I’ve been teaching through the gospel of Matthew and a few weeks ago I reached chapter 3. If you were to ask most any good Baptist what baptism is, they would respond with “it is a public profession of faith.” However, would they be right? Where did we get that idea of baptism? When did baptism simply become something that represents our past? The majority of Baptists out there would say that baptism is an outward showing of what Christ has done internally. Meaning, it is something we are doing in the present to reflect what Christ has done in our past. The reason we think that way is because we are taught to think that, and we don’t take time to critically examine one of the most important texts when it comes to baptism.
I began studying Matthew chapter 3 with one major question in mind. That question was, “If baptism represents the remission of sin, why did Jesus have to be baptized?” I labored with that question for a while, and then I began to question if my assumption that baptism represents the remission of sins is correct. I went back to Matthew 3 and tried to study the text without the prior assumption that baptism is a reflection of the remission of sin and found that the major theme of the entire chapter is submission. Quickly the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. Jesus didn’t come to the earth to do what He wanted, He came to do the will of the Father. In other words, Jesus came to submit to the will of the Father.
I started to wonder if baptism, instead of reflecting remission, reflects submission. If baptism reflects submission instead of remission then it makes complete sense as to why Jesus needed to be baptized. Assume with me for a minute that baptism indeed reflects submission. Jesus then was baptized to show the community around Him that His total purpose in life was to submit to the Fahter’s will. What a powerful picture that is. In Acts we see that people were baptized because of the remission of sin. I understand that to mean that without prior remission of sin you can not by your own power begin to submit to the reign of Christ. However, the text does not mean that the purpose of baptism is to reflect the remission of sin. If baptism indeed does represent submission, instead of baptsim reflecting our past, it represents our future. Specifically, that we are set apart for submissive service to King Jesus.
[...] to that? My friend and school mate Josh Thompson has posted his thoughts on the topic over at Confessions of Josh, go over and see what you think. The premise is – If it is an outward sign of an inward change then [...]
Wouldn’t you say that there is an element of Baptism representing – death and life. I am inclined to think that is the image of baptism and why we should partake in it. The Gentiles were required to be Baptized showing they had died as Gentiles and were coming back as a convert. Jesus showes his victory over death when he was baptized. The Jews being baptized by John were showing thier death to the legalism and rebirth to the coming Messiah. (I think, this is all my conjecture) and we show our death of the old nature and life with the new. That is my take. I will devote some study to this later – but now – to work.
I think there can be a great picture of being dead in sin, and alive as a convert no doubt. I was just trying to say that I think the major emphasis in baptism is not our past (outward expression of inward change) but our future ( a life of submission to the King). I think it can be taught to people both ways though. I don’t necessarily have a problem with teaching someone that it signifies both. I just think that if it signifies in our life what it did in the life of Christ that it will mean more to us and possibly have a greater effect on our life.
Also to point something else out. Jesus’ baptism was His anointing as King over Israel. John the Baptist was the prophet (like Samuel), Jesus was the anointee (like David), and the water was the tool to anoint with (oil). He was being anointed to serve His Father in a role. I find that comparable in our life as well. Could it be the case that at our baptism we are being anointed by God to serve Him in a specific capacity? I don’t know. I don’t really have anything to base that from (that is my conjecture…lol).
It sounds like we need to define what it is not.
Yeah, maybe so.
Not that I am any great speaker on the subject, but I have recently been studying the origins of baptism since the subject came up in our College and Career class. I found it helpful to go back to the origins of baptism.
The act of baptism as we know it today was an adaptation of the Jewish custom of “Mikvah,” or ritual cleansing. It was used in various ways. It could be a cleansing in preparation of worship or sacrifice. It was used also for the Gentile that was converting to Judiasm, symbolic of crossing the red sea as the Children of Israel did–kind of a pledge of allegiance
I believe that John’s baptism and call to repentance was a combination of things: To the Jews that came it was affirming their allegience and preparing their heart for the coming King. To the Gentile that came, a “grafting in” ceremony ( a real slap in the face to the Jews). And for Jesus an act of submission to the Father, an example to us, and the annointing for ministry.
Hope this is helpful to someone.
God bless
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Thanks
Todd