Day 15 of the 40 Days of Purpose

“Formed for God’s Family”

This chapter has a section titled, “BATISM: IDENTIFYING WITH GOD’S FAMILY.” I would suppose for those coming from our heritage of the Restoration Movement that it is not surprising that I have chosen this topic to write on today. It is a shame that baptism has such a reputation of division among the various groups of Christian churches. However, baptism was used as a reason for division early in the church. Paul in addressing the reports of division in the church at Corinth was grateful that he had not baptized more people there if they were going to use who baptized them as a mark of distinction from other brothers and sisters.

My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. {12} What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas "; still another, "I follow Christ." {13} Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? {14} I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, {15} so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. {16} (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) {17} For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Cor 1:11-17 NIV)

Obviously Paul views baptism as a practice that should have been unifying rather than dividing.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. {13} For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV)

Paul made a similar argument for the Lord’s Supper in 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:17-34. It was the abuse of the Lord’s Supper that caused it to be divisive, for a major emphasis of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is unifying.

But the subject of baptism still divides us, and it is just as shameful today as it was then. When Christ sent the Apostles out with the Great Commission He commanded the practice of baptism.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} 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, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mat 28:18-20 NIV)

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. {16} Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16 NIV)

When the Gospel was first preached after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the Church had its beginning, baptism was preached and 3,000 people were baptized.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." {37} When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" {38} Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {39} The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." {40} With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." {41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:36-41 NIV)

It was obviously a major part of the teaching of the Apostles Paul and Peter.

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? {4} We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. {5} If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Rom 6:3-5 NIV)

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, {27} for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal 3:26-27 NIV)

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Pet 3:21 NIV)

So why would any church not include baptism as a part of its foundational teaching and practice? There are probably a number of historical reasons for each denomination, but a major one is tied to the effort of the Protestant Reformation to teach salvation by grace through faith. This was a major protest against the view that salvation is based on works, what the individual does to merit salvation. That our salvation is by grace through faith is exactly what Eph. 2:8-9 teaches. This basic truth of God’s Word and Work stands fundamental to all Christian teaching and the understanding of salvation. The argument by some is that baptism is a work used to merit salvation and should not be practiced in connection with a sinner receiving the grace of God. The point is well taken if baptism is taught as a work earning salvation. Salvation was paid for by the price of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This was made available to us through God’s love, mercy and grace and is to be accepted as His gift to us by faith. There is no earning what has been paid for and extended by grace. The problem is that baptism was never intended to be taught or practiced as anything other than a response of faith. It is directly connected to one’s faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 6:3-5) and therefore connected to the salvation that came through it in conjunction with faith (1 Pet 3:21). Baptism is connected to our becoming a heir of God and receiving the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:26-4:7). And it is an act of humbly in faith calling on the name of the Lord, “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16 NIV )

It has often been in the force of arguing for its significance to Christian teaching and practice that baptism has been portrayed as a meritorious work rather than simply submission in faith. It has even been the practice of some churches and fellow believers to use baptism as the one thing one must do to be saved, sending a message that baptism is the point salvation is earned, rather than it being a portrayal of accepting faith. As we continue to teach and practice baptism, let us do it with great care to emphasize that all the work of salvation was done at the cross and that we are still saved by grace through faith; and may we portray baptism in the beautiful image it was intended to restate what we believe in, the glorious story of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. May baptism become among believers of this age a unifier rather than a divider.