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Apostle Hama
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WHAT IS BAPTISM?
The word Baptism is derived from a Greek word (baptizo) /Baptisma
which means total immersion in water. It also means completely soaked in
water. A ritual of washing / a rite of admission.
History of Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament and doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ also
called “Christening” in relation to infant baptism. In the New Testament
the key man when we talk about Baptism is John the Baptist. Baptism
started in the days of John and was done by the Jordan River, because
there was plenty of water there. It is important to note that Baptism
was a common tradition of the Jewish people. All foreigners who desired
to change their identity permanently to Jewish or change their tribe to
be one of the Jewish people went through a ritual of baptism.
Baptism was also associated with punishment. Hence the statement
“baptism by fire”. To some other when one is enduring the pain of life
that also can be called “Baptism”
Baptism in Christianity
There are some churches who believe that for one to be a member of
their church they need to go through Baptism. Already there is an error
in that belief because; a person is baptized to become a member of the
body of Christ and not a church. Baptism marks the beginning of
Christian Life.
Types of baptism
1.The baptism of John.
Readings: Matthew 3:7, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3, Acts 13:24 and acts 19:4.
This kind of baptism by John was done for repentance. If we read
Matthew 3:7 (But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming
to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to
flee from the wrath to come?), we find that this type of Baptism was a
temporary move, because baptism in water alone is not complete. By the
river Jordan people were baptized in the name of John and it was for
repentance.
2.Baptism of Noah
I Peter 3:20-21 to those who were disobedient long ago when God
waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In
it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, who
disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while
the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were
saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism which now saves
you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good
conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
This type of baptism is done unto salvation. We find the floods
destroyed a generation of evil works. But with the same water God saved
eight people. Noah and his family. We then can say the water baptized
Noah and His family and they were saved.
3.Baptism of Moses
Reading: Exodus 14
This is the baptism unto deliverance. The Israelites crossed the red
sea into their promised land. That was baptism from the land of bondage
into freedom.
4.The baptism of Joshua
Reading: Joshua 1: 1-3 (After the death of Moses the servant of the
Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant
is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the
Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised
Moses.)
This is the baptism unto Victory. Joshua had to finish off the
Journey of Moses and help the Israelites take over their promised land.
5.The baptism of Naaman
Reading: 2 Kings 5 verses 1-19
This is the Baptism unto healing.
6.Baptism of Jesus
Reading: Matthew 20: 23 (Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink
from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.
These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my
Father.")
The pains of suffering of a Christian martyr are also called baptism.
This shows that Christian life is not a smooth road; there is also pain
and affliction. Jesus referred to his crucifixion as baptism, and
replies to James or John on their mother “s request accordingly. Also
called the Baptism of Blood.
7.Baptism of the crucifixion
Reading Romans 6: 4 (We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the
dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life)
Colossians 2:11 (In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off
of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men
but with the circumcision done by Christ,)
This type of baptism is associated with the newness of life.
8.Baptism of the Name of Jesus.
Reading: Acts 19:4 (Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of
repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him,
that is, in Jesus.)
Acts 18: 25 (He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he
spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he
knew only the baptism of John)
This is the baptism that sets a mark and differentiates expression of repentance and faith
In whose Name should people be baptized?
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both
men and women. (Acts 8:12)
When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the
Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them;
they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
(Acts 8:15-16)
"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They
have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay
with them for a few days. (Acts 10:47-48)
Baptism of Infants
There are no direct references of infant baptism in the New
Testament, but the following verses mention the word household.
Household are all the members of the family thus including children.
Acts 16: 15 (When she and the members of her household were baptized,
she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the
Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.)
Acts 16:33 (At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed
their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.)
Acts 18:8 (Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household
believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed
and were baptized.)
1 Cor 1:16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)
I Cor 7: 14 is more related to believers infants baptism. (For the
unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the
unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband.
Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.)
Galatians 3 specifies membership into Christ as aligned to faith; thus marginalizing infant baptism
Who is worthy to baptize
A man who assumes the baptism of Christ
A man who has gone through suffering and labored for you.
A man in pain will baptize you better than a man who is passing by.
What must a person expect after Baptism.
1.Genuine repentance ( John’s Baptism)
2.
3.Salvation ( Noah’s Baptism)
4.Deliverance ( Mosaic Move)
5.Victory / Cross over (Joshua Baptism)
6.Healing ( Naaman’s Baptism)
7.Blessings
8.Ultimate change of Life
N.B. A minister of the word has got to go through Jesus’ baptism.
Through baptism in the Name of Jesus, one will receive the newness of life and gain a spiritual rank.
Repentance
