the meaning of baptism

[randyk]

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

 

[arlev]

I have no idea why the Church 'sacramentalized' it. Like most things, spontaneity when saved teaches believers to follow the Spirit and not to wait for pre-ordained dates and services. In Hong Kong, our friend working there would run the bath when a person was saved and, once full, immerse them fully into Christ. Interestingly, they used to pull the plug before burying and raising them which was quite in keeping with the way it was done in the NT and not as the Church performs it today in stagnant, unmoving water.

 

[AnFlaw]

I have been in the church since birth, and water baptism has always been something like a simple ritual of formality for me, but only after experiencing a personal encounter with God did I understand that it was primarily necessary for me myself.
Almost 10 years have passed since my water baptism, yet I remember almost everything that happened that day minute by minute (even though my memory is not that good), it was something amazing

 

[ResidentAlien]

I don't concern myself too much with the meaning of baptism. I know it has a meaning, but unfortunately many Christians have fallen for the idea that baptism just isn't that big of a deal. Addressing this seems to be the most pressing matter. I look at the examples and teaching we have from God's word, and it's clear that baptism was a major priority for the first Christians; they got baptized right away when they first believed. We should do and teach the same.

 

[homwardbound]

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

Yeah, that be waht is used by religions to get anyone under them! What??????????????????????????
tell yourself, what happened after water Baptism to you. did you quit sin or get worse at sin than you had already done sin at first. before water Baptism? In water Baptism did you get put under Law and sin in private more often that before your water baptism in that church?

I now glory I went through that, to see "I" cannot make me perfect ever. Seeing new in God's Spirit Baptism, that John the water Baptizer said he must decrease and Jesus will must increase

What has happened? Are we standardizing water baptism with spirit baptism? When

Ephesians 4:4-6 So which is it after the risen Christ for us the people, water or Spirit that saves?

I believed God, I received from God all I need for life and Godliness, God did it. Do I really need more, when God through Son the two as Won One did it for us all once for all to believe it or not consciously?

 

[rewriter]

The early church saw benefit in baptism, at least partially as a formal rite of passage into the community of believers, much like initiation rites in many other religions of the day. It also has roots in 2nd Temple Judaism which are largely ignored. To my mind, the bigger question is why baptism became labeled as a "sacrament", what did they see that we are missing today?

 

[homwardbound]

The early church saw benefit in baptism, at least partially as a formal rite of passage into the community of believers, much like initiation rites in many other religions of the day. It also has roots in 2nd Temple Judaism which are largely ignored. To my mind, the bigger question is why baptism became labeled as a "sacrament", what did they see that we are missing today?

wanting to be in charge and not revealing it. When no one is better than anyone else. yet the leaders wanted to be in charge. So they got Son killed, and then saw him risen from the dead Col 2 What a debacle the entire process was/is
What did Jesus say to the pharisees? Read it, see it, get it revealed to you to not do that too Luke 18:9-14 Forgiveness is to be received and you to be new in the same love and mercy to all from God Father through Son first
1 John 4, we love because God through Son loved us all first.

 

[arlev]

It also has roots in 2nd Temple Judaism which are largely ignored.

There's a lot of Judaic background in the NT that's largely ignored. To our cost, unfortunately - although the Scriptures don't change in to heresy because of it, the depth of teaching is lost. And, sometimes, the true meaning is completely lost.

The same is true of some passages in the OT, too - although historical and cultural background is a bit more difficult to be certain of.

 

[GWH]

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

I agree that water baptism (WB) is a public profession of saving faith and a symbolic portrayal of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ,
but viewing it as sacramental or salvific is wrong. RC "sacramentalized" it because they focused on Peter's statements in Acts and ignored Paul's teachings in his epistles that Spirit baptism (SB) of believers is what is essential.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

meaning of baptism?:

sometimes, the true meaning is completely lost.

Precious friend, that is what it seems like to me today. Because I have been through
these 'baptisms' in my life:

1) 'sacrament' in RCC as a physical baby in the world, then 27 years later...:

2) ...When I met The Saviour, The One [ Spiritual ] Baptism By The Holy Spirit, "translating

me Into The Body Of Christ" [ but Not understood at that time *, just having been Made​

a new-born [ spiritual ] babe In Christ ]​

​

3) While Still a new-born, 'heard' the water baptism of the 'church of Christ' (my brother's

church, his wife said I should talk to their preacher, so I did), and, Even though he wanted​

me to do it Immediately [ to "get SAVED" in his mind? ], I said I'll wait until the next ​

Sunday ( where I had the baby thought = I was on "the winning team"? But, alas... )​

​

4) Next, as a maturing child of God I encountered a 'reformed' tradition of water for

"dedication of infants"? Being a diligent 'student' of Scripture, asked the pastor​

for info on this, and he gave me a 'booklet' explaining it; I prayerfully and Carefully ​

Compared it To Scripture, and could Not find 'such a thing' In God's Holy Word ​

5) Left that org and then encountered the "symbolism" tradition, so thinking I "should obey",

I "went under water" the third And Last time, but Was still confused and wondering​

"what in the world is going on with water?"​

​

6) Later (11 years after my Wonderful Salvation!) in that same water org, God Led me

to [ a poisonous(?) book in the 'pastors library' I borrowed, and ] encountered a​

wonderful * Bible study book called "Baptism and The Bible: = Finally, God's Answer * ​

To All the Confusion [ about 10-15 Different denominational traditions, All of which​

have "lost the True meaning"? ]:​

​

Meaning Of "Israel's water baptism" to be continued next post...

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

meaning of water baptism?

...Continued from Previous = "Israel's water baptism" In God's Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

In God's prophetic program, there are, for Israel, "divers ( Various) washings
Greek : 'baptismos'" (Hebrews 9:10 AV), including:

1) Levitical priesthood baptism (Exodus 29:4; Numbers 8:7 AV). This washing was

The Second Requirement {The First being: "No blemish!" (Leviticus 21:21 AV) },​

in order to become a priest under the Law of Moses!​

+
2) water baptism of repentance that John preached (Before The Cross),

And Peter continued (After The Cross!) to preach!​

(Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; John 1:31; Luke 7:29-30;​

Acts 10:37; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16;​

Ezekiel 36:25 AV) .​

a) Does this baptism “save” anyone (Luke 7:29-30 AV)?​

​

-------------------------------------------------​

b1) Is this baptism in any way connected to the Levitical priesthood baptism?​

​

b2) Wasn't John preparing National Israel for God's Promise For​

them “to be a nation of priests unto God" (Exodus 19:6 AV)?​

​

b3) Was not The Second Requirement for priesthood induction,​

Washing? { may require re-review of "Levitical priesthood" baptism! }.​

​

b4) Did not CHRIST And The Twelve “heal” everyone in Israel who came to them,​

in order to meet “The First Requirement” For their national priesthood, that​

Of "No blemish!”? (Matthew 4:24; Acts 5:16 cp Leviticus 21:21 AV) .​

​

-------------------------------------------------------------------​

c) Is this baptism “for today”? If this baptism is for us Today, we have​

Several More Questions:​

​

c1) Why does No one Today, “teach,” as “John ( Under The Law! ),​

Claimed: it is For “making CHRIST Manifest To Israel” (John 1:31 AV)?​

​

c2) Why does { Almost } no one Today, “Confess their sins,”​

when they come to this baptism (Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5 AV)?​

​

c3) Why do not All Divided “denominations who water baptize” today,​

agree As one, And “teach” water as John, CHRIST, And The​

Twelve ( Under The Law! ), taught That “water baptism Is​

For The Remission Of sins!” (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38 AV).​

Meaning of water baptism?:

Water baptism Was For Israel, for "Induction Of the nation Into the priesthood"...​

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!” (online):

...According To God's "Revelation Of His Mystery":

There is Only One [ Spiritual ] Baptism, By The Holy Spirit, "Translating [ Identifying
'members' ] Into/With The One Body Of Christ", Today, Under Grace!

If you wish deeper study: Excellent One [ Spiritual ] Baptism video!

---------
And, precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

The Bible: The BIG Picture

Amen.

​

 

[JohnDB]

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

As @GRACE_ambassador said above..
The biggest part of Baptism is the license to explain scriptures and handle them (quote them) to other people....

also For the right to go to God to seek forgiveness from our sins.
We call this the "Priesthood of every Believer". Because literally trying to do any of these things yourself instead of using a priest would get you hurt or killed.

People also used to get "baptized" into various sects of Judaism. And Christianity is indeed a sect of Judaism. (Albeit much larger than Judaism is now)

So....
There you have it.
3 functions of Baptism.
Once upon a time it was a necessary answer for a test you needed to pass in order to obtain a church membership. Now I'd be surprised if church elders knew this off the top of their heads..

 

[ResidentAlien]

Baptism is a lot more than a public confession of faith. It's a spiritual act of obedience to the Lord and to the Holy Spirit.

 

[timf]

Water baptism was always part of the religious tradition of Israel for various reasons. It was associate with repentance for Israel as they had to change their minds about who Jesus was (Messiah) and recognize their need to follow the law for their nation.

The word transliterated "baptism" is the Greek word "baptizo" it simply means immersion such as washing dishes or sinking ships.

Gentile baptism is done by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. This immersion is the only one needed

Eph_4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
1Co_12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Various Christian traditions have come to see water baptism as a public testimony, a mean of receiving grace (salvation), or requirement for church membership. It can be difficult to consider that which one was raised may not be entirely accurate.

Water baptism is not necessarily wrong as it does not directly prevent one from trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to pay for our sins. However, there can be a danger is seeing water baptism as a ticket to heaven and failing to trust in Jesus.

 

[Suze]

I have a firm belief that the Old Testament is the forerunner of the New , and that ALL scripture is given for our benefit . Taking that as a given please consider 2nd Kings Ch 5 , verses 1-14 especially verse 13 ; And his servants came near , and soake into him , and said , My father , if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing , wouldest thou not have done it ? how much rather then , when he saith to thee , Wash and be clean ?
Acts Ch 2 V 38 , Acts Ch 8 V 26-38 , Acts Ch 10 V 43-48 . I could go on .

 

[Gideon300]

I have a firm belief that the Old Testament is the forerunner of the New , and that ALL scripture is given for our benefit . Taking that as a given please consider 2nd Kings Ch 5 , verses 1-14 especially verse 13 ; And his servants came near , and soake into him , and said , My father , if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing , wouldest thou not have done it ? how much rather then , when he saith to thee , Wash and be clean ?
Acts Ch 2 V 38 , Acts Ch 8 V 26-38 , Acts Ch 10 V 43-48 . I could go on .

Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 tells us that we are buried with Jesus through baptism. That's what you do when somebody dies. Believers can look back to the day when they were baptised and declare that it was the day the day they were buried. The old has indeed passed away. Too often Christians look at themselves and others as if their death and resurrection is future. In reality, it is in the past.

 

[Gideon300]

I don't concern myself too much with the meaning of baptism. I know it has a meaning, but unfortunately many Christians have fallen for the idea that baptism just isn't that big of a deal. Addressing this seems to be the most pressing matter. I look at the examples and teaching we have from God's word, and it's clear that baptism was a major priority for the first Christians; they got baptized right away when they first believed. We should do and teach the same.

Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 tells us that we are buried with Jesus through baptism. That's what you do when somebody dies. Believers can look back to the day when they were baptised and declare that it was the day the day they were buried. The old has indeed passed away. Too often Christians look at themselves and others as if their death and resurrection is future. In reality, it is in the past.

 

[Gideon300]

To me, consenting to be baptized is like making a confession. We are confessing that we have (past tense) committed our lives to Christ. We got saved when we first made that confession, but then make public confession of the same. The baptism itself is a statement of what we've chosen to do, dying to our sinful life and yielding our members to righteousness through Christ.

It is both a confession and a dramatic presentation to the world of what we've chosen to do. The Church sacramentalized this confession by including it in services so that all Christians could be witness to the commitment.

We will be baptising someone we know in the sea. She's not well at present so it is delayed. We baptised someone in the local swimming pool. At Easter, about 400 people will be baptised in the sea.

Christians are good at turning things into a ritual. It turns them into an outward observance instead of a meaningful experience. Baptism is not a box to be ticked. It's part of spiritual growth.

 

[GWH]

Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 tells us that we are buried with Jesus through baptism. That's what you do when somebody dies. Believers can look back to the day when they were baptised and declare that it was the day the day they were buried. The old has indeed passed away. Too often Christians look at themselves and others as if their death and resurrection is future. In reality, it is in the past.

Well, their spiritual death was when they first sinned (Gen. 2:17), their spiritual resurrection was when they believed in Christ's atonement (Eph. 2:5), their physical death will be when they die physically, and their physical resurrection will be when they receive heavenly bodies (Rom. 8:23).

 

[GWH]

Well, their spiritual death was when they first sinned (Gen. 2:17), their spiritual resurrection was when they believed in Christ's atonement (Eph. 2:5), their physical death will be when they die physically, and their physical resurrection will be when they receive heavenly bodies (Rom. 8:23).

(My five minutes of editing ran out before I harmonized what I added with what Gid said.)
It seems as if Rom. 6:4 and Col. 2:12 view spiritual burial and new life as occurring when Eph. 2:5-10 happens.