Table of Contents
Basic #3: Forerunner of Things to Come
The doctrine of baptisms, or instructions about washings refer to Old Testament rites, which were shadows of things to come. These various ceremonial washings pointed to New Testament baptism.
Hebrews 9:8-12The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Read the entire chapter for fuller context).
As previously stated, rituals and ceremonial washings make no one clean. None of these connect us to the Blood of Jesus and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Our identification with Jesus Christ alone makes us clean, not the traditions of men.
But even the New Testament has more than one baptism, and yet they are interconnected. All of them relate to cleansing or washing. We’ll examine them, but before we do, we’ll begin with John’s baptism.
Baptism of Repentance (Baptism of John [the Baptist])
Mark 1:4-5 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
This term for baptism (BAPTISMAN, Strong’s Number 908) is a technical New Testament term, which began with John’s baptism. This is distinctly associated with him as the forerunner to Jesus Christ.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Furthermore, John’s baptism is not the same as the baptism of Jesus, or the baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was a water baptism, which was linked to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Without repentance, there is no washing. Again, all the principles of the Doctrine of Christ are connected.
Previously, it was mentioned that to be baptized in the Name of Jesus was to identify with Him. Even though, Jesus came to the earth as a man or in the form of a Servant, He identified with us by being baptized by John. Of course, as the Son of man, He identified with humanity, so He could carry the Cross for our sins.
Matthew 3:13-17 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.
To be clear: Jesus’ baptism was not about His repentance, for He had nothing for which to repent. Moreover, Jesus being baptized by John confirmed Jesus was the One of Whom he testified. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John also spoke of other baptisms which Jesus would perform: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Matthew 3:11).
Of course, John’s baptism ended with the baptism for the disciples of Jesus.
Acts 19:1-5 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Baptism Into Jesus Christ
Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
There has been some misunderstanding about water baptism in particular in relation to salvation. It is important to study numerous scriptures pertaining to any topic in order to get a fuller picture. Likewise, with baptism this is very true. If you only read one or two verses pertaining to baptism, you could create or believe something about it, which is not exactly biblical, or biblically accurate.
Case in point: some believe you have to be water baptized in order to be saved, based on this one Scripture: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16).
Since Jesus instituted water baptism, it is important. However, failure to be baptized will not condemn a person or prevent them from entering into heaven. At the same time, if Jesus desires it to be done, why would someone avoid it?
Many have heard this question, but it bears repeating for those who may not have: if water baptism is a prerequisite to enter into Heaven, what about the penitent thief on the cross next to Jesus? Was he baptized before he died? What did Jesus say to him?
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.
Water baptism is a confession of faith in one sense, which means something had to happen internally first; otherwise, being immersed in water has no meaning. There is actually a prerequisite to the physical act. This is reveled by Philip’s interaction with the Ethiopian Eunuch.
Acts 8:35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 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. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Belief is one prerequisite. Is there another?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Again, we see how each element of the Doctrine of Christ is connected together. Without repentance, water baptism is meaningless. Repentance and faith toward God precede the physical act of water baptism. Furthermore, being baptized into Jesus is a spiritual act. If there is no spiritual connection with Him, dipping in water carries no significance.
Even in The Great Commission, we see the order: one must become a disciple of Jesus Christ, before being baptized. Question: are infants disciples? They are not exactly in the stage of life where they can make that decision. While this is a different topic, parents can relax in relation to their child who hasn’t come of age. God has them covered. Why else would we be encouraged to come to God as a young child?
An infant who is baptized is no better off than one who is not, in terms of the physical act. That being said, parental devotion to see to their child’s spiritual wellbeing definitely gives him or her a leg up. Many dedicate their children to the Lord, while raising them up to follow the Lord, so they will one day make that decision for themselves. To be clear, the heart behind infant baptism is awesome.
As to not get too lengthy, let’s address baptism being a spiritual act in greater detail, next round.
