Over the past few months we have been reviewing the doctrine of baptism. Recently, we put together a document in a Question and Answer format to present a condensed version of the more detailed teaching on the topic. Below is the first section of that document.
What Does the Word "Baptize" Mean?
The word baptize is a transliteration of the Greek word, baptizo (βαπτιζω), meaning to wash, dip, or immerse. This word occurs frequently in the New Testament, used both as a general term for washing (Mark 7:4) and as a technical term relating to Christian baptism (Matthew 28:19).
Baptists historically have practiced baptism by full immersion in water as the normal mode and method. Baptism by immersion appears to be the norm in the practice of baptism described in the New Testament and in the early church. However, some exceptions were made, such as when a large volume of water was unavailable.
As a technical term, baptism refers to the washing with water by immersion, picturing the washing away of sin by participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What is Christian Baptism?
Christian baptism is an ordinance of the church in which a follower of Jesus physically displays his or her participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, signifying his or her commitment to follow Christ as his disciple in obedience to his teaching.
This ordinance is administered by a local assembly as an act of affirmation of the believer's understanding of the gospel and commitment to Christ and as an act of acceptance into fellowship as a member of Christ's body.
How Do Southern Baptists Understand Baptism?
Churches belonging to the Southern Baptist Convention endorse and subscribe to the Southern Baptist statement of faith, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000. In this statement, baptism is taught as follows:
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
There are three important aspects of Southern Baptist Conviction:
1) Baptism is not salvific—it does not contribute to salvation. Baptism is an outward act of obedience, picturing the regeneration and conversion that has already taken place.
2) Baptism is a prerequisite to the Lord's Supper. Jesus instituted two ordinances for his followers: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is a singular act of obedience, whereas the Lord's Supper is an ongoing act of remembrance.
3) Baptism is a prerequisite for membership in the local church. Baptism is the public declaration of one's commitment to Jesus. As such, one who has not been baptized should not be welcomed into the membership of a local assembly because membership is limited to followers of Jesus Christ.
Baptism Q&A: Part 1
Over the past few months we have been reviewing the doctrine of baptism. Recently, we put together a document in a Question and Answer format to present a condensed version of the more detailed teaching on the topic. Below is the first section of that document.
What Does the Word "Baptize" Mean?
The word baptize is a transliteration of the Greek word, baptizo (βαπτιζω), meaning to wash, dip, or immerse. This word occurs frequently in the New Testament, used both as a general term for washing (Mark 7:4) and as a technical term relating to Christian baptism (Matthew 28:19).
Baptists historically have practiced baptism by full immersion in water as the normal mode and method. Baptism by immersion appears to be the norm in the practice of baptism described in the New Testament and in the early church. However, some exceptions were made, such as when a large volume of water was unavailable.
As a technical term, baptism refers to the washing with water by immersion, picturing the washing away of sin by participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What is Christian Baptism?
Christian baptism is an ordinance of the church in which a follower of Jesus physically displays his or her participation in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, signifying his or her commitment to follow Christ as his disciple in obedience to his teaching.
This ordinance is administered by a local assembly as an act of affirmation of the believer's understanding of the gospel and commitment to Christ and as an act of acceptance into fellowship as a member of Christ's body.
How Do Southern Baptists Understand Baptism?
Churches belonging to the Southern Baptist Convention endorse and subscribe to the Southern Baptist statement of faith, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000. In this statement, baptism is taught as follows:
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.
There are three important aspects of Southern Baptist Conviction:
1) Baptism is not salvific—it does not contribute to salvation. Baptism is an outward act of obedience, picturing the regeneration and conversion that has already taken place.
2) Baptism is a prerequisite to the Lord's Supper. Jesus instituted two ordinances for his followers: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is a singular act of obedience, whereas the Lord's Supper is an ongoing act of remembrance.
3) Baptism is a prerequisite for membership in the local church. Baptism is the public declaration of one's commitment to Jesus. As such, one who has not been baptized should not be welcomed into the membership of a local assembly because membership is limited to followers of Jesus Christ.