Baptism

Gregory A. Boyd and Paul R Eddy in their co-authored book, “Across the Spectrum,” examine many of the issues that are hot topics of debate among Evangelical Christians today. Among the many debates contained with their pages, that this writer finds of especial interest, is the debate and controversy over Christian water baptism. The fact that no person can be a member of any church, with some minor exceptions such as the Quakers and the Christian Scientists, without submitting to some form of water baptism is proof that the subject is of great importance. Boyd and Eddy point out “all Christians throughout history have agreed, on the basis of Scripture, that baptism is important.” All this withstanding, there is perhaps no teaching of the New Testament over which more controversy has raged than the subject of baptism.

Baptism is very important to the Christian faith for a number of reasons. God sent John the Baptist to prepare "the way of the Lord" by preaching repentance and baptism. John baptized his converts by immersion in water. Baptism in Scripture has always been by immersion, which means to submerge completely; to cover. When a person is baptized they will go completely down in the water. Jesus was God manifested in flesh (1 Tim 3:16). Therefore, He was perfect and sinless and yet, even the Lord and Savor Himself was baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus told John the Baptist "I must be baptized to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). Jesus is the perfect example that all Christ should follow and strive to be like Him in word and deed. Therefore, it would just make sense that a Christian today would follow the Biblical example of the Lord Jesus Christ by being baptized. There are few who would argue this point concerning the importance of baptism.

Of equal importance to the example of Jesus in baptism is the command of Jesus concerning baptism. In the Great Commission, Jesus made it clear that He wanted His followers to participate in and teach baptism. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt 28:19-20 NIV). Through the conversion stories in the book of Acts, baptism is always a noted practice. Obedience to God’s Word is the fundamental aspect of the Christian life and the only way to release the blessings of God into one’s life. It would only follow that Christians practice baptism today because it is a command found within the pages of the Bible. Again, I believe there are few who would argue this point concerning the importance of baptism.

However, buried deep within all the agreement concerning baptism is the debate over whom baptism is for, how it should be done and why it is significant. Many Christian denominations today practice water baptism on infants and children of believing parents. Others reserve the practice of water baptism for one who is of an accountable age and able to make their own decision to believe in and follow the teachings and commands of Jesus concerning baptism. Most Christians practice immersion as the mode of water baptism, while others contend that to sprinkle and/or pour with water is just as sufficient as immersion into water. The significance of baptism is perhaps the most debated aspect of baptism within most Christian circles. Is baptism merely an outward expression of an inward grace? Is it essential for salvation? Is baptism the prerequisite for church membership? Is it the avenue for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? Or is the significance of baptism the combination of some or all of the above? “Typically the positions taken in different traditions have been derived by inference from the Bible.” In light of all of this, it is not difficult to understand the numerous debates and controversies concerning the Christian act of water baptism.

Boyd and Eddy contend that “the issue most debated is whether baptism should be performed on children of believing parents or only on people who have made their own decision to believe in and follow Jesus.” These two opposing views would be other wise referred to as the “Believer’s Baptism View” and the “Infant Baptism View.” In showing the supporting arguments for Infant Baptism, Boyd and Eddy point to the evidence throughout church history and tradition for Infant Baptism. “From at least the second century, infant baptism has been practiced by the majority of Christians throughout history.” According to Infant Baptism advocators, the accusation of not supporting Infant Baptism is one of giving the impression that salvation is a matter of God responding to human choice and thus, not allowing God to be the initiator in salvation. In showing the supporting arguments