Baptism - a defining moment

Baptism - a defining moment

1. Baptism is harakiri (self immolation) to the world by making a covenant to resonate with the will of the Father, that none should perish but come to the saving knowledge of truth. (Rom. 6:3-5; 12:1,2; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9)

2. The Hebrew word for covenant is beryth, which means “to cut”. Baptism signifies cutting one’s umbilical connection with the world by being sealed with the Lamb’s blood. It is a defining moment for covenanting to live and die for Yeshua. (Gen. 15:9-18; Luke 9:62; Phil. 1:29)

3. No clergy baptized anyone in the NT. Anyone could take his/her baptism in the presence of two witnesses. Orthodox Jews consider even eye contact with women as sinful, hence women baptized each other. In Muslim countries it will be suicidal for men to baptize women. Jewish priests did not baptize anyone, men or women, they only offered sacrifices. (Deut. 19:15; Matt. 5:28)

4. The Greek word Baptiizo has wide latitude of meaning like immersion, ablution, sprinkling, washing, and dipping. Baptism signifies ritual bonding and a lifelong relationship with Yeshua. (Heb. 9:10,13,19; Rom. 8:17) 

5. John refused to baptize Yeshua but Yeshua said, “I must fulfill all righteousness.” When possible we should get baptized. Baptism is obedience to the will of the Father. (Matt. 3:15)

6. All baptisms in the NT took place in the name of Yeshua, recognizing Him as the great “I AM”. Getting baptized by dignitaries is of no value. All believing men and women as “royal priests” are commanded to baptize, hence any believer can baptize. God does not look at the amount of water or the position under water, but at the heart. The  real issue is obedience. (John 8:58; 1Cor. 1:12-17)

7. Everyone in the NT was baptized on the day they repented. As soon as a person, ‘confesses with his mouth that Yeshua is Lord and believes that God raised him from the dead, he shall be saved’ he should be baptized. There is no justification for delay, as baptism is a free gift and not to be earned after a long period of discipleship. 3000 were baptized on the Pentecost. Philip baptized the treasurer of Ethiopia within a few hours of discipling. Paul baptized the household of the Philippian Jailor in the middle of the night. (Acts 9:9; 8:38; 16:33; Rom. 10:9,13)

8. There are many doctrines of baptisms (Heb. 6:2): Dry baptism of two million Israelies in the Red sea (1Cor. 10:1,2); Bath of Purification (Mikve) which Jewish men after touching a corpse or women (naked) after childbirth or menses etc. (Lev. 15-17); Baptism of Repentance of John (Matt. 3:1,2); Baptism of Holy Spirit to be His empowered witnesses (John 1:33, Acts 1:8); Baptism of fire for suffering. (Matt. 3:11, 1Pet. 4:12)

9. Babies should not be baptized as the Scriptures enshrines “believers” baptism only, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”. Because everyone has sinned and come short of the glory of God, everyone has to confess their own sins, then the blood of the Lamb cleanses them from all sin. Babies and their godparents are incapable of confessing their sins. (Rom. 6:23; Mark 16:16; 1John 1:7-9)

10. Baptism does not mean joining a particular church but the Church Universal. It is sinful to get baptized for a job or marriage. They need not leave their cultural background and be called “Christian”. They are “Hindu/Muslim/Buddhist background believers”, joining the Body of Christ, just as Jews become “Messianic Jews”. (Rev. 5:10; 7:10)