What is the Best Method for Baptism?

Recently a brother asked a thoughtful question about the critical Christian doctrine of baptism. His query wondered,

What is the best [method] of baptism?

Disagreements and controversies arise because of the misunderstanding and improper application of many doctrines of Christianity. Teachings about baptism have resulted in differences of opinion on who should be baptized, what method of baptism should be used, whether baptism is essential for salvation and who should be allowed to baptize someone else.

Before we begin, let’s start with the assumption that it is not the physical water itself which saves us (1 Peter 3:21). Peter make that point very clear. There is nothing special about the water.

Today we will take a quick peek at the Bible’s teaching on the subject of baptism.

What Are We Asking?

For centuries, different churches use different methods for baptizing people – sprinkling water over them, pouring water over them, or immersing them into water. Some churches baptize children soon after birth. Others baptize adults once they make a profession of their faith in Christ. There are even some church that baptize an individual later in their adult life so as to assure the majority of their sins are washed clean.

Why are there so many methods of baptism and is there a method that is best?

The Greek Word for Baptism

There was really no question to the Greek of the first century what was meant by the word βαπτίζω (BAP-TEED-ZO).  In the secular, or non-religious, usage of the word, βαπτίζω  was presented to describe what happened to a cloth that was soaked in a dye to change its color.  In the Jewish and later Christian arenas, the word described a ceremonial washing to purify oneself completely for spiritual purposes.  It is interesting that the form of the verb itself in the Greek indicates the passive nature of the action – one cannot baptize himself; it is something done to or for its object.

The Example of John the Baptist

We are introduced to baptism in the New Testament with the ministry of John the Baptist.  John came preaching that God’s kingdom was at hand, crying to the people to repent and be baptized.  Listen to Mark’s words that describe this scruffily appearing cousin of Jesus:

1 The good news of Jesus Christ – the Message! – begins here, 2 following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Watch closely: I’m sending my preacher ahead of you; He’ll make the road smooth for you. 3 Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight! 4 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins.

5 People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. 6 John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey. 7 As he preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. 8 I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism – a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit – will change you from the inside out”  (Mark 1:1-8 Message).

John’s message – and even his requirement of baptism as a proof of a decision – paved the way for the message of Jesus and the ministry of the church.  After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven, Peter and the other apostles preached to a huge crowd of Jews gathered for the feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem.

The Example of Pentecost

Given the courage to speak by the Holy Spirit, Peter explained that Jesus of Nazareth had in fact been the Messiah that the Jewish nation had sought for centuries.  To make matters worse, the people had passively sat by as the political and religious leaders had him crucified.  But because the plans of God cannot be thwarted, God in fact raised Jesus from the dead, ushering in a completely new concept of what the kingdom of God was to be. Those who listened were touched to the heart, crying to know what they could do to make things right. Luke records Peter’s response to the people in the book of Acts:

37 Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?” 38 Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit  (Acts 2:37-38  Message).

God often uses rituals and structure to teach lessons. The practice of baptism opening a door through which the forgiveness of sins occurred surprises no one. Baptism signifies the moment in time an individual receives  the gift of the Holy Spirit. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He taught people through parables and object lessons, making use of the common to teach new and vibrant principles.  People understood ceremonial baptismal cleansing as a common practice. Peter powerfully tied this ordinary practice into an extraordinary event.

Paul’s Explanation of Baptism

Paul helps us understand the “object lesson” nature of baptism in the book of Romans.

1 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? 2 I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? 3 Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace – a new life in a new land! 4 When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus  (Romans 6:1-4  Message).

What we just did in talking about baptism in this way studied an issue within a biblical context. We attempted to be influenced solely by keeping the message precisely what was contained in the Scriptures.  A part of that looks at what the word and the concept meant in Biblical times.  Another aspect discovered how baptism was practiced by the early church.  The imagery and symbolism being taught through baptism encouraged and strengthened our faith.  Finally, we viewed the exposition of several passages from the Bible on the subject.  Honest scholars from every denomination would not disagree with anything that we have said to this point.

A Shift Occurs Because of Persecution

History tells us that it was not long before changes in the practice of baptism occurred in the church.  By the time that Paul was executed around _AD67, the persecution of Christians by the Roman government was in full swing.  Nero had successfully blamed Christians for the burning of Rome.  Christians were not just “ticketed” for practicing their faith, they were hunted down and executed.  Public gathering of believers, whether in homes or the market place, spelled sure death.  Baptizing new converts in the river was now impossible. Centuries would pass before church buildings would exist.  Hot tubs, or even bath tubs, were not found in homes.

Church leaders across the area were faced with the same dilemma.  Not willing to abandon a practice that was such an important step in the process of salvation, yet not willing to jeopardize everyone’s life in a public ceremony, congregations began to practice sprinkling water over the head, or rubbing it across the forehead, to signify baptism.  Such rituals were also common to the people – but obviously a huge portion of the imagery and teaching was lost.  And the word βαπτίζω  could no longer be literally used to describe the event – it was now symbolic – off-center because of the practical demands of the day.

Baptism for Forgiveness

Now the waters are about to become a little muddy – pun intended.  To this point baptism provided an act of the will – a response offered to God when repentance and a decision took place.  Clearly, one of the purposes of baptism guaranteed assurance of the forgiveness of sin.  But the question arose: what sins?  Past, present and future?  Sins from the past alone?  Would it include sins from the past and present?

Some began to put off baptism until the last possible moment, in order to get as many sins forgiven as possible.  Others weren’t willing to take such a chance, for themselves or their children.  Boys and girls were “sprinkled” at earlier and earlier ages, not wanting to take the chance that a tragedy at a young age would prevent them from entering heaven.  Eventually infants were baptized as soon as the parents could get them to a church leader.

Sincerity motivated leaders and believers. Can our practices uphold the authority of Scripture?  All still bowed to Jesus as Lord of All.  But all stepped away from the context of New Testament Christianity – toward a doctrine of convenience and acceptance for the church.

Baptism in A New Generation

Three hundred years pass before Christianity finds acceptance and freedom from persecution.  No doubt, first generation believers nudged each other at a baptism,  whispering, “Do you remember when we used to go down to the river to do this?”  But after three hundred years, few remembered even hearing the stories from the old days.  With persecution and fear no longer motivators, some may have questioned that in the Scriptures baptism took place in rivers.  “Should we practice baptism in that way?”  “No, no.  We’ve always baptized this way – there’s nothing wrong with it. And besides, it’s really just an outward sign.  What really takes place takes place inside.”

Over the years, the issue of baptism continues to draw questions from believers and non-believers.  “Do I really have to be baptized?” “What if I were sprinkled as an infant, doesn’t that count?”  “I would be quite embarrassed to stand in a gown and get soaking wet in front of people in the church.”  “Your insistence on an archaic ritual like baptism just proves your dogmatic intolerance.”  “God doesn’t care whether you are baptized – it’s just an outward sign.”  “Doesn’t Peter say that baptism isn’t necessary because water doesn’t save you – it’s your faith that counts!”  Our answers need to be sensitive and caring. God judges fairly and with compassion and grace. But we need to gently teach the truth of Scripture. We dare not remain silent on this issue.

What is Right?

Because there are so many different opinions, Christians remain silent because they aren’t sure which interpretation is correct.  Some remain silent because they don’t want to seem contentious over a small matter when there are so many more important aspects of the church. Others remain silent because they think eliminating harsh doctrines is more user-friendly and will make the church more palatable to the non-believer. Some remain silent because they don’t think God really cares about the particulars.  Still more remain silent, afraid of accusations of religious intolerance. Some remain silent because their understanding of God and the Bible lacks any depth and direction.

Is there a preferred method of baptism? In the New Testament, the church practiced baptism by immersion. Immersion correctly portrays the symbol the act represents – the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.