part 2)

What’s the Deal with… Baptism?

(Part II)

Last week we began a three week lesson series entitled, What’s the Deal with Baptism? We, in the churches of Christ, are known for our emphasis on baptism. These lessons examine whether this is just an idiosyncratic doctrinal oddity or whether its emphasis comes from an accurate understanding of God’s word.

Last week we discussed Acts 2:36-41 as a foundational text in the understanding of the place of baptism in salvation. Acts 2 records the first proclamation of the Gospel (Jesus is Lord and Christ), the first response (what shall we do?), the first gospel invitation to salvation (repent and be baptized), the first promised remedy offered to those who believe, repent and are baptized (forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit or justification and sanctification), the first gospel exhortation to obey (save yourselves!), and the first obedient respondents (3000 baptized). Not only is this pattern repeated throughout Acts, the theological discussions of faith, repentance, and baptism are all consistent with this throughout the remainder of the New Testament.

I’ll restate my thesis from last week’s article, “Water baptism is the final act in an unbeliever’s initial journey of FAITH. That journey leads them from unbelief to complete trust in Jesus as the source and basis of their salvation. Baptism has no power in itself. It is the place and time at which God’s promised justification (forgiveness) and sanctification (reception of the Holy Spirit and regeneration—new birth) is received.”

Baptism is not a meritorious work. In fact, it is the only passive pre-condition of salvation. We believe with the heart (active work), we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord (active work), we repent of our sins (active work), but we are baptized (passive submission). It is all motivated and energized by our faith.

In this series we will follow a question/answer format in which I will ask your questions and answer directly from the Scripture.

Some of the questions we will address include:

1. Why do we still baptize today?
2. What does God do when we are baptized?
3. Who can administer baptism?
   Can women baptize?
   Must there be church authority for baptism to be valid?
4. Who should be baptized?
5. At what age?
6. If Jesus had no sins, why was he baptized?
7. What mode of baptism is evidenced in the Scripture?
8. How many baptisms are there? Water? Spirit? Fire?
9. Should I be rebaptized?