By: Apostle S. Hama
The word Baptism is derived from a Greek word (baptizo) /Baptisma
which means total immersion in water. It also means completely soaked in
water. A ritual of washing / a rite of admission.
History of BaptismBaptism is a sacrament and doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ also called “Christening” in relation to infant baptism. In the New Testament the key man when we talk about Baptism is John the Baptist. Baptism started in the days of John and was done by the Jordan River, because there was plenty of water there. It is important to note that Baptism was a common tradition of the Jewish people. All foreigners who desired to change their identity permanently to Jewish or change their tribe to be one of the Jewish people went through a ritual of baptism.
Baptism was also associated with punishment. Hence the statement “baptism by fire”. To some other when one is enduring the pain of life that also can be called “Baptism”
Baptism in Christianity
There are some churches who believe that for one to be a member of their church they need to go through Baptism. Already there is an error in that belief because; a person is baptized to become a member of the body of Christ and not a church. Baptism marks the beginning of Christian Life.
Types of baptism
1.The baptism of John.
Readings: Matthew 3:7, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3, Acts 13:24 and acts 19:4.
This kind of baptism by John was done for repentance. If we read Matthew 3:7 (But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?), we find that this type of Baptism was a temporary move, because baptism in water alone is not complete. By the river Jordan people were baptized in the name of John and it was for repentance.
2.Baptism of Noah
I Peter 3:20-21 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism which 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,
This type of baptism is done unto salvation. We find the floods destroyed a generation of evil works. But with the same water God saved eight people. Noah and his family. We then can say the water baptized Noah and His family and they were saved.
3.Baptism of Moses
Reading: Exodus 14
This is the baptism unto deliverance. The Israelites crossed the red sea into their promised land. That was baptism from the land of bondage into freedom.
4.The baptism of Joshua
Reading: Joshua 1: 1-3 (After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.)
This is the baptism unto Victory. Joshua had to finish off the Journey of Moses and help the Israelites take over their promised land.
5.The baptism of Naaman
Reading: 2 Kings 5 verses 1-19
This is the Baptism unto healing.
6.Baptism of Jesus
Reading: Matthew 20: 23 (Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.")
The pains of suffering of a Christian martyr are also called baptism. This shows that Christian life is not a smooth road; there is also pain and affliction. Jesus referred to his crucifixion as baptism, and replies to James or John on their mother “s request accordingly. Also called the Baptism of Blood.
7.Baptism of the crucifixion
Reading Romans 6: 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)
Colossians 2:11 (In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,)
This type of baptism is associated with the newness of life.
8.Baptism of the Name of Jesus.
Reading: Acts 19:4 (Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.)
Acts 18: 25 (He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John)
This is the baptism that sets a mark and differentiates expression of repentance and faith
In whose Name should people be baptized?
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:15-16)
"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:47-48)
Baptism of Infants
There are no direct references of infant baptism in the New Testament, but the following verses mention the word household. Household are all the members of the family thus including children.
Acts 16: 15 (When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.)
Acts 16:33 (At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.)
Acts 18:8 (Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.)
1 Cor 1:16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)
I Cor 7: 14 is more related to believers infants baptism. (For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.)
Galatians 3 specifies membership into Christ as aligned to faith; thus marginalizing infant baptism
Who is worthy to baptize
A man who assumes the baptism of Christ
A man who has gone through suffering and labored for you.
A man in pain will baptize you better than a man who is passing by.
What must a person expect after Baptism.
1.Genuine repentance ( John’s Baptism)
2.
3.Salvation ( Noah’s Baptism)
4.Deliverance ( Mosaic Move)
5.Victory / Cross over (Joshua Baptism)
6.Healing ( Naaman’s Baptism)
7.Blessings
8.Ultimate change of Life
N.B. A minister of the word has got to go through Jesus’ baptism.
Through baptism in the Name of Jesus, one will receive the newness of life and gain a spiritual rank.
