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Baptism at Riverton Baptist Community Church
Pastor Colin Meadows
Introduction
Originating during the time of John the Baptist, the practice
of baptising new believers soon became a strong feature of the life of the early
church. Baptism was seen as the outward expression of the inward faith
experience, a public acknowledge of one’s faith in Christ.
Baptism shows that a person is part of the family of God. In
Baptist churches, the practice usually follows these guidelines:
Baptism is for adult believers who have committed
their lives to Christ and now wish to obey Him by being baptised. Infants are
thus not baptised but can be presented by their parents at a worship
service. Baptism is by full emersion, at which time the believer makes a
public declaration of their faith in Christ. The only condition for baptism is
that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and have asked Him to
cleanse you from your sins. One does not have to be spiritually mature to do
this. Such maturity will come later as we learn to walk with God in obedience to
His Word.
Origins of Baptism
The first baptisms mentioned in the Bible were performed by
the prophet John in the River Jordan (Matt 3:6, Mk 1:5, Luke 3:3). Before then,
the Jews practiced ceremonial washings (Leviticus 15). Later, Gentiles, who
wished to become Jews, would undergo a type of baptism.
John the Baptist spoke of his baptism as being symbolic of repentance
from sin. Baptism for John the Baptist was thus for people who were wishing to
turn from their sins in a public confession before others.
The Baptism of Jesus
See Mk 1:9-13, Matt 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32-34. The
life and witness of Christ himself further supports the importance of baptism.
Christ set the example for us to follow when he himself chose to be baptised.
Christ wished to identify with sinful humankind. He wished to
show that baptism had more than the negative meaning of repentance. It was a
positive act of obedience to God and an outward sign of submission to God’s
will. God the Father showed his approval of Christ’s actions by declaring so,
and through the appearance of the dove, symbolising the presence of the Holy
Spirit. Jesus’ disciples baptised believers (John 3:22-4, 4:1-2) and later
Jesus gave the clear command for all disciples to be baptised in Matt 28:16-20.
The disciples were to make disciples, baptise them and then teach them. Thus a
person needed first to be a disciple of Christ in order to be baptised.
Baptism of Early Believers:
After Peter’s first sermon at Pentecost, the people were
told to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:37-42). The
Holy Spirit then fell on them. There are numerous examples in the book of Acts
for us to consider. For the Samaritans, they heard, believed and were baptised,
and the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 8:12-17). For the Ethiopian, he heard
and understood the gospel, believed and was baptised (Acts 8:35-9). Paul came to
faith in Christ and was baptised (Acts 9:17-17, 22:12-16). Cornelius and his
friends believed and were baptised (Acts 10:44-48).
In each of these cases, there was little apparent time gap between the
people coming to faith in Christ and then in being baptised.
What does it mean to be baptised?
From the passages of Scripture sited thus far several truths
about baptism emerge:
Baptism takes place after a person has repented and
put their personal faith in Christ, thus receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Baptism is an acted sermon, demonstrating the gospel before others.
It is an act of obedience by disciples to their Lord.
Baptism is a public confession that declares a new allegiance (Mt
10:32-33). It is turning from the old life one once lived (Acts 22:16).
It speaks of submission to Christ as Lord of our lives (Rom 10:9). It is
a picture of cleansing. See Romans 6:1-14
Baptism speaks of ownership by Christ. We are baptised
into Him (Gal 3:27). It is a picture of union with Christ’s people. We
are now all one in Christ (Gal 3:28). It is a sign of death to our old
life and resurrection to the new life in Christ (Rom 6:1-11). It is a pledge
of loyalty to God (1Peter 3:18-22).
It is a picture of a new beginning with God – we are
dead to sin and now alive to God. (Gal 3:23-29)
What should follow after Baptism?
Become fully involved in your church in an area of
ministry where you have a passion, allowing God to use your gifts for his glory.
Become a church member and thus be part of the decision-making processes
of the church. Tell others about Christ through the way you life and what you
say. Seek to grow in your faith, meeting with other Christians so as to
stimulate and encourage others. Allow the joy of the Lord to flow from your life
and so be a blessing to others!
Baptismal Services at RBC
People interested in being baptised first meet with one of
the pastors for a period of teaching from God’s Word. Each person at the time
of baptism is encouraged to share their story of God’s work in their lives. At
the time of baptism, when they are
in the water, they are asked questions similar to these:
Do you acknowledge Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
Do you turn from sin, renounce evil and intend through the
power of the Holy Spirit seek to follow Christ?
The pastor will then say “On the basis of your personal
confession before God and this gathering, I now baptise you in the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
If having read this material you feel challenged to be
baptised, speak with one of the pastors and they will arrange a suitable time to
talk with you. As you obey the Lord in this matter, may you know more of his
blessing in your life!
Further
Brown, B., Studies in Baptism (
Smith, L., With a View to Baptism (1988)
Pastor
CF Meadows
16/8/2005