Table of Contents
Where Can We Receive Baptism?
What is the significance of baptism?
The Lord’s Table
Matthew chapter three shows us the first image of a believer being baptized. John the Baptist (Jesus’ cousin) baptized believers at the Jordan river. Jesus wanting to be baptized with John seems odd, since Christ was not a sinner. Each subject is based off a question for discussion.
What is the First Baptism of Believers?We said before that Matthew shows us Jesus being baptized by John. What happens next? Matthew twenty eight says: “Go and make disciple of all nations by baptizing them with the Holy Ghost, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” But where does that come out in the history ballads?
Throughout the history of Christianity, there has always been a baptismal ordinance. As part of the Catholic Church’s sacraments, baptism is offered to those who are members. Wayne Grudem, a Bible Doctrine author, explains that the Catholic Church holds that these sacraments are able to impart grace (without faith being required from those participating). The Baptists have always opposed this idea and believed of the Catholic Church and called them ordinances. The real problem was never what to label it. This is something minor and almost insignificant. The action itself is the problem.
Baptism: Mode and MeaningIt is important to note that the issue is not the name, but the way the baptism is performed. The dilemma is this: How do we baptize our children? It is a way for the Catholic Church to admit infants into their church. This is called “christening”. It is widely believed in the culture that baptism leads to salvation. Wayne Grudem compares this to Paul’s argument against the need for circumcision in Galatians. What are the Baptists’ beliefs about Baptism and their practice?
Baptist churches should believe that baptism is only necessary after salvation. This differs from the Catholic view that baptism is required for salvation. Scripture makes it clear for Baptists what baptism means and how it is symbolised. The Greek for baptism is called baptizo and it is translated “to plunge” or “to immerse”. Immersion is the act of submerging someone’s entire body in water. There are two major symbols associated with baptism. Baptism is a way to obey the Great Commission. Christ commands us to first baptize with the Father’s, Son’s, and Holy spirit. We baptize because we have faith in the Trinity’s power, and also in Christ’s ministry. Second, the act represents Jesus Christ’s burial, death and resurrection. Romans makes it seem that we must be fully immersed because the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is represented by this symbol.
Do you know that we who were baptized in Christ Jesus, were also baptized to his death? Romans 6.3-4: “We were buried then with him through baptism into his death, so that, just like Christ was raised up from the grave by the glory and power of the Father, we could also walk in newness in life.”
This passage is often used in Baptist baptisms. What is the point of this argument? Do you think that Baptists interpret this act in a literal way?
Martin Luther’s 95 Theses are well known to most people. Luther was an German priest that found faults within the Catholic church and posted his disagreements at the Wittenburg church on October 31st, 1517. Luther, as described by the Catholic Encyclopedia, started the Reformation. He was born 1300 years later than the corruption in scripture.
Baptists always have had an issue with infant baptism. In fact, the early Church did not practice infant baptism until much later. Tertullian wrote in A.D.200: “Let them profess Christianity when they understand Christianity.” Infant Baptism did not appear in the Church’s thinking until Origen thirty years after Tertullian.
First Baptist Baptism by Immersion took some time. Augustine was around 1100 years old. The priesthood in Europe felt a sense of urgency to share the truths of Scripture with the people and destroy the corrupt nature the Church. People who started baptizing received the insulting nickname Anabaptists. The Anabaptists did not do anything other than follow the Bible. Conrad Grebel (1498-1526) was an Anabaptist. He was baptized in 1525 at the home of Felix Manz, with George Blaurock and Felix Manz. Grebel lived, unfortunately, for just one year after he converted. It was claimed that he had baptized as many as 500 people in one go in winter at the frozen Sitten River. Manz had been arrested at the time of Grebel. He lived, however, until January 1527. Blaurock marked the beginning of official Anabaptism. In October 1525, he was recorded as stopping a church service in Hinwil. He asked, “Whose church is this?” Blaurock was jailed for preaching the gospel again. It was his travels…sharing the gospel that made him live longer (1529).
The Baptist movement was born. Our history is not without persecution. We have beaten down liberal walls and drawn the lines that we believe are true. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 reflects the long-standing tradition of adherence to scripture. The latest revisions are listed below:
The Holy Bible contains the revelation of God to mankind through men who were inspired by God.
The office of pastor, however, is only open to men according to Scripture.
God knows everything, and He is powerful.
But we know who we are. We became Baptists when we realized that man had filtered the Scripture. Infant baptism is what started it all.
There is only one way to look at this discussion. The requirement of baptism is wrong, but the question remains. What is the age to be baptized at? Scripture doesn’t specify an age limit or a set timeframe to confess Christ. When a young person is asked to describe their motivation for wanting to learn about Christ, it’s a good indicator of sincerity. You can ask them at any time in their life. The age at which a person is held accountable in the Bible does not have a fixed limit.
We are not trying to get you to change your denomination. Truth is always truth. The baptism of biblical origins was immersion. The baptism is a public, outward symbol that we accept Christ and die to ourselves. The Great Commission makes it clear that the Bible requires baptism. But it’s not necessary to salvation. However, it is a first step towards obedience to Christ. Acts 2, 3000 believers were baptized at the Pentecost. The point is this: The act of baptism is sacred. It is not to be taken for granted and should certainly not be a person’s salvation. Two things are important:
Baptism doesn’t save anyone, it is more of an act after salvation
Baptism is a double symbol. The act represents Christ’s dying, burying, and rising. Secondly, the symbolism of washing your old self away and your new dependence upon Christ is represented.
The Lord’s DinnerThe Lord’s Meal is often combined with baptism. It is part of the Catholic Church’s sacramental system and goes by the name “communion”. It doesn’t matter anymore what you call it. The local fellowship should practice this ordinance regularly. Luke 22 gives us a clear understanding of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus and His followers gathered in Jerusalem’s upper room during His final moments. Many questions arise out of this act. When do we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, exactly? Who is allowed to partake? What does this mean? What does it mean? Let’s answer this.
We follow the Lord’s Supper for a few reasons. It was Christ’s last act before his death. Christ says to do it in memory of him. Grudem’s book lists seven reasons the Lord’s Meal is so important.
By taking part in the Lord’s Supper, we symbolise Christ’s sacrifice for us.
We can all benefit from Christ’s death
Spiritual nourishment
The unity among believers
Christ affirms His love for me
Christ says that I am entitled to all of the blessings in salvation
I am a Christian.
Even though the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act, its purpose was to measure the age Christ had reached at the time of His death. Christ began his public ministry at thirty years old. However, the number of Passovers Christ attended is how we determine His age. Passover, a Jewish festival celebrated every year, was three times a year. We know Christ was thirty-three because He attended all three.
John 13 gives us another wonderful object lesson. Christ washes his disciple’s foot. On the surface, it may seem absurd for a man without sin to wash the dirty feet of people who are not even entitled to be in communion with Christ. Jesus washed Judas’s feet too! This is an amazing and perfect example of humility. Christ Himself said, “What you are doing now you do not comprehend, but later you will.” Peter became angry, as would anyone. Peter was shocked to learn what Christ intended.
When he washed and dressed their feet before resuming his place in the room, he addressed them with, “Do You Understand What I Have Done to You? Your calling me Lord or Teacher is right. I am both. You should wash each other’s feet if I, your Teacher and Lord, washed their feet. You have an example in me. I want you to follow my example. True, true, I tell you that a servant or messenger is not more important than their master. Then, you will be blessed for doing them .'”- John 14:12-17
Somehow, this issue became a topic of discussion in the church. This is still the Catholic view. Transubstantiation means that you believe the bread, wine, and other elements of communion become Christ when they enter the body. The priest blesses and elevates the loaf. This interpretation is a literal one of a passage in the Bible. Christ spoke in symbols many times during His ministry. Christ isn’t a vine, a gate, or even Manna. This is the failure to accept that Christ died for our sinnings. The Lord’s Supper, then, is a symbolic act. The Lord’s Supper is a powerful symbol.
It’s up your church. It is fine to remember Christ’s work through this particular act, even though I think the Catholic Church made a mistake by idolizing it rather than its significance. It is important to avoid both extremes. The Lord’s Supper is important, but the focus should not be on just communion. It is important to understand the symbolism and then act it out. We cannot, on the other hand completely withdraw from it. It is in a way a Christ-given command, when He says “…do the act in memory. There is therefore no set number required.
As Baptists we are firm in our belief this is for only those who’ve accepted Christ. Who is allowed to attend varies by church, but it’s important to consider this. Visitors can also be a problem. Can they participate? Technically speaking, they do not belong to the local body. However, there are multiple ways of looking at this. The Pastor is the one who knows how his congregation should look. No one should feel guilty if they participate in Lord’s Supper at a local church. This is the only possible exception. Children who do not accept Christ are not allowed to participate.
“Let someone examine themselves and eat bread and drink cup. If you eat and drink without thinking about your body, then you are judging yourself. It is because of this that many of your are sick and weak, and others have even died.” 1 Corinthians 11, 28-30
The Lord’s Supper requires reflection and self-examination. The Lord’s Supper is not a time to take a break and eat some bread with juice. The Lord’s Supper has a serious impact on those who take part and enjoy it.
The last two lessons have focused on two important Church ordinances (Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper). This is not a detailed explanation, but merely a summary. We have obligations to meet in order to follow Christ with obedience. It’s important to remember this. We must understand the reasons why we behave in a certain way. This understanding must be based on scripture, but it also needs to follow a logical path from beginning to end. We must not take the foundations of our Faith lightly.
