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Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Theological Q&A > (No Subject)
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borg
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 324
| Posted 12/12/2004 1:18 PM (GMT -6) |   | Q. 69. How does holy Baptism remind and assure you that the one sacrafice of Christ on the cross avails for you?
A. In this way: Christ has institued this external washin with water and by it has promised that I am as certainly washed with his blood and Spirit from the uncleanness of my soul and from all my sins, as I am washed externally with water which is used to remove the dirt from my body.
(Hiedelberg Confession)
Q. 165. What is Baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life: and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord's. (Matt 28:19; Gal 3:27; Rom 6:3; Acts 22:16; Mark 1:4; Rev. 1:5; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; Gal 3:26, 27; I Cor 15:29; Acts 2:41; Rom 6:4)
Q. 166. Unto whom is Baptism to be administered?
A. Baptsim is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but infants descending from parents, either both or but one of them, professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are, in that respect within the covenant, and are to be baptized. (Acts 2:41; Acts 2:38, 39; I Cor 7:14; Luke 18:16; Rom 11:16; Ben 17:7-9; cf. Col 2:11, 12; Gal 3:17, 18, 29)
Q. 167. How is our Baptism to be improved by us?
A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others, by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it and of th eneds for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of Baptism and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversion in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ, and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body. (Ps. 22:10, 11; Rom 6:2-5; I Cor 1:11-13; I peter 3:21; Rom 4:11, 12; Gal. 3:26, 27, Rom 6:22; I Cor 12:13, 25, 26)
-Westminster (Larger Catechism)
"So it is a more glorious work of power to uphold a soul in a state of grace and holiness, and to carry it on till it is brought to glory, when there is so much sin remaining in the heart resisting, and Satan with all his might opposing, than it would have been to have kept manfrom falling at first, when Satan had nothing in man." Edwards | | Back to Top | | |
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Violin for God
Luke, I am your father. --Nooooooooo!!!!!
Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 690
| Posted 12/13/2004 8:55 AM (GMT -6) | | Here's what I've learned about it:
First, we should take into consideration that baptism wasn't started in the NT. I think this gives a good indication of its significance. It started in the OT with Aaron & Moses (that's the earliest I recall). One of the purposes of water was to wash away defilement and impurities. We all understand that, strictly speaking, there may be one thing that is going on with the body, and another thing going on with our spirit (as Jesus clarified re: adultery and lust), but what DOES go on on the outside seems to be a fairly good indicator of what's going on on the inside.
As far as I understand Jewish tradition, one of the requirements of a Gentile before becoming a Jew was to undergo circumcision and (a week later?) baptism. I think it was the last thing to do before becoming fully acknowledged a Jew.
My take is that it is BOTH an outward symbol and an act of obedience. The inward reality is that those who turn to Christ as Lord (i.e. King/God/Numero Uno/Big Enchilada) and Savior will WANT to obey (even if the emotional desire isn't all there yet). Of course, there are people who will go through the motions with no heart, but if someone says they choose Christ but refuse baptism, I'd take that as a "very likely" indicator that they still aren't calling Him Lord.
"Reality is harsh to the feet of shadows." - C.S.Lewis, The Great Divorce | | Back to Top | | |
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Violin for God
Luke, I am your father. --Nooooooooo!!!!!
Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 690
| Posted 12/13/2004 8:58 AM (GMT -6) | | | Don't get me wrong though... baptism isn't NECESSARY for salvation, per se, but if one has the option, they should take it (and it doesn't have to be done in a church...a Christian friend can do it with a cup of water if that's what's available.) | | Back to Top | | |
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Violin for God
Luke, I am your father. --Nooooooooo!!!!!
Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 690
| Posted 12/14/2004 12:42 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by borg
Wasn't there a difference between the Baptism of the Old Testament and the Baptism instituted by that of the early Church after Christ's death?
Yes, there are a few things in NT baptism that aren't in the pre-Crucifixion baptisms (baptising in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). And in the OT, baptisms (e.g. immersions, sprinklings, etc.) weren't only used for Gentiles wishing to become Jews (also used for cleansing from defilement, Law-breaking, etc.).
But my claim is that we can better understand the significance of baptism if we keep its history in mind. | | Back to Top | | |
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Violin for God
Luke, I am your father. --Nooooooooo!!!!!
Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 690
| Posted 12/15/2004 10:28 PM (GMT -6) | | Significance of Jesus' baptism (sorry it's a bit long... but this is something I got from Unger's, through the Bible program I have)
Baptism of Jesus. The baptism that Jesus received from John was unique in its significance and purpose. It could not be like that which John administered to others, for Jesus did not make confession; He had no occasion to repent. Neither was it Christian baptism, the significance of which we shall consider later. Jesus Himself declared the main purpose and meaning of this event in His words "It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt 3:15). It was an act of ceremonial righteousness appropriate to His public entrance upon His mission as the Christ, which included His threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King, especially the second, for the essence of His redemptive work lies in His consecration as a Priest, the Great High Priest. In this office He offered not "the blood of goats and bulls," but Himself to put away sin (Heb 9:13-26). It is this consecration to His redemptive priesthood that comes into clearest view in His baptism in the Jordan. By "fulfilling all righteousness" our Lord meant the righteousness of obedience to the Mosaic law. The Levitical law required all priests to be consecrated when they began to be about thirty years of age (Num 4:3; Luke 3:23). The consecration was twofold-first the washing (baptism), then the anointing (Ex 29:4-7; Lev 8:6-36). When John on the Jordan's bank "washed" (baptized) Jesus, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him. This was the priestly anointing of Him who was not only a Priest by divine appointment but an eternal Priest (Ps 110:4) who was thus divinely consecrated for the work of redemption (Matt 3:16; Acts 4:27; 10:38).
(from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
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