Scooter
Member
- Feb 21, 2024
- 66
- 34
Well, it's a very generic answer. Ok, the word "baptize" comes from the Greek word "baptizo" and it means "to immerse". The NT indicates there are two types of baptisms. The most common is water baptism where a person is immersed in water. No where in scripture is anyone ever baptized by sprinkling. Many people incorrectly believe that water baptism is a requirement for salvation. It is not. Others believe that somehow water baptism washes away sin. It does not (Jesus had no sin, but was baptized. More about this in a moment). The thief on the cross was never baptized, yet Jesus told the man he would be with Christ in Paradise that very day. The Apostle Paul while correcting wrong beliefs that being baptized by certain people carried more significance than being baptized by others, said he was glad he did not baptize any of them (1 Cor.1:15). Just a few verses later Paul said he was not appointed to baptize, but to preach the Gospel (1 Cor.1:17). So it is clear that water baptism has zero affect on salvation. Jesus was baptized at the beginning of His ministry. Why? His baptism was a foreshadowing of His death, burial and resurrection. That was the reason He came.I probably would answer an “outward manifestation of an inward change.” And I think that’s a pretty mainstream answer
So why are people baptized today? First of all, baptism is only for believers. If a person is not a follower of Christ, his baptism is useless. The evidence for this is found in the 8th chapter of the book of Acts. The Ethiopian Eunuch, after hearing the Gospel, asked if he could be baptized when he and Philip came upon some water. Philip's answer in verse 37 makes it clear that to be baptized, one must first believe: Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Once a person is saved, they are then baptized as a public profession of their faith in Christ. They openly identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as payment for their sins. Jesus's baptism looked ahead to Calvary while our baptism looks back to Calvary.
Now, let's look at the second type of baptism taught in the NT. It is baptism into Christ. When a person is saved, God baptizes (immerses) that person into the body of Christ (Rom.6:3; Gal.3:27). At the same time the Holy Spirit is baptized (immersed) into the believer (1 Cor.6:19). Therefore, while water baptism is not necessary for salvation, baptism into Christ is. With this understanding of baptism, we see that if water baptism cannot save a living person, it has even less effect on a dead person.
BTW, the Unitarian minister you mentioned was correct. God does not send people to Hell. People who reject Jesus Christ as their personal Savior choose Hell for themselves. God is a gentleman and gives people what they desire...eternal separation form Him. God made a way for every person to avoid Hell, but He gives folks what they ask for.