Is There More To Baptism Than Symbolism?

Last week I was asked what i thought about infant baptism. Before I write about infant baptism I think there is a bit of foundation material that needs to be covered. If baptism is one thing than the conversation on who should be baptized goes one way. If baptism is something else than the conversation goes down a different road. I think a good place to start is with the question, is there more to baptism than symbolism? Is baptism more than just a public sign of faith and a symbolic step in the direction towards Jesus?

This has become one of those controversial topics in the church. It's one of the factors that distinguishes denominations. I expect to have people who don't interpret the texts the same way I do and I invite you to share why you see this differently and how it relates biblically.

If you are looking for a place to start with the differences you can check out baptism on studylight.org. Here you can get some background on the greek, the traditions, and so much more from more than one point of view.

In my study of this I am going to stay within scripture. In the conversation of baptism any parts that come up above and beyond the symbolic parts would be supernatural. Supernatural things are not something we can know all the ins and outs of. They are not something we can put under a scientific microscope and study. Anything beyond the natural water, words, and physical presence in baptism is something we have to trust the word of God on. If you don't trust the word of God that is a separate discussion.

Something Supernatural

The question of baptism having something supernatural to it is not a new question. Just look at Mark 11:30 where Jesus asks the chief priests, elders, and scribes, "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?" Their response, in Mark 11:33, was "We do not know."

So, is it from heaven? Unlike the people who were being asked that question we have the New Testament scriptures to look at in search of answers.

Forgiveness of Sins

Baptism, as in ceremonial washing, had been around a long time before John became John the Baptist. This ceremonial washing (baptism) is something we find through the bible and something that was even around Jesus in His life. But, Johns baptism was different than just the ceremonial washing that had been going on. Luke 3:3 tells us about how Johns baptism was different where it says:

And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;

Notice the forgiveness of sins? Johns baptism was about forgiveness. This was still in a time where there were sacrifices for forgiveness. Jesus hadn't come and his sacrifice had not happened for everyone yet. John preached a baptism that gave the person forgiveness of sins.

What about now? Jesus has come so we have forgiveness though his sacrifice. Doesn't this change baptism? These are a couple questions I was asking myself though this.

Connected To Christ

During Jesus time on this earth His disciples baptized people. John 3 - 4 talks about this baptism. But, after Jesus dies on the cross there seems to be a difference in baptism.

There is still this forgiveness of sins as Acts 2:38 says:

Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Looking deeper we find something more now as we can see in Colossians 2:12 where it says:

having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

And Romans 6:4 says it even more clearly where it says:

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.

These texts are saying that baptism ties us to Jesus death and resurrection. This is not something that could happen through symbolism. And, Jesus death and resurrection were supernatural events. How can we be tied to supernatural events? Only through the supernatural.

This is where the forgiveness of sins, that I wrote about above, comes into play. Through Jesus death and resurrection we are forgiven. So, it all ties together.

Baptism Without Belief

I have read about many people who have tried to be baptized right before they die to get to be forgiven. Many of these people were not believers but wanted to be forgiven just in case.

Matthew 28 sheds some clarity on this. It says, in verse 19, to baptize disciples. That is to baptize followers of Christ.

What about those who fall away? Or, those who got baptized without belief? Or, those who were baptized as infants but never grew up knowing Christ? The bible makes it clear that our salvation is though faith in Christ. Maybe this is where that unforgivable sin talked about in Matthew 12 and Mark 3 comes into play? You know, the sin of rejecting the Holy Spirit?

Belief without Baptism

What about belief without baptism? The bible talks about this, too. One of the most talked about examples is the man on the cross next to Jesus. He had faith and Jesus told him in Luke 23:43 "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Conclusion

We don't need baptism to be saved (Luke 23). In Baptism we are tied to Christ, His death, and His resurrection (Romans 6:4). We are tied to His forgiveness via baptism (Colossians 2). This has to be a supernatural God thing because it sure isn't a human thing. Disciples of Christ should be baptized (Matthew 28).

I also think that this is something that we will never be able to understand as we would like to. There are so few details as to what is going on here. Baptism is one of those supernatural and perfect things that us natural and very imperfect people are just not able to completely understand. Luckily, God is perfect and faithful. Our imperfections don't hinder the work that God does here.

OK, this post is done. I have typed enough. Anyone care to beat it up? Or, support it?