The issue of water baptism is one that has led most Christians into a great controversy. At the same time, water baptism is one of the most practiced sacraments by most Christians in light of Matthew 28:19(NIV): “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
This course on water baptism is extremely important in helping us answer the most important question ever asked on water baptism and being saved: “ Is being baptized in water the same as being born again or saved?”
In answering this question, its equally important to first know the human-father credited with its origin of intent. Otherwise, it is extremely possible to confuse its intended purpose, even to the extent of confusing it to being born again or saved.
WHO STARTED THE MINISTRY OF WATER BAPTISM?
According to Pastor MaC Alfreddy, “Its extremely important to know the one credited with the origin of intent as ignorance of origin is ignorance of true purpose.” Because “actions are motivated by intentions and intentions are often motivated by identity.” Therefore, its extremely important that we start with who started water baptism. Meanwhile, in studying about BAPTISM, the Bible in the New Testament speaks of several uses of the term ‘baptism’ which include the following:
✔ The baptism of the Hebrew people into Moses and the Sea.
1 Corinthians 10:2 (KJV) - And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
✔ The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus “…shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt. 3:11–12).
“…you will be baptized and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit, not long from now” Acts 1:5(Amp).
✔ The Baptism of believers into the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:13- For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
✔ The Baptism for the dead
“If the dead are not raised, why are men being baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:29)?
”Patristic Evidence: Tertullian believed that Paul referred to a custom of vicarious baptism (Res., 48c; Adv. Marc., 5.10). There is evidence that the early church knew such a practice. Epiphanius mentions a tradition that the custom obtained among the Cerinthians (Haer., 28 6). And Chrysostom states that it prevailed among the Marcionites.”
✔ The Baptism of Water
”For John baptized with water…” Acts 1:5(Amp)
“John answered, “I baptize with water, but among you stands the one you do not know. He is coming after me, but I am not good enough even to untie his sandals.” All this happened in Bethany on the east side of the River Jordan, where John was baptizing” John 1:26-50 GNBUK.
✔ The Baptism of Repentance
Acts 19:4 (NIV) - 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.”
From time in memorial till date, some scholars have presented the term ‘Baptism’ to sprinkling. On the other hand, the most overwhelming understanding and prominent use of the term ‘BAPTISM’ as in the New Testament refers to “immerse,” and not “to pour” or “to sprinkle.” Since, the word “baptize” is a loanword which was borrowed from the Greek term ‘baptizo’ which means to “dip or immerse completely.”
Meanwhile, water baptism as it exists today, was the ministry of John the Baptizer and it is credited to him as the human father or founder; It is actually what earned him the title “The Baptist” or rather “The Baptizer”
John was Jesus’ cousin who was widely known for baptizing people in the river Jordan and Jesus Himself was water-baptized by John at the beginning of his ministry.
PRESS HERE FOR MULTIPLE BIBLE VERSIONS OF LUKE 3:21
In the Acts of the Apostles 19:4(Berean Standard Bible), we find some remarkable utterances of Apostle Paul concerning John the Baptizer's ministry of water baptism.
Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
PRESS HERE FOR MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF ACTS 19:4
In other words, John the Baptizer’s ministry of water baptism was used as means by which people would show their repentance of sin, in acknowledfing their need for the long awaited Messiah(Savior). That's to say, John’s ministry of water baptism was unto repentance of sin and surety of faith in the long awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ. But have you ever wondered why the very Messiah, Jesus needed to be baptized in water by John the Baptizer? why was the same, long awaited and sinless Messiah, Jesus Christ also baptized in water? Why would Jesus do that when he has no sin to repent and surely, no need of forgiveness at all?!
We can only imagine how astonished John the Baptizer was when the sinless Jesus(2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22) sent to take away the sins of the world(John 1:29-32) requesting to be baptized by John.
The next day when John saw Jesus coming toward him, he said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes awaythe sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. (John 1:29-32, NKJV)
This must have been too amazing for John to grasp. No wonder, he tried to talk Jesus, the sinless lamb of God out of it, saying, “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14, NLT). Interestingly, The Lord Jesus doesn't leave John without any answers. Instead, he insisted to be baptized in water by John “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).
You might want to ask, “So, what did the Lord mean by fulfilling all righteousness?”
Well, first and foremost, its important that you know ‘RIGHTEOUSNESS’ is measured by God’s standard or will. In other words, righteousness is that nature of God that reveals his rightness and ability to always be right.
Psalms 119: 137 (Christian Standard Bible) -You are righteous, LORD, and your judgments are just.
Revelation 16: 7 (MSG) - I heard the Angel of Waters say, Righteous you are, and your judgments are righteous, The Is, The Was, The Holy.
Revelation 19:2 (KJV) - For true and righteous are his judgments.
“Righteousness is that nature of God that defines His character and His way of doing things. It is the rightness—His attribute of always being right. This attribute, or nature of God, when imparted to the human spirit at the new birth gives him right standing.”
So, in saying to “FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS ” Jesus meant doing God’s will and meeting God’s standard, especially fulfilling the prophecies of God's will. I love the way the Contemporary English Version renders Matthew 3:15:
Jesus answered, For now this is how it should be, because we must do all God wants us to do. Then John agreed.
In other words, John’s agreement with Jesus was within the context of “fulfilling all righteousness.” Therfeore, Christ was baptized in water by John the Baptizer to do all that God willed and revealed all throughout the scriptures. Below is an exceptional teaching on the priestly ministry by Pastor Joseph Prince.
“TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS” therefore, could only show the tip of the iceberg of what God the Father wanted them to do in fulfilling His will. Consequently, in the next Lesson, we explore on what it really meant “to fulfill all righteousness” and will also look at reasons for THE BAPTISM OF THE SINLESS JESUS BY JOHN THE BAPTIZER to help us get a better picture and understanding.