Types Of Baptisms #
It is crucial to have a solid understanding of the realities behind Jesus’ baptism. This event was reported by each of the four gospels. This event has been a subject of conversation for two millennia all across the globe.
Many people in the church believe that baptism is an important component. It is a non-condition of salvation. They are certain in their conviction. They believe no one will be allowed to join the kingdom of God if they do not undergo baptism.
Others insist on getting baptised in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, using Matthew 28:19-20.
Matthew 28:19-20 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Others insist on getting baptised in water using Acts 8:36-38 and Acts 10:47-48.
Acts 8:36-38 — Now as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water! What is to stop me from being baptized?” So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
Acts 10:47-48 — “No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” So he gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days.
While others subscribe to Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12, Acts 16:15, 33, and Acts 18:8.
Acts 2:41 — So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added.
Acts 8:12 — But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized, both men and women.
Acts 16:15 — After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us.
Acts 16:33 — At that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized right away.
Acts 18:8 — Crispus, the president of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard about it believed and were baptized.
Many leaders insist on getting baptised in the name of Jesus, citing passages such as Acts 2:38 and Acts 10:48.
Acts 2:38 — Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one 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.
Acts 10:48 — So he gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days.
Others have also been heard to quote Paul, as stated in 1 Corinthians 1:1,7 that salvation may be attained without baptism.
1 Corinthians 1:17 — For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless.
Just what is the reality of the situation? #
We can be baptised in ten thousand rivers, or the name of Jesus, or the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Baptism can occur through the sprinkling of water or by being fully immersed in water.
But if Christ has not been formed in our hearts, such a baptism is reduced to a thing. It becomes a ritual, a ceremony, a tradition, which has all been nailed to the Cross in Colossians 2:14.
Colossians 2:14 — He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.
We end up clinging to only types and shadows.
Colossians 2:17 — these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ!
We are clinging to human laws, commandments, and teachings. #
Colossians 2:10-23 — “…and you have been filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. In him you also were circumcised – not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ. Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead. And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days – these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ! Let no one who delights in false humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind. He has not held fast to the head from whom the whole body, supported and knit together through its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God. If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to them as though you lived in the world? “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” These are all destined to perish with use, founded as they are on human commands and teachings. Even though they have the appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship and humility achieved by an unsparing treatment of the body – a wisdom with no true value – they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.”
Nevertheless, none of these practices can ever help anybody in having Christ formed inside of them. We are again in Adam because of this single circumstance that places us under the old covenant. Thus, is it not necessary for us to undergo baptism?
Baptism is necessary for us, but what kind should we get? #
The baptism described in Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27 is necessary for us.
Romans 6:3 — Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Galatians 3:27 — For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
What exactly is it? #
That is referred to as being baptised “into” Christ.
In Christ,
Shaliach.
