Laws Publishing

TIME WITH GOD FOR BUSY PEOPLE

Jim Laws

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

The term “Christian Baptism,” means the baptism authorized and commanded by Jesus Christ. Let’s study the expressions of Scripture that show how Christian baptism relates to Christ and viewing those from a different prospective, i.e., from the Scriptures, rather than from personal opinions.

Matthew 28:19 states, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” The King James and the Revised Standard Version says “in the name.” However, “into the name” is more literally accurate, the Greek preposition being eis, (into) not en (in), though the distinction in their meanings is not always observed, and they are sometimes used interchangeably. “Into” seems to be the better translation and suggests we are baptized into fellowship with the Persons named, the Father, the Son (who is Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 states, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” As I studied this verse again, I observed some manuscripts have en, which literally means “in,” whereas others have epi, which literally means “upon.” Both expressions mean virtually the same thing and require recognition of and faith in Jesus as the Christ, but with a slightly different emphasis. “In the name” emphasizes a recognition of and submission to His authority. “Upon the name” emphasizes reliance upon and trust in the person named.

Acts 19:5 states, “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Here again you have “in the name” used by the KJV. and the RSV. The preposition eis is used, and “into” is the more literal translation; the idea being they were baptized into fellowship with the Person named – the Lord Jesus. Of course, when baptized into fellowship with Him, there is likewise fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit; as expressed in Matt. 28:19. Fellowship with One means fellowship with all Three.

Romans 6:3 states, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Once again, we have the idea of being baptized into fellowship or union with Christ. The writer goes further to indicate how extensive that union is to be: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin (Romans 6:4-7).”

Galatians 3:27 states, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” In this passage we have the notion of being baptized into fellowship with Christ. When that is done, we now assume the responsibility of living the way He lived, which is the idea inherent in the phrase “put on Christ.” We are to let the world see Christ living in us.

Colossians 2:12 states, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” This is Romans 6:3-7 in a more condensed form. Both passages show that when we are truly baptized into Christ–into fellowship with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit--we are overtly expressing faith in the crucified and risen Lord, and are so identifying ourselves with Him as to die, be buried, and to be raised, as was he. In our case, we are dying to sin, being buried as a sinner, and raised as a new creature to a new life; one in fellowship with Christ.

Therefore, we understand Christian baptism is far more than a mere tradition or ritual. When the command is truly obeyed, it brings all the blessings that accompany fellowship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It grants us membership in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13), which is His church (Eph. 1:22, 23); blessedness in death, if we maintain our fellowship with Christ (Rev. 14:13); a glorious resurrection (1 Thess. 4:16, 17), and in the world to come, eternal life (Mark 10:30).

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