13. Christian Baptism                           

Introduction

For all Christians baptism is important. This page invites readers to think about this beginning of our journey.

Pictures of Baptism

The NT has many ways of describing baptism. John’s Gospel is full of references to water that have echoes of baptism:

the purification that is turned into wedding wine (Jn 2)

new birth (Jn 3)

the water that never ceases to refresh (Jn 4)

the water that cures blindness (Jn 9)

Elsewhere we find baptism portrayed as:

burial and resurrection (Rom 6)

the washing of our conscience (1 Peter 1)

and so on.

Baptism as a gateway

Christian baptism marks the beginning of our belonging to the people of God called the Church. Some Christians baptise infants; Baptists speak of ‘believer’s baptism’ and reserve the rite to those who make a profession of faith for themselves. Since some other Christian traditions (particularly the Orthodox) say that their baptism is also a believer’s baptism, it might be better for us to speak of ‘conversion baptism’ (George Beasley-Murray’s suggestion) or ‘the baptism of confessing disciples’ (Paul Fiddes’ suggestion).

What we ought to be clear about is that in baptism there is more than the candidate’s confession faith. There is also the covenant to be joined to Christ with those who share this faith that Jesus is Lord. More even than this, there is the faithfulness of God who meets us in the water and pours out the Spirit upon us.

Cold water, warm oil

The ancient tradition of the church was that baptism occurred in ‘cold running water’ (just like the Holy Brook!). It was supposed to take your breath away and to remind you that you were close to death and dependent upon God for the breath of life which is the Spirit.

The ancient practice was to clothe the candidate in white (Latin: candidus) as a sign of their being forgiven and to anoint them (or ‘seal’) them with oil. Baptism is often referred to as the ‘seal of the Spirit’. Contemporary baptismal rites often include this anointing; Roman Catholics are extremely clear about this.

Membership and the table

Baptism is entry to the full membership and ministry of the Church. The Holy Communion at the table was traditionally reserved to the baptised; others were not admitted. For this reason the observances at the table were referred to as the Holy Mysteries.

Baptists and baptism

Baptists have often suggested that they have the true way of baptising. Yet we have missed so many of the references. Other churches have heard what we have said about the necessary link between confessed faith and baptism and are taking it on board. As they do, they have much to teach us.

Further Thinking

Some Christian traditions offer those already baptised ways of recalling their baptism and reaffirming the promises that were made. What do you think?

Do you think that baptism is just about lots of water? What about clothing people in white or anointing them with oil?

Should we baptise without linking baptism to the table and to the ministry that arises from the priesthood of all believers?

Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, Reading. RG1 3BE   Tel: 0118 957 2197