Can We Ever Agree On Baptism?
Can We Ever Agree on Baptism?
John 3:3-8 are verses that have been debated at length by many Protestant church divisions concerning water baptism. I have even read the Catholic Church is willing to conduct adult immersive baptism, but only when requested.
First, I want to discuss the derivation of the English translation of the Greek ‘Baptizo’ from which all translations in the English Bible of ‘Baptism.’ Baptizo is a Greek word that is clearly translated to English as ‘to dip or immerse.’ That translation is without question correct. So, why did the Wycliffe and King James translators create a transliterated word, ‘baptism ’? At the time of Wycliffe and the King James translators, the Church of England and the Catholic Church were no longer baptized by immersion, as was the case with the early church. They were baptized by sprinkling water on the head of the subject being baptized, whether infant or adult. There was never any doubt that the proper translation was ‘to immerse,’ but since that practice had ceased, the translators created a new verb, ‘baptize.’ It is not scriptural but an accepted practice that came from the Catholic tradition and was adopted by Lutherans and Calvinists.
The Anabaptists fought this in Germany and other Middle European countries. They were persecuted by the Lutherans and tortured and killed by drowning them, since they espoused immersion as the proper biblical term. The Anabaptists (Mennonites) have remained consistent in their belief in immersion. The first ‘Baptist Church’ was a break-off of the Church of England by John Smyth, established in Gainsborough, England, about 1600. They studied the scriptures, rejected infant baptism, and endorsed baptism by immersion. They were persecuted and moved to other countries. It is generally believed that all modern Baptist Churches came from these roots.
The Baptists spread to other countries and the English Colonies (in what is now the United States of America). Roger Williams is credited with bringing the Baptist tradition to America, founding the first Baptist church in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1638 after his banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his views on religious freedom. He was later joined by John Clarke, who founded another Baptist church in Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1800, the Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell (ex-Presbyterian Pastors) groups formed the ‘Stone-Campbell Movement (SCM)” and since their principal rationale was to follow the Bible and the Bible only, they adopted immersion and eschewed infant baptism. They themselves, who were sprinkled as infants underwent Baptism by immersion. This (SCM) movement later became known as the Restoration Movement. They were known as Christian Churches, Disciples of Christ, and the Churches of Christ.
To understand Christian baptism, I believe it is essential to consider ritual baptism in the Old Testament. We know that the traditional ‘Mikveh’ was commonplace in the Mosaic Law (see Leviticus 14:8, Leviticus 15:16, and Jeremiah 17:13). It was a bath, or immersion in (sometimes running) water. We know that a ‘Laver” was instituted in the first Temple in the wilderness for the priests to purify themselves when performing Holy Rites at the Temple. We also know that there were a number of baths with running water at Solomon's and Herod’s Temple for traditional “Mikveh’ cleansing for entrance to the Temple before offering sacrifice. The ‘Mikveh’ was used when a gentile was converting to Judaism. We see dozens and dozens of uses for the ‘Mikveh’, but it can be summarized as an immersion in clean water for remission of sins, for a Holy purpose.
There is a general consensus that John ‘the Baptist’ was doing this (Mikvehs) in the wilderness. But by complete agreement in the Gospels (Matthew 3:13 17; Mark 1:9 11; Luke 3:21 22; John 1:32 34) it was reported that Jesus said He must be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. Another component to the ritual was added in that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus of Nazareth, the Most High God, saying, “You are my Son and I am well pleased with him.” This descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus, I believe, completed Jesus' baptism as a human to set the example for the Baptism to come. John is quoted by Matthew (in 3:11) to have said, “11 “I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.
We find soon after (John 4:2) that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing. My belief is that for this to happen, Jesus must have baptized his disciples. Except for that Jesus was not baptizing himself. The other possibility is that all of the disciples with Christ after His baptism by John had already been baptized by John.
Peter objected at the last supper when Jesus was washing the Apostles' feet and was going to wash his. When Peter said ‘Wash my hands and feet,’ Jesus told him that he who is washed is completely (in the whole, Strong’s G3650) clean.” This convinces me that the Apostles and disciples were already baptized. We otherwise have no record of the Apostles and the other disciples being baptized before they baptized others on Pentecost. Logic, with no record, would indicate that any of the existing disciples who were missed for some reason were baptized on Pentecost with the other before they started baptizing.
Also, take note that in John 20:22, Jesus completed His conversion of His disciples when John (the Apostle) wrote that Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” That means, as I believe, the Disciples’ baptism was completed by the risen Christ at that time. The remainder received the Holy Spirit in the upper room at Pentecost.
Reader, take note that at Pentecost there was no need to baptize the Apostles before they baptized the 3,000 plus who accepted Christ after Peter’s speech in Acts 2:38. Also, Peter clearly (under the conviction of the Holy Spirit) called the crowd to profess belief in Jesus and be baptized for the remission of their sins, receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit as a gift from God. This is clearly another case of a Mosaic practice being modified and brought forward under Christianity. There are numerous examples, but just one would be the substitution of Jesus' blood, once and for all, to replace all blood sacrifices of the Mosaic Law. Baptism was another Mosaic practice completed in Jesus, as a foretype of baptism for those who would believe in Him and follow him. That is why Jesus said He had to submit to baptism to “fulfill all righteousness.” This is also why John the Baptist said (as quoted in John 1:33), This is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ Remember, in Ephesians 4:5 Paul uses the phrase, “one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.” That is not without purpose!
The ’Mikveh’ has been converted by Pentecost into Christian Baptism. It is a much-enhanced version, just like the others mentioned. We know the Jewish priest was abolished under Christianity; all believers have become Priests with direct access to God (1 Peter 2:9). Hebrews, chapter 10, clearly tells us that the Law was ‘a shadow of the good things to come’ and ‘have been ceased to be offered’ because ‘the believers, having once been cleansed’ no longer have to be reminded of their sins annually as the Law required. Scapegoats, Rosh Hashanah, mikveh baths, and Priests entering the Holy of Holies have all been transcended by the resurrection of the Messiah.
All believers, as a royal Priesthood (Peter) have only one High Priest, Jesus, who enables us to enter the Holy of Holies (the sanctuary) in the Heavens because of the blood of Christ. As faithful followers, we have replaced the Priests of the Law.
We know that Jesus referred to the ‘living water’ He brings (John 4; John 7). Therefore, we know that water has a dual meaning in God’s word.
Returning to my comments on understanding the scriptures of John 3: 3-8: to ensure translation accuracy, the word ‘again’ (as born again) comes from the Greek ‘anothen’ (Strongs – G509), meaning from above or from the beginning. “Anothen in Aramaic is de-rosh, which translates to English as ‘head’, conveying the meaning from the top or from above. So, the literal translation of ‘being born again’ is being born from above. The literal translation of ‘born’ from ‘born again’ is ‘to be regenerated’ (Strongs G1080, Greek – gennao).
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (ISV)
Therefore, to be ‘born again’ is literally ‘regenerated from above.’ This is a new baptism or immersion for the remission of sins, yes, but also for the love of God to be shed throughout our heart (conscience) and our mind (intellect) by the rebirth, or regeneration of our spirit by the Holy Spirit, which is received through believing Christian baptism. It is symbolic of being buried with Him in the Grave and rising from the dead into eternal life. Baptism has become a pledge (or surety deposit) of pardon, through the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
As a scholarly Jew, Nicodemus immediately thought he was referring to the physical birth of a Jew (being born from ‘above’). He then referred to his physical birth. But no, Jesus explained he was not just referring to the water of birth, but also the water of immersion, and the Water (the Spirit) from above. I submit that there is no reason that there cannot be a triple meaning of ‘Water’ here. It can mean the water of birth, as Nicodemus thought. It can mean the water of immersion – a commitment to the new covenant. And, it can mean the ‘Water of the Holy Spirit’ descending on us from ‘above’ just as Peter preached in Acts 2:38.
Jesus explained to Nicodemus that what he was teaching transcended Mosaic Law. He dismissed Nicodemus’ misunderstanding about being reborn of the water of the womb. That, Jesus explained, was the birth of flesh. He explained that being born a Jew was not enough anymore. With the Messiah’s first coming, all must be reborn (regenerated) again (from above) by the Holy Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God.
Mark 16:16 reads, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn’t believe will be condemned.” That is a promise from Jesus. 1 John (5:13) writes, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
The Lord God Almighty keeps His promises.
Robert Lee Hurley, Retired Atascosa County Judge
Author of “Restoring the Restoration,” What Went Wrong? And, a historical novel “The Life of the Apostle Philip; Email: hurley6469@gmail.com; Phone: 830-200-8744
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2025
Comments
Post a Comment