BAPTISM IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL

By Gary Ray Branscome

Christian baptism began with John the Baptist. And, because John was sent by God to “prepare the way for” Christ, baptism has always been a divinely instituted way of pointing those who repent to Christ, as, “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, see Luke 1:76-78). In addition, the words, “That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith,” tell us that any forgiveness promised in connection with baptism comes to us “through faith” in Christ, not through the outward act of applying water (Galatians 3:14). Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that baptism is not important. God instituted it for a reason, and He works through it in ways that we do not always understand. What I am saying is that because the ceremony of baptism was instituted to point people to Christ as the source of forgiveness, God intended for Christ to be the object of our faith. And, it is through faith in Him that we have access to forgiveness. As it is written, “There is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The words, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,” tell us that John the Baptist used baptism in calling the people to repentance (Mark 1:4). The words, “John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” tell us that John pointed all who were baptized to Christ as the source of forgiveness (John 1:29). And, the words, “I [John] have baptized you with water: but He [Christ] will baptize you with the Holy Ghost,” tell us that John pointed those whom he baptized to Christ as the source of spiritual cleansing (Mark 1:8).

Because it is “the blood of Jesus Christ” that “cleanses us of all sin,” the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the spiritual cleansing [washing] that takes place when our sins are washed away (1John 1:7). And, the words, “We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,” tell us that we receive that cleansing when the Holy Spirit brings us to faith in Christ (Romans 5:2).

The words, “After this Jesus and His disciples went out into the countryside of Judea; and there He spent some time with them, and baptized,” tell us that Jesus continued the work of John the Baptist (John 3:22). However, the words, “Although it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples,” tell us that Christ did not personally baptize those who came, but let His disciples do it (John 4:2). And, a comparison of the words, “Preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,” with the words, “Repent, and be baptized… in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins,” tells us that just like John the Baptist, Jesus and His disciples were calling people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38). In fact, Christ’s disciples were baptized by John (John 1:35-42).

Because baptism is a “baptism of repentance,” the words, “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” are telling us to baptize those who repent (Matthew 28:19). That is why Christ told His disciples that, “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). And, all who are baptized receive the promise, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

Because baptism is a “baptism of repentance,” when Jesus said, “Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” His words “born of water,” were a reference to the baptism of repentance, with the emphasis on repentance (John 3:5). However, Christ not only referred to “water,” but also to, “the Spirit,” for it is the Spirit who brings us to faith (1Cor. 12:3). So what Jesus was saying is that “Unless a man is born of repentance [water] and faith [the Spirit], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

While the Greek word “baptizo” does not appear in Titus 3:5, “He saved us because of His mercy, through the washing of regeneration [i.e. rebirth], and renewing of the Holy Ghost,” because being “born again” is a “rebirth,” there is a clear parallel between this passage and John 3:5. Therefore, if the word, “washing,” is a reference to baptism it is also a reference to repentance. At the same time, the phrase “renewing of the Holy Ghost” is a reference to faith, for the Holy Spirit renews our life by bringing us to faith in Christ. Understood that way, this passage is telling us that we are saved through repentance and faith. [See John 1:12-13.]

Because baptism is a baptism of repentance, and because repentance is incomplete without faith in Christ, to “Repent, and be baptized… in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” is to repent and be baptized believing that there is forgiveness in Christ (Acts 2:38).

Because baptism is a baptism of repentance, and because repentance is incomplete without faith in Christ, the words, “Be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord,” tell us that the Apostles saw baptism as a way of “calling on the name of the Lord” for forgiveness (Acts 22:16). At the same time, the words, “Jesus… loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,” tell us that it is the blood of Christ, not the water, that cleanses us of sin (Revelations 1:5). The water is God’s way of assuring all who come to Christ that He has washed away their sins.

Because the Bible describes baptism as a baptism of repentance, when Peter said, “Baptism… also now saves us (not by removing the filth of the flesh, but the promise of a good conscience toward God,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” his definition of baptism was broad enough to include repentance and faith in Christ (1Peter 3:21). Therefore, when he said, “baptism… also now saves us,” he was talking about baptism in its context of repentance and faith, not water alone. That is why Dr. Walter A. Maier said:

“Do not be misled by those who say that Baptism is not important. They contradict Christ. They put their own opinion above Scripture. Take Jesus at His word, and you will find that through Baptism — and I mean of course, not merely the performance of the ritual itself, but by your personal faith in Jesus and in His promise — the Holy Ghost unmistakably comes to you.” (From the sermon, “The Power of Pentecost,” 1943.)