What Is the Significance of Baptism? | 4 Views on Baptism

Type of Doctrine: Secondary 

"And Peter said to them, '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.'"

-Acts 2:38 ESV

Why does it matter?

Jesus gave instructions for his church to baptize (Matt. 28:19-20). Powerfully, Scripture presents a uniting with Christ in his death and resurrection which happens at baptism (Rom. 6:1-4). However, the main questions in church history have been: (1) how? (immerse or sprinkle); (2) who? (believers only or believers and infants) and (3) by whom? (ordained minister/pastor or anyone). Moreover, some believe that it is a symbol while others believe something more is happening at baptism. Various views have popped up concerning these issues (which will be discussed below).

This is typically seen as a secondary issue since it will probably affect the church one chooses to attend.

What is it?

Baptism is seen numerous times in Scripture, and the word means to immerse or dip into water. It appears in part of the Great Commission given by Jesus: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19).

Here are a few of the relevant Scriptures on the topic of baptism:

• [Matthew 28:19-20 ESV] "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

• [Acts 2:38 ESV] "And Peter said to them, '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.'"

• [1 Peter 3:21 ESV] "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . ."

• [Romans 6:3-5 ESV] "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."

• [Colossians 2:11-12 ESV] "In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."

• [John 3:5 ESV] "Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'"

• [Luke 23:43 ESV] "And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

Interestingly, in the Didache, an early church extrabiblical writing, the author says to baptize in "running water" (Michael W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers, 355). In case no running water is available, the author says to "baptize in some other water" (Ibid.). And if that is not an option, the author writes: "[T]hen pour water on the head three times in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit" (Ibid.). Perhaps, it seems, the early church used sprinkling as a last resort if sufficient water was not available.

Protestants differ from Catholics and Orthodox concerning baptism. Roman Catholics and Orthodox generally view baptism as a channel of grace which works apart from faith (John H. Armstrong, ed., Understanding Four Views on Baptism, 125). All Protestants stress the necessity of faith. Four of the main Protestant views are discussed below.

The following chart is adapted from John H. Armstrong, ed., Understanding Four Views on Baptism (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007).

4 Views on Baptism

Views	Description	Specifics
Baptist View	Baptism as a symbol of Christ's saving work	How? Immersion only Who? Believers only (though it is commanded and important, baptism is not necessary for salvation; see Luke 23:43) By whom? Typically pastors (Occasionally the church may give authority to someone else to baptize for a special reason or circumstance.)
Reformed View	Baptism as a sacrament of the covenant	How? Immersion or sprinkling Who? Believers and infant children of Christian parents (i.e., children receive baptism as a sign of the covenant like circumcision was received in the Old Testament) By whom? Ordained ministers
Lutheran View	God's baptismal act as regenerative	How? Immersion or sprinkling Who? Believers and infants (i.e., baptism saves/regenerates but not necessarily apart from faith as Roman Catholic/Orthodox believe) By whom? Typically pastors (unless in the case of an emergency where the life of the baby is in danger)
Christian Churches/Churches of Christ View	Believers' baptism as the biblical occasion of salvation	How? Immersion only Who? Believers only (key difference from Baptists: one cannot be regenerated apart from baptism, or in other words, it is necessary for salvation; see Acts 2:38) By whom? Anyone (since it is believed that baptism does not have efficacious power from one who performs the baptism or the act itself).

Application

It seems fitting to end with the words of Acts 2: "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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself" (Acts 2:38-39).

If you haven't been baptized, believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and seek to be baptized!

Where can I learn more?

Bibliography:

-Armstrong, John H., ed. Understanding Four Views on Baptism. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.

-Holmes, Michael W. The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007.