Drew Boswell

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A Discussion of Baptism (part two)

Modes of Baptism

Does it really matter if one is immersed, sprinkled, washed, effusion (pouring), etc.? These are referred to as the modes of baptism.  The word given in the Bible for baptism is the Greek baptizo, which means “to dip under repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge.”[1] To immerse is the primary meaning of the Greek word baptizo.  Also, the other referenced modes of baptism mentioned had Greek words to reference them (sprinkling; rantidzo, pouring; epicheo and prochusis) but they were never used in discussion of baptism (only baptizo).

Immersion best pictures the significance of baptism, which is death to the old life and resurrection to the new (Romans 6:1-4). Immersion was the universal practice of the early church and every instance in the New Testament either demands or permits it.

There are also extra-biblical references to baptism that are helpful in determining the proper mode of baptism. In the Didache (an early form of catechism around AD 100) it says,

“And concerning baptism, baptize this way: having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father, and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.”[2]

From this text one can gather that early believers expected baptism, and it was preferably by immersion. However, we can also see how the early church began to add to the canon of Scripture (i.e. fasting before baptism as a requirement, baptism in living water, cold water, etc.).

There are secondary modes, referenced by other early extra-biblical sources, used (such as pouring) but were used only when immersion was not possible. In such cases, such as sick people, pouring was called “clinical baptism.” Baptism in not part of a believer obtaining salvation or the forgiveness of sin, that only comes through faith in Christ and His death on the cross.

Baptism follows one’s acceptance of Christ’s gift of salvation as an outward act of obedience to what has transpired inside his soul. So the order of importance to the subject of baptism is (1) saving genuine faith in Christ alone for salvation (2) a proper understanding of the symbolic meaning of baptism and a profession of Christ (3) baptism (4) mode of baptism – preferably by immersion (5) membership into a local church.

When is a Child Ready for Baptism?

In the eleventh chapter of second Samuel is the story of David and how he has fathered a child with Bathsheba, and killed her husband. Because of this sin, God tells David through the prophet Samuel that He is going to take the child.

David then begins to pray and fast in hopes of changing the Lord’s mind, but eventually the child dies, and he responds to the servants concern about his drastic change in behavior from mourning to normalcy by saying in verse twenty-three, “But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” David is stating here that small children who are too young to make professions of faith or have the cognitive ability to understand their depravity and receive the gospel go to heaven. He says that he will one day “go to him.”

The child was too young to make a decision of faith in God, and yet as a son of Adam he was “born in sin.”[3] So he has the inherited sin nature from Adam, and did not express his faith in a coming Messiah. Yet, David says that he will see his son again. So Baptists have explained this passage as there is an “age of accountability,” where children develop cognitively, emotionally, and physically to such a point that they are able to understand their own sin, their lostness, and the gospel. David’s son was shown grace from God that we are not fully able to explain this side of heaven. So a child is ready for baptism once they understand these things, have genuinely received Christ as their Savior, and then follow of their own volition the teaching of Christ to be baptized.

[1] Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan, 1999), 377.

[2] The Didache, Early Christians, The Twelve Apostles, Chapter 7.

[3] Romans 5:12ff.

A Discussion of Baptism (part one)

Baptism in General

Baptism is proclaimed by Christ in Matthew 28:19-20.  Also known as the Great Commission, this passage is missiological, soteriological, ecclesiological, and Christological. Baptism is apart of the Great Commission, but not technically part of the gospel.[1]

It was practiced by the early church (Acts 2:38; 41, 8:12-13, 36, 38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5) There seems to be a clear expectation that a believer would follow in baptism; to put it off or simply not do it, is not apart of the early church’s understanding.

According to Romans 6 it identifies the believer with Christ. Theologically, baptism may be defined as an act of association or identification with someone, some group, some message, or some event. Baptism into the Greek mystery religions associated the initiates with that religion.  Jewish proselyte baptism associated the proselyte with Judaism.

John the Baptist’s baptism associated his followers with his message of righteousness.[2] The mark that signified one’s entrance into the kingdom of God was the belief in salvation through Christ alone and submission to Christ’s command to baptism.  It indicated a heart change based upon repentance of sin.

Therefore, baptism in the Christian orthodoxy is identification with Jesus Christ. The initiate is indicating that they are entering the realm of Christ’s lordship and power.  Baptism is the sign of the working of the gospel in which God unites the believer to Himself through Christ, and the believer testifies to the subjective reality of that union in his life.[3] Baptism into Christ and identification with Him, is also identification with His body, the church.

Water baptism is symbolic, where the water represents the grave. Believers are buried (when they go under the water) with Christ, and raised again into new life (symbolically by coming up put of the water).  Driscoll says, “In water baptism, Christians are immersed in water, which identifies them with the death and burial of Jesus in their place for their sins. Coming up out of the water identifies them with the resurrection of Jesus for their salvation and new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Altogether, baptism identifies a Christians with Jesus, the universal church, and the local church.”[4]

It is also commanded by Christ and the early apostles to be done by all Christians as an initial act of discipleship.[5] This is the first step of obedience that a new believer takes in their walk with Christ. If they are not willing to follow this initial command to be baptized, there is serious concern as to their obedience in other areas or commands of Christ. So, for a church that exercises church discipline on its members[6] for a person to join a church, and then refuse to obey Christ (and the teachings of it’s leaders/elders) then discipline would have to be executed immediately upon the new member.

If one understands the symbolism of baptism, and understands the command of Christ to be baptized, why would a person who purports to be a follower of Christ refuse to follow in baptism except as an act of disobedience? The church is to be made up of regenerate followers of Christ. Baptism is a base line requirement of obedience and church membership. It is also a time of publically displaying what has happened inwardly. John Hammet says, “Baptism is best understood as a rite of commitment. It I the ordained occasion when one confesses that she or he has made a faith commitment to Christ.”[7]

Baptism and Children

Theologically known as pedobaptism (pedo means child), Baptist have traditionally opposed the practice of infant baptism because of their belief, that baptism is conditioned on an active faith revealing itself in a creditable profession (credobaptism – credo, means “I believe”).[8] The Bible points to faith as a prerequisite for baptism, Mark 16:16; Acts 10:44-48, 16:14, 15, 31, 34.  So in order to faithfully follow in baptism, one should be able to show that they believe in Christ and His substitutionary death on the cross.

If baptism is an initiatory rite, it must only be performed on those who have exercised faith in Christ and thus have been made members of God’s family. There is also no evidence of the practice of infant baptism either by Jews or Christians in apostolic times. So, if one were a proponent of credobaptism, then this would naturally exclude those not capable to understanding or expressing their faith in Christ (i.e. infants, small children, and those with severe special needs).

Rebaptism

What about rebaptism? There is one clear example in the New Testament of such, and that is of the baptized disciples of John the Baptist who were later baptized again with Christian baptism after hearing and responding to the Christian message as preached to them by Paul (Acts 19:17). This incident shows that John the Baptists baptism and Christian baptism were not the same.

Even though they had been baptized before, when he becomes a believer in Christ he should be baptized again as a testimony of his identification with the new message and community. Therefore, if a person (for the first time) comes to believe in Christ, but has been baptized earlier in their life, they should be baptized again. Their previous baptism was not one of identification with Christ as the only means of salvation, but was for some other reason.

[1] Daniel Akin, Lecture Notes from Systematic Theology (SEBTS, 2000) 90-91.

[2] John the Baptist seems to be the first person to baptize other people. Typically those following in baptism would baptize themselves.

[3] Akin, Ibid.

[4] Mark Driscoll, Doctrine (Wheaton, Illinios; Crossway, 2010), 325.

[5] Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38

[6] Matt. 18.

[7] John S Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches, A Contemporary Ecclesiology (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Kregal, 2005) 267.

[8] Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, Vintage Church (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway), 115.

Daybreak Receives Distinguished Service Award

Daybreak Community Church was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for their ministry to families who have children with special needs by the Frederick County Board of Commissioners.  Rooftop Ministry has been seeking to serve the community for over nine years. Hundreds of children, volunteers, and siblings have been impacted with a love that comes from those who love Jesus and desire to minister in His name.

The ministry began with three special needs children and families and has grown to serving over thirty children, their siblings, and family members on a typical Respite day.

Daybreak also builds wheelchair ramps for families needing this service through their Ramp Ministry. The church also seeks to mainstream special needs children in their Sunday School classes by providing a one-on-one buddy so that the child can participate and be apart of the lesson.

If you are interested in being apart of this very important ministry please send an e-mail to pastor@daybreak-church.com.

The Grouch That Taught My Class; Lesson Preparation That Keeps You Friendly

Most teachers would say that their teaching ministry is very important and that they have a desire to impact the lives of their students. However, 80% of all Children’s Ministry teachers prepare their lessons after 10pm on Saturday night.  Why is that such an important task get pushed to the very last minute? People work a forty-hour week (plus), they have families, etc… so everything gets pushed back.

Let’s face it, we are all very busy, and everything competes for our time. In addition to the time crunch issue, many curriculums are so teacher friendly that the lessons are basically self-taught. So the tendency is to simply skim the material and “shoot from the hip.” But, the church of today needs teachers (and parents) who are spiritually deep, doctrinally accurate, and well prepared for class. To do any less is not giving our best to the Lord, and the task that He has given our hands to do.

So how can we deal with our busy schedules, and prepare for our class? First consider the following questions, “How much time can you give?” and “How can you save time in lesson preparation?” A teacher’s study time usually takes place on two levels:

(1) Their daily study and quiet time.  Most teachers understand their need to personally commune with God, and make sure their hearts are right before seeking to minister to others. Lifeguards need to know how to swim!

(2) The time they spend preparing for their lessons. Why not combine the two? You can save time and add power to your teaching by leveraging these times together.  Make your personal daily Bible study time your lesson study time.

Also, managing your time and thinking through your week enables you to break the over all material down into bite size pieces and make it more meaningful to you personally. This will also give you time to think through the Scripture and how it applies to the life of your students (their learning styles, personalities, what they would enjoy, what worked in the past, etc…)

So let’s break down the week:
A. Monday

Students need teachers who pray and ask God for direction.  So on Monday pray and ask God for direction. Open the curriculum and read it quickly.  Then close it. Discover where your lesson is in the Bible, read it quickly just to get the over all perspective.

Why?  God knows your children and what they need.

We need to go to Him first and let Him speak to us. Ask God to show you the most important truth; this will become your main theme.  Have one theme and only one.  Ask yourself, “Why is this story in the Bible?”  Don’t ramble.

B. Tuesday

As you go through the day think about the lesson.  No Bible, No curriculum. Use other resources such as Haley’s Bible Handbook or a Bible Dictionary. This will be time when you reference other background resources.

C. Wednesday

Pray and ask God to give you the same feelings everyone in the story had. Pause on each person.  Develop three adjectives (words that describe a noun) to describe their: (a) physical appearance and (b) character.

For example: I Sam. 17:ff

Physical appearance  David; small, armor, etc.   Goliath; Tall, Strong, etc.

Character David; Loved God, etc.           Goliath;   Arrogant, Bully, Armor

Then make a brief outline; for our example in 1 Samuel 17ff, it potentially would look like this:

A)   David talks to his father

B)   David goes to the battlefield

C)   David challenges

D)   David wins

D. Thursday
Don’t study at all, just meditate.  Ask God to show you creative ways to teach the main theme.  Pray and then listen.  Keep your mind in neutral.  Everything (kids, work, tasks to be done) must be temporarily put aside. Children will go home and tell their parents about the “cool” things they learned at Children’s Church, if the lessons are remembered.

Therefore, we must be creative in our lesson planning time.
For example:  “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord lasts forever.”   A simple but very effective way to teach this would be to hold up a faded and fresh flower, fresh and faded grass, and hold up the Bible.  But it had to be prepared ahead. It is very difficult to find fresh and faded flowers after 10pm on Saturday night!

E. Friday
Open the curriculum, and read through the support material.  This is the time to get practical. Go ahead and assemble visual aids, object lessons, etc.  Practice telling the story thinking through everything that you will need. Pray and thank God for the creative ideas.

F. Saturday
Pray and spend time with the family.  Nothing to do here, the work is done.

Not only are there the time crunch and creativity issues that are involved when we wait until the last minute, there are also the physical and emotional issues as well. If we are up late the night before, we are tired and aren’t able to give our students our all. By breaking the material down, and studying it over the week, then you are able to have an awesome lesson, but you will also be able to deliver it when you are at your best. If you are grouchy, and short tempered because you are tired, then it is not the students’ fault when they act like “students.” It’s your fault for not being prepared for them.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

May God bless your ministry as you seek to give Him your best!

*This article was adapted from a lecture given by Sandy Sprott at the Children’s Pastor’s Conference in 2002.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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