There is much confusion and controversy in the minds of many Christians over the subject of baptism. Many people ask, “Is it necessary that I be baptized?” “Is baptism a part of my salvation?” “Should I be completely immersed?” “Should one be baptized as an infant or as an adult?” “In what or whose name should I be baptized?”
There is also much confusion as to what it means to be born again. Is being born again simply a confession of one’s faith in Jesus Christ, or do Jesus’ words stating that one must be born again in water and Spirit have a greater significance?
These questions will be answered in the light of Holy Scripture and the historical record of the early Christian church.
Baptism/ Old & New Testament
Baptism: (baptismos in Greek) means to immerse or dip, indicating complete immersion.
For centuries leading up to the time of Christ, the practice of water baptisms for ceremonial purifications was common among the Jews in their temple worship. Not only priests and other persons, but also clothing, utensils, and articles of furniture were ceremonially baptized, cleansed, or washed. (See Exodus 19:10-14, Leviticus 8:5-6, Mark 7:3-4, & Hebrews 9:9-10) This was especially so in the service of tebilah,* the baptism or bath necessary for all who wished to convert from paganism to Judaism. The terms, “washing” or “bath,” that refer to water baptism in the Old Testament, were later adapted as terms referring to water baptism in the New Testament. Just as water baptism was necessary for those who wished to convert from paganism to Judaism, so water baptism (the washing or bath) became the rite of admission for every convert into the first century church. (See Unger’s Bible Dictionary, “Baptism”)
At 1 Corinthians 6:11, the Apostle Paul makes reference to water baptism as the “washing.”
“11 Such were some of you; but you were washed (cleansed, your sins were washed away), but you were sanctified (purified, made holy), you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
The Apostle Paul once again makes reference to water baptism as the “washing” or “bath,” the rite of admission into the early church.
Ephesians 5:25-27 states: “25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (with the baptismal water by the word, washed by baptism and God’s word, with the bath in water through her confession of Him) 27 that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
In his letter to the Hebrews, the writer speaks of having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies bathed or washed (baptized) with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 states: “22 Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed (cleansed) with pure water (bathed in clean water).”
In a manner similar to the Jews, early Christians were converted from paganism to Christianity by the “washing” or “bath,” which was water baptism.
Four Baptisms
There are four baptisms mentioned in the New Testament.
1. John’s baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins:
At Mark 1:4 it states: “4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
John’s baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins was God’s way of preparing the Jewish people for the coming of the Christ, the foretold Messiah. Upon accepting Christ, they would once again be baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
2. The baptism of Holy Spirit and fire:
This was the baptism that John had prophesied the Christ (the promised Messiah) would baptize believers with.
At Matthew 3:11-12 we read John’s words: “11 As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
This baptism first occurred at the festival of Pentecost, when tongues of fire fell upon 120 believers and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
At Acts 2:1-4 it states: “1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving utterance.”*
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the 120 disciples marked the beginning of the first century church. According to John’s gospel, many of these disciples had already been baptized in water by Jesus, during His three and one half year ministry.
John 4:1-2 states: “1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He (Jesus) left Judea and departed again to Galilee.”
3. The baptism of Jesus by John:
This account of Jesus’ baptism is found at Luke 3:21-23: “21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while he was praying, heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.’ 23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age.”
This was a unique baptism, because Jesus had no sin and therefore had no need of repentance. At His baptism, Jesus was anointed with water and Holy Spirit as the foretold Christ or Messiah. It was from this point on that Jesus commenced His ministry.
At Luke 4:1 &14 it states: “1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness. 14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.” (Refer also to John 4:29-34)
4. The baptism in water and Holy Spirit at the festival of Pentecost:
It was at this festival (Pentecost), that all of those who had received the word were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins, and received the free gift of the Holy Spirit. That day about 3,000 souls were added to the church, those who had received the word and were baptized.
We can read this account at Acts 2:37-42: “37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ 38 Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.’ 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!’ 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
This was the baptism that Jesus was referring to when He told Nicodemus, “5 Truly truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.” (John 3:5 &7)
Let us see how both scriptural and historical evidence support this conclusion.
Water Baptism
In the early Christian church, water baptism was referred to as the bath, the washing of regeneration, the water of rebirth, or the washing away of sins (remission of sins). These various renderings indicated that the new convert was born again or regenerated with water, ceremonially washing away his or her sins. This enabled one to have a clean conscience before God. By being baptized into Christ, the believer was now one with Christ or part of His body. Water baptism was also viewed as an act that was necessary for salvation and admission into the early church, requiring complete immersion.
Baptism in Holy Spirit
In the early Christian church, the baptism of the Holy Spirit was referred to as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the renewing (renewal) of the Holy Spirit, being filled with the Holy Spirit, receiving the Holy Spirit, and the laying on of hands. These various renderings indicated that the new convert received a newness of life, being regenerated or reborn by being filled with the Holy Spirit. By receiving the Holy Spirit in this manner, the Holy Spirit dwelt in each and every believer.
Steps to Salvation
With the beginning of the Christian church at the festival of Pentecost, the people took these necessary steps in order to be saved:
- Repent and turn around from their sins.
- Call on the name of the Lord (confession of faith in Christ).
- Be baptized (immersed) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins.
- Receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is important to note that at the festival of Pentecost, these steps were spontaneous and occurred in immediate succession of one another. By receiving the word and being baptized, about 3,000 souls were saved and added to the church. As we shall see, these steps would be a reoccurring theme in the conversion of every early believer and throughout the history of the early church. (Refer to Acts 2:37-41 previously cited)
Repentance & Faith
Repentance and faith were essential aspects of every early Christian’s conversion and personal salvation. Repentance was necessary, to show that someone had turned around from their dead works and their former way of life. Faith was essential, by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God had truly raised Him from the dead.
Jesus said to His disciples at Luke 24:46-47: “46 . . .Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
The Apostle Paul stated at Acts 26:20: “But (I) made known openly first of all to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance.”
The Apostle Paul at Acts 20:21 stated: “But constantly and earnestly I bore testimony both to Jews and Greeks, urging them to turn in repentance to God and to have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Apostle Paul at Romans 10:8-9 proclaimed: “8 But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is the word of faith which we preach); 9 because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The Apostle Paul at Ephesians 2:8 wrote: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.”
Born Again/ Baptism in Water & Spirit
The scriptures make it clear, that to be born again, one must believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
1 John 5:1 states: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God (is a born again child of God), and everyone who loves the parent (the Father, Him that begat) loves the child (the One born of Him, His offspring, Him that is also begotten of Him) .”
All early Christian converts were baptized in water and received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in compliance with Jesus’ words at John 3:5 &7. This signified that a convert was now a disciple of Jesus Christ, having been born again in water and Spirit .
“5 Truly truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.” (John 3:5 &7)
The Apostle Peter at Acts 2:38 exhorted believers to: “. . . Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
By being baptized with water into Christ, the believer was now one with Christ or part of His body. An early convert figuratively drank of the Spirit, by receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
At 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 the Apostle Paul stated: “12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
Water Baptism, One In Christ
By being water baptized into Christ, the convert became clothed with Christ, or one in Christ.
The Apostle Paul stated at Galatians 3:27-28: “27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (put on Christ). 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle Paul at Romans 8:9 stated that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you (the believer), your spirits are made alive because of righteousness.
“9. . . Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him (is not a Christian at all). 10 But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness.”
All early Christians, who were baptized into Christ, became one with Christ or part of His body (the church). Correspondingly, Christ now dwelt in the believer. (See also John 15:4, John 17:22-23, Galatians 2:20, & 2 Corinthians 13:5) (See also Topic: The Indwelling of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit In the Believer)
The Outpouring or Baptism of the Holy Spirit
In a manner similar to water baptism, all early converts were baptized in Holy Spirit and clothed with the Spirit when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. In this way, the Holy Spirit also dwelt in the believer.
At Acts 1:4-5, Jesus told His disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
“4 And while staying with them He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He Said, ‘You heard from me, 5 for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'”
At Luke 24:49, Jesus said He would send the promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit), so that His followers would be clothed with power from on high.
“And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
The Apostle Peter at the festival of Pentecost stated: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He (Christ) has poured out this which you see and hear.” (Acts 2:33)
Having received the promise from the Father, Christ poured out the Holy Spirit on believers in the early church. It was in Jesus’ name, that God sent the promise of the Holy Spirit.
At John 14:26, Jesus said: “But the Helper (the Comforter, the Advocate), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name. . .”
Early Christians were saved by undergoing the washing of regeneration (water baptism) and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (baptism of the Holy Spirit), which God poured out on them through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:5-6 states: “5 He saved us, not by deeds done in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration (the laver of regeneration, the bathing of a new birth, through the water of rebirth, by washing away our sins,), and renewal of Holy Spirit (renewing power of the Holy Spirit), 6 which He (God) poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
The Apostle Paul declared that the believer was, “in the Spirit,” if indeed the Holy Spirit dwelt in them.
Romans 8:9 states: “9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) dwells in you. . . ” (See also John 14:26 & 1 Corinthians 6:19)
The Apostle Paul also stated at 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
By being baptized with both water and Holy Spirit, a new convert was born again!
The Apostle Paul’s Conversion/ Baptism In Water & Holy Spirit
The conversion of the infamous Saul of Tarsus, who was later to become the Apostle Paul, exemplifies this. Considered by many to be the greatest conversion in the history of Christianity, Saul of Tarsus was baptized with both water and Holy Spirit. Ananias, a devout disciple of the Lord, was given direct instructions by Jesus Christ (Himself) to lay his hands on Saul, enabling him to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias then proceeded to baptize Saul in water, washing away his sins and having him call on the name of the Lord.
Acts 9:17-18 states: “17 Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized.”
Acts 22:12-16 sheds further light on this event: “12 A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’” (See also Romans 10:13)
In a manner similar to every early convert, Saul was born again by being baptized in Holy Spirit and water. Note, the two baptisms and the order in which they happened: 1. Baptism in Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 2. Baptism in water, with Saul calling on the name of the Lord and washing away his sins!
Our Salvation/ Baptism in Water & Spirit
The Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus states that early Christians were saved by undergoing water baptism (the water of rebirth) and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (the renewal of the Holy Spirit), which God poured out on them through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:5-6 states: “4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not by deeds done in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration (the laver of regeneration, the bath of a new birth, through the water of rebirth, by washing away our sins), and renewal of Holy Spirit (renewing power of the Holy Spirit), 6 which He (God) poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
The above passage confirms that early Christians were saved, by being born again in water and Spirit!
The Divine Commission, Water Baptism & Salvation
In the divine commission to preach the gospel, Jesus Christ commanded Christians to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. He who believes and has been baptized shall be saved.
At Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded his followers to: “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (world).”
At Mark 16:15-16, Jesus commissioned His followers: “15 And He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.’”
The above verses make it clear, that to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and be saved, one had to believe and be baptized in water.
According to Holy Scripture and the historic record, early Christians were initially baptized in the name of the “Lord Jesus Christ.” It wasn’t until the latter part of the first century and early second century that it became customary to baptize in the name of the “Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”* A logical explanation for this is that Matthew, under inspiration, did not write his gospel until 60 CE and some estimate as late as 90 CE. This would explain why early Christians continued to baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, until the end of the first century, and into the early part of the second century. Early believers may not have been aware of the fact that Jesus had spoken the words, later recorded in Matthew’s gospel: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19-20
Some Christians still debate whether it is appropriate to baptize converts in the name of “the Lord Jesus Christ,” or in the name of the “Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” While either would be acceptable to God, a simple way of resolving this issue would be to baptize in both the name of the “Lord Jesus Christ” and in the name of the “Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism & Noah’s Ark/ A Prophetic Parallel
The Apostle Peter corresponded the flood of Noah’s day and the ark, which carried eight souls safely through the water, to our water baptism. Peter wrote that it is baptism that now saves us as believers, not the washing of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a clean conscience.
At 1 Peter 3:20-21, the Apostle Peter wrote that Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison: “20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism (baptism the counterpart of that, the water of baptism) now saves you – not the removal (washing) of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good (clean) conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (See also Hebrews 10:22, previously cited)
The Bible also tells us that Noah and his family, along with the animals, entered into the ark and: “the LORD shut (or closed) the door behind him.” (Genesis 7:16)
In this way, the salvation of both Noah and his family was sealed, when the LORD shut the door of the ark. Thus, in a symbolic manner, this ancient scenario pictures our being sealed with the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul states at Ephesians 1:13: “13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
Just as the ark carried eight persons safely through the water, so water baptism now saves us as believers. Just as God shut the door of the ark and sealed it, so we also – having believed, are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. In this way we are saved, by being born again in both water and Spirit!
Baptism & the Red Sea/ A Prophetic Parallel
The Apostle Paul paralleled our baptism in water and Holy Spirit to the Israelites passing through the Red Sea, under the cloud, and being baptized into Moses, who pictured Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:1-2 states: “1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
The Apostle Paul refers to all of those in the church as being baptized into Christ, just as the Israelites were all baptized into Moses.
Galatians 2:27 states: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
The scriptures also tell us that Moses prefigured or pictured Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:22-23 states: “22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God shall raise up from you a prophet like me from your brethren; to Him you shall give heed in everything He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul that does not heed that prophet (Christ) shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'”
At Exodus 14:16 God told Moses: “16 As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.”
In a symbolic manner, Moses, with his staff and outstretched arms over the sea, pictured our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. In a similar manner, the sons of Israel passing through the Red Sea pictured our water baptism. Correspondingly, their passing under the cloud pictured our baptism in Holy Spirit. By being baptized into Christ (pictured by Moses), and in the water (the Red Sea), and with the Holy Spirit (under the cloud), we are saved; just as the sons of Israel were saved!
The many verses that we have already considered clearly indicate that water baptism and baptism in Holy Spirit have real saving power. For anyone contemplating water baptism, or for someone who might resist the notion that baptism has any saving power, ask yourself these thought provoking questions. “What would have happened to someone in the past, if they had failed to cross the the Red Sea under the cloud?” “What would have happened to someone in the past, if they had not gotten into the ark before God shut the door?” Both of these ancient scenarios pictured our baptism in water and Holy Spirit, God’s provision of salvation.
Water Baptism/ the Death, Burial, & Resurrection of Jesus Christ
All early Christians were completely immersed in water, following Jesus’ example. Recall, that is what baptism (baptismos) in Greek means, to immerse or dip. By being baptized in water and fully immersed, Jesus left us a model to follow closely.
At 1 Peter 2:21, the Apostle Peter stated: “21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example (a model) for you to follow (closely) in His (foot) steps.” (Refer also to 1 Corinthians 11:1)
Water baptism (or full immersion) was also portrayed as being baptized into Jesus’ death. A convert would die to their former way of life, when being lowered into the water, just as Jesus was lowered or buried into the ground. The convert would then be raised as a new creature in Christ, when coming up out of the water, just as Jesus was raised or resurrected from the dead. The convert was henceforth born again to a newness of life, dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle Paul at Romans 6:1-8 states: “1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed (acquitted) from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.”
All early Christians were baptized into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection! Water baptism pictured the gospel; the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) To deny the necessity and saving power of water baptism would in essence be denying the gospel! By undergoing baptism, a convert crucified their old self or sin nature and died to their former way of life. By being lowered into the water, a convert buried their body of sin, so that it might be done away with. By coming up out of the water, a convert was raised to a newness of life and acquitted of their sins. This is what it means to be baptized into Christ; having been baptized into His death, we are born again as a new creature in Christ. Now that we have died with Christ, we shall also live with Him.
Water Baptism/ A Seal of Spiritual Circumcision In Christ
To an early convert, baptism was a seal of spiritual circumcision in Christ; a circumcision not made by human hands, but the putting off of the flesh, through the washing with water. The Apostle Paul once again draws a correlation between the gospel and water baptism at Colossians 2:11-13. A convert, by being buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Him through faith, was dead to their former transgressions and uncircumcised flesh. In this way water baptism was a form of spiritual circumcision for a believer, and an indication that they were sealed in Christ. They were henceforth made alive together with Christ, by having all of their sins forgiven.
Colossians 2:11-13 states: “11 In Him (Christ) also you were circumcised with a (spiritual) circumcision made without hands, by putting (stripping) off the body of flesh (the carnal nature with its passions and lusts) in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with Him in baptism (immersion), in which, (when, wherein) you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions (sins).”
The Apostle Paul refers to anyone who is in Christ as a new creature; old things have passed away, behold all things are new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has passed away (old things have passed away), behold, the new has come (all things are new).”
At Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul states: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. . .”
By being immersed in water, just as Christ was lowered into the ground, the early believer crucified his or her old sin nature. By coming up out of the water, just as Christ was raised from the dead, the early believer became a new creature in Christ. In the same way, when we are baptized, we are regenerated or born again and become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Christ now lives in the believer!
Early Christian Writings
Note what early Christians had to say about baptism and being born again, and how their writings confirm what has already been revealed from Holy Scripture.
The early Christian, Justin Martyr (100-165 CE), wrote: “Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water; for indeed Christ also said, ‘Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ And for this [baptism] we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training; in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father … And in the name of Jesus Christ… and in the name of the Holy Ghost… does he who has been enlightened receive his washing.”
Justin also wrote: “The ‘Constitutions of the Holy Apostles’ also refer to John 3:5. There, the one who refuses to be baptized is to be condemned as an unbeliever, partially on the basis of what Jesus told Nicodemus…. He that, out of contempt, will not be baptized, shall be condemned as an unbeliever, and shall be reproached as ungrateful and foolish. For the Lord says: ‘Except a man be baptized of water and of the Spirit, he shall by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ And again: ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.'”
The early Christian, Ignatius (35-107 CE), wrote: “Wherefore also, you appear to me to live not after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us, in order that, by believing in His death, you may by baptism be made partakers of His resurrection.”
The early Christian, Irenaeus (130-202 CE), described how the healing of Naaman prefigured Christian baptism:
“And dipped himself,” says [the Scripture], “seven times in Jordan.” It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but [it served] as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord, from our old transgressions; being spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, even as the Lord has declared: “Except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
The early Christian, Hermas (100-150), wrote:
“And I said to him, I should like to continue my questions. Speak on, said he. And I said, I heard, sir, some teachers maintain that there is no other repentance than that which takes place, when we descended into the water and received remission of our former sins. He said to me, That was sound doctrine which you heard; for that is really the case.
Before a man bears the name of the Son of God he is dead; but when he receives the seal he lays aside his deadness, and obtains life. The seal, then, is the water: they descend into the water dead, and they arise alive.”
The early Christian, Cyprian (200 CE), wrote: “But what a thing it is, to assert and contend that they who are not born in the Church can be the sons of God! For the blessed apostle sets forth and proves that baptism is that wherein the old man dies and the new man is born, saying, ‘He saved us by the washing of regeneration.’ But if regeneration is in the washing, that is, in baptism, how can heresy, which is not the spouse of Christ, generate sons to God by Christ?”
The early Christian, Theophilus of Antioch (181 CE), wrote: “Moreover, those things which were created from the waters were blessed by God, so that this might also be a sign that men would at a future time receive repentance and remission of sins through water and the bath of regeneration all who proceed to the truth and are born again and receive a blessing from God.”
Chrysostom (347-407 CE), on the epistle to the Romans wrote:
“Baptism is a cross, and ‘our old self was crucified with him,’ for we were ‘united with him in a death like his’ and again, ‘we were buried therefore with him by baptism unto death.’…For as Christ died on the cross, so do we in baptism, not as the flesh but as to sin. Behold two deaths. He died as to the flesh. In our case, the old self was buried and the new self arose, made conformable to the likeness of his death….For baptism is nothing else than the putting to death of the baptized and his rising again.”
Theodoret of Cyr (393-458 CE), wrote:
“We are buried with him in baptism, and we rise with him, so it is not possible for us to enjoy the gift of baptism again…Our former self was crucified with him in baptism by receiving the type of death…This baptism of ours…is one only, for the reason that it involves the type of the saving passion and resurrection and prefigures for us the resurrection to come.”
Photius (310-393 CE), wrote:
“Christ was crucified once for all, and we have been crucified together with him through baptism.”
Four Aspects of the Early Christian Conversion
As was previously stated, there were four steps or aspects in the conversion of every early Christian:
- All converts repented from their dead works.
- All converts professed faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, calling on His name.
- All converts were baptized or immersed in water.
- All converts were baptized in Holy Spirit and received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, also referred to as the “laying on of hands.
These four steps served as a foundation of faith in the life of every early believer. The writer of Hebrews refers to these steps as elementary teaching or doctrine. These steps were something that each convert would have experienced or been familiar with, along with the resurrection of the dead and the eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1-2 confirms this: “1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching (doctrine) about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.”
Other translations render verse 2 as: “the doctrine of baptism and the laying on of hands,” “the teaching of immersions and the laying on of hands,” “the teaching of ceremonial washings and the laying on of hands.”
Repentance, confession of faith, water baptism, and the laying on of hands were all considered elementary doctrine in the early church. If someone were to deny or reject this doctrine, they would in essence be denying and rejecting the very foundation and theology of the first century church.
Accounts of Early Conversions
All first century Christians repented of their sins, confessed Christ as their Savior, were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and received the Holy Spirit. As was mentioned earlier, these actions occurred in immediate succession of one another and constituted a first century conversion. There was no set order as to which of these came first. Some were baptized in water first and then received the Holy Spirit. Others received the Holy Spirit first and immediately followed with water baptism. Consider the following accounts found in the book of Acts:
Acts 8:14-17 states: “14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 19:1-7 states: “1 It happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ And they said to him, ‘No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’ 3 And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ And they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ 4 Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were in all about twelve men.”
Acts 10:44-48 states: “44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 ‘Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’ 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.”
Acts 9:17-18 states: “17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized.”
Acts 22:12-16 sheds further light on this event: “12 A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’”
Acts 2:37-38 states: “37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ 38 Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
The above scriptural accounts confirm that there was no set order as to which came first in the early church, baptism in water or being filled with Holy Spirit. It is also interesting to note that in the many conversions found above from the book of Acts, water baptism occurred spontaneously and accompanied one’s accepting Christ and being saved. Consider the jailer who asked Paul and Silas:
“‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.’ The jailer was immediately baptized, he and all his household.” (Refer to Acts 16:30-33)
The baptism of the jailer and his household took place immediately after hearing the word of the Lord and their confession of faith. These events all occurred after midnight, in the wee hours of the morning! Just prior to this, the Apostle Paul and Silas had been severely beaten and were put in stocks. An earthquake, caused by an angel, had freed them from their bondage. (Rd. Acts 16:22-29) This account emphasizes how important water baptism was in the early church. The Apostle Paul and Silas followed through with the baptism of the jailer and his family, under the most brutal circumstances, and in the wee hours of the morning.
Upon hearing the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, the Samaritans were baptized.
Acts 8:12 states: “But when they believed Phillip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.”
Upon hearing the gospel and believing, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, together with all his household and many Corinthians were baptized.
Acts 18:8 states: “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”
The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch was also spontaneous, with water baptism immediately following the eunuch’s confession of faith, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Acts 8:35-38 states: “35 And Phillip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture (Isaiah 53:7) he preached Jesus to him. 36 And as they went along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ 37 And Phillip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Phillip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
The confession of faith in Jesus Christ and believing that He was the Son of God was an essential part of every early believer’s salvation. This confession of faith was immediately followed by water baptism. What is also evident from these many conversion accounts, is that the baptism with water and the baptism with Holy Spirit often occurred in succession of one another and followed no specific order as to which came first. If a convert had only been baptized in water and had not yet received the Holy Spirit, Christians would follow up by laying their hands on them. Conversely, if a convert had already received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and had not been baptized in water, Christians would immediately follow up by baptizing them. In this way, all early believers were baptized in water and Holy Spirit or born again!
This is not to suggest or assert that a convert did not, or could not, receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit while being baptized in water. It is conceivable that experiencing both baptisms, simultaneously, did occur in the early church and still occurs today. What these many accounts of early Christian conversions reveal is that in most instances, the baptism of water and of Holy Spirit occurred in succession of one another and were distinct baptisms, not following any specific order as to which came first.
It is not uncommon in today’s world to encounter believers who feel that they have received the Holy Spirit and yet have never followed through with water baptism. Conversely, it is not uncommon to encounter someone who has been baptized in water and yet feels that they have never received the Holy Spirit. What should be learned from these many scriptural accounts, is that we (as believers) should experience both baptisms, just as the early Christians did. This is what Jesus meant when He said, unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter or see the kingdom of God. (See John 3:3-5) Not to be baptized in both water and Spirit was unacceptable in the early Christian church.
The Communion & Water Baptism
Early Christian historical records confirm how important water baptism was, not only as a sacrament involving one’s salvation, but also as a rite of initiation into the early church. For this reason, an unbaptized person was not allowed to partake of the wine and bread (the Eucharist), the Lord’s evening meal.
The Didache, an early Christian document states:
“No one is to eat or drink of your Eucharist but those who have been baptized in the Name of the Lord; for the Lord’s own saying applies here, ‘Give not that which is holy unto dogs.'”
Justin Martyr (100-165 CE) also wrote concerning the Eucharist, that it only be dispensed to baptized believers:
“And this food by us is called the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but he who believes the truth of our doctrines; and who has been washed in the laver for forgiveness of sins, and to regeneration; and who so lives, as Christ has directed.”
These early Christian writings reveal the emphasis that the early Christians placed on being baptized, before partaking of the communion. Certainly, no one off the street, or for that matter an unbeliever, would have been allowed to partake of the sacraments (the wine & bread), which is so common in churches today. To partake of the Eucharist, one had to believe in the true doctrine. They would have also been washed (baptized) in the water, for forgiveness of sins, and regenerated or born again. It was also expected that those partaking be living their lives as Christ directed.
Infant Baptism
Jesus commissioned His Apostles to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them. An infant is incapable of becoming a disciple, which means a follower of Jesus Christ and being taught as such. An infant is also incapable of believing in Christ and confessing Christ. Most infant baptisms involve a child, two years of age or under. The book of Acts reveals that both men and women were baptized.
Acts 8:12 states: “12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.”
Jesus Himself was thirty years of age, when He was baptized.
Luke 3:21 & 23 states: “21 Now when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also had been baptized. . . 23 Jesus, when He began His ministry, was about thirty years of age. . . ”
Jesus commissioned us to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them.
Jesus said at Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. . .”.
Jesus said at Mark 16:16: “16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”
The Apostle Paul at Romans 10:9 states: “9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Once again, an infant is incapable of responding in this manner.
Some have maintained that in mentioning whole households as being baptized, this would have included infants.
The Apostle Paul wrote at 1 Corinthians 1:16: “16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.” (Refer also to Acts 16:33 & Acts 18:8)
It is misleading to assume that in the above scriptural passage, the term “household” would have included infants. Households formed the basic cells of the early church. A wealthy household could include not only the immediate family, but often slaves, freedmen, hired workers, and even business partners. In the case of the first Gentile convert, Cornelius, both he and his household heard the word and received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Certainly, the actions described here in regard to these new converts, would not have been the kind of actions attributed to an infant. The text tells us that the converts included both friends and relatives of Cornelius. They had been invited to Cornelius’ home so that they could meet the Apostle Peter.
Acts 10:24 &44-47 states: “24 On the following day he (Peter) entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. . . 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 ‘Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’”
As in the many cases that we have already examined, only a person of the age of discernment would be capable of repenting, putting faith in Christ, calling on the name of the Lord, receiving the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophesying, and undergoing water baptism. (Refer also to Acts 21:8-9 & Acts 19:5-6, previously cited)
In referencing the festival of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we find at Acts 2:16-18, the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29.
Acts 2:16-18 states: “16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 Even on my bond slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.’”
Regarding the fulfillment of this prophecy, found at Joel 2:28-29, that there is no mention of infants receiving the Holy Spirit, prophesying, seeing visions, and dreaming dreams, but rather men and women, sons and daughters, both young and old. Thus, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, three thousand souls were baptized and added to the church, devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship. (Refer to Acts 2:41-42 previously cited)
As we have already established, the early Christians baptized with full water immersion. It is also important to realize the risk entailed by baptizing or fully immersing an infant. This act of full water immersion could potentially drown an infant, who would be incapable of preventing water from entering the throat and nasal cavities. It was for this reason that baptism of infants was not practiced until the 3rd century and was performed with the sprinkling of water on the infant’s head. Both adult and infant baptisms were practiced until the sixth century, after which, only infant baptism was practiced. This was a radical departure from the teaching and practices of the first century church. The practice of infant baptism and the sprinkling of water on the head was not part of the original gospel.
Summary
Washed by the Water & the Blood
The argument is often made that Jesus’s shed blood is all we need, and it alone has the power to save us and wash away our sins. It is true that Jesus shed his lifeblood for all of humanity as atonement for our sins. Christ’s shed blood has the power to save us and wash away our sins.
John the Baptist, when he saw Jesus, said, “29 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
The Apostle John stated at 1 John 2:2: “and He Himself is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (Refer also to Romans 5:6-9)
Hebrews 9:22 states: “22 And according to the law, one may also say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
Jesus Himself stated at Matthew 20:28: “28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life (His soul) (as) a ransom for many.” (Refer also to 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Revelation 1:5 states: “. . .to Him (Christ) who loved us, and washed (freed, loosed) us from our sins in His own blood.”
The saints are seen as washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:14 states: “14 I said to him, ‘My lord, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’”
How is a Christian to understand the saving power of Christ’s blood in washing away our sins, and the saving power of water baptism, which also washes our sins and gives us a regeneration or rebirth?
The answer is really quite simple. As was stated in the above scriptural texts, Jesus died and shed his blood for everyone, including sinners. Yet Jesus made it very clear that, “. . . broad and spacious would be the road to destruction with many on it, whereas narrow and cramped would be the road to life with a few finding it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus also said at Luke 13:23-24: “23 And someone said to Him, ‘Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?’ And He (Jesus) said to them, ’24 Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.'”
The Apostle Peter wrote: “and if it is with difficulty that the righteous (man) is saved, what is to become of the godless man and sinner?” (1 Peter 4:18)
Jesus did His part, by shedding His blood on the cross for all humanity, yet very few would be saved!
In order to fully benefit from Christ’s shed blood and be saved, we need to do our part! Just as the early Christians, we need to repent, put faith in Christ, be baptized in water, and receive the Holy Spirit. Baptism was a public display before God and men of one’s faith in Jesus Christ, and identified the convert as a disciple of Christ and part of His church. In this way, a convert fully benefited from Christ’s ransom sacrifice and shed blood, thereby obtaining salvation. By this act of faith, the believer was reborn and regenerated as a new creature in Christ, having washed away their sins with both the water and the blood, and having received the free gift of the Holy Spirit.
Three Witness Bearers
The Apostle John confirms this at 1 John 5:5-8: “5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”
As Christians we need all three witness bearers:
- The Spirit – the Holy Spirit
- The water – water baptism
- The blood – Jesus’s shed blood
Which of these three can any true believer be without?
The following historical references and documents shed further light on the beliefs and teachings of the early Christian church, regarding baptism and being born again. Hopefully you will find that this information supports and confirms the truth that has already been revealed from God’s Word. Due to the confusion and controversy that exists over such subjects as baptism and being born again, the reader will find the following information to be both invaluable and at variance with what is commonly taught as theological doctrine and truth in most contemporary Christian churches and institutions.
Historical References
Page 532 History of Christianity by Johnathon Hill
Baptism: a ceremonial washing with water, signifying that the person’s sins have been forgiven. Baptism is the historic initiation ceremony of Christianity, and is traditionally regarded as one of the sacraments.
Page 36 After Jesus by Reader’s Digest
Baptism: One of the most dramatic rituals observed by the earliest Christians was baptism. Its aim was to wash away all uncleanliness resulting from sin, thus preparing the initiate for his or her new life. In its most basic form, the ceremony called for a confession of faith by the candidate, followed by complete immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ.
The First Apology by Justin Martyr Published in the middle of the second century, the Christian writer Justin Martyr (c. AD 100-165) gives us a valuable insight as to how people were admitted into the church of Rome. Baptism: “As many are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water; for indeed Christ also said, ‘Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”’
Page 29 The History of Christianity by Timothy Dowley Baptism was originally an occasion for witnessing to faith in Christ on conversion, and was the entrance ceremony to the church, identifying the person with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Only those who had been baptized took part in the communion service.
Page 116 & 117 The History of Christianity by Tim Dowley
At the birth of the church, converts were baptized with little or no delay. Although at first people were often baptized in the name of Christ alone, it soon became standard to be baptized in the name of the Trinity. A convert who was martyred before baptism was regarded as experiencing a better “baptism in blood.”
The First Apology by Justin Martyr The second century apologist, Justin Martyr (100-165 CE) wrote:
“And this food is called the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined.”
Page 49 After Jesus by Reader’s Digest
Households formed the basic cells of the expanding church. A wealthy one included not only immediate family but often slaves, freedmen, hired workers, and even business partners, all of whom joined in the worship or baptism. Thus Paul writes, “I did baptize also the household of Stephanas.” In Acts we read that “Lydia…was baptized, with her household.”
Page 30 The History of Christianity by Tim Dowley
Baptism was normally by immersion either in the river or in the bath-house of a large house. The person was normally immersed three times, in response to the three questions about belief in the three persons of the Trinity. From the early second century, baptism by pouring of water was allowed in cases of emergency or sickness. From the third century, the baptismal service also included the laying-on-of-hands by the chief minister of the church (the bishop), with a prayer that the candidate would receive the Holy Spirit.
Baptism seems normally to have taken place on Sundays. At first, baptism was probably only administered to adults. The first definite mention of child-baptism comes early in the third century, and infant baptism was beginning to be wide spread by the mid third century. Both adult and infant baptisms were practiced until the sixth century, after which, normally, only infant baptism was practiced.
As early as the end of the second century some people had come to believe that baptism had a magical effect. Tertullian mentions prayer to “sanctify” the water, and from then on it was widely believed that baptism automatically washed away sins. From this period, too, there arose the practice of exorcising the candidate before baptism, often accompanied with ceremonial anointing with oil.
Page 84 Christianity Through the Centuries by Earle Cairnes
The Lord’s Supper and baptism were the two sacraments that the early church used because they had been instituted by Christ. Immersion seems to have been widely practiced in the first century; but, according to the Didache, baptism could be performed by pouring water over the head of the one being baptized if no stream of running water or large amount of water were available. Only those who were baptized could partake of the Communion.
Page 124 The History of Christianity by Tim Dowley
Several of these practices were being misused at Corinth, and Paul objected to their abuse and misunderstanding. Baptism should be in the name of Jesus, not in the name of Christian leaders, as if these apostolic figures were leaders of some cult. “In the name of Jesus” meant that the new converts passed under his authority, and confessed him as Lord.
Page 33 & 47 History of Christianity by Jonathan Hill
LIFE IN THE CHURCH – The Christian Rites
Right from the start, Christians had a set of rituals that distinguished them from other Jews. The two most important were inherited directly from the life of Jesus. The first was baptism. The origins of baptism are rather obscure, having their roots in some Jewish practices, but Jesus had begun his career by being baptized by John the Baptist, a slightly earlier preacher from Galilee who had made a big impact by calling upon people to repent of their sins.
As a sign of this repentance, he would baptize them, that is, ritually washing them in the River Jordan. According to John 3:22, after leaving John, Jesus Himself had baptized people. Thus, the Christians did the same thing. According to the book of Acts, Peter followed up his speech on the day of Pentecost with a call to “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.”
Through baptism, it was thought believers came to share the one Holy Spirit and form a single, united community. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul wrote, “For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into a single body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” According to Matthew 28:19, believers would be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism therefore marked the believer’s faith in God, in Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit which guided the church.
The book of Acts already speaks of entire households being baptized, but the first explicit mention of children and infants being baptized is in the writing of the Latin Christian author Tertullian in AD 206. The reasoning, presumably, was that baptism represented initiation into the Christian community: it allowed a person to be included. Thus it would be unreasonable to exclude children of those who were included themselves.
Nevertheless, there was also a trend in the opposite direction, to delay baptism. This was because the powers of the ceremony were taken increasingly seriously. Paul had written in Romans 6:3, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Thus, it was believed that baptism washed away the new believer’s sins, and he was expected to live correctly thereafter. The church took a very dim view of those who sinned after they had been baptized.
Page 59 & 60 The Early Christian Church by J.G. Davies
Thus if the Church is considered to be the Messianic community, baptism is the means of initiation into it and is analogous with the rite of circumcision, whereby a proselyte became a member of the Israel of God and an heir to the promises. “Ye,” wrote Paul to the Colossians, “were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism.” Christians are therefore those who have been “sealed”-seal being a Jewish term for circumcision.
If the Church is regarded as the temple of the divine presence, then baptism is the means of bringing the individual into immediate contact with the Holy Spirit. “Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” Consequently Christians are those who “were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost.” When the Church is viewed as the Body of Christ, baptism is the means of incorporating the individual into that living organism: “in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body.” The believer thereby sacramentally dies and rises with Christ: “all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with Him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.” This death involves liberation from the forces of evil and it is followed by co-resurrection with Christ, for God has “raised us up in him, and made us to sit with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.”
As the Bride of Christ, the Church is the mother of believers and so baptism is the means of adopting and regenerating the individual. “For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ;” hence “except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” So too the candidate is enlightened or recreated; the divine image, defaced by sin, is renewed; the remission of sin is conveyed as the catechumen enters into the eschatological crisis of rebirth and regeneration.
*Tevilah (tebilah): is the Biblical act requiring the complete immersion of oneself (the body) in a natural living water source for ritual cleansing. In ancient times a stream or river was used, but in modern times a specially constructed pool called a “mikveh” is normally used. Today, in Judaism, the terms are used somewhat interchangeable, with mikveh emerging as the more familiar term.
*This baptism of fire has also been connected with the judgment and destruction of the wicked or ungodly at the second coming of Christ.
At Matthew 13:30 we read Jesus’ words: “30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, first gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Refer also to Matthew 7:19 & 2 Peter 3:7)
*The first reference to baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is recorded in the Didache, an early Christian document, written by some estimates as early as 50 CE, and by other estimates, sometime during the second century. Justin Martyr (100-165 CE), an early Christian theologian and apologist, also mentions the baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in his writings.
*Print in bright red intended for clarification and/or various renderings from other translations..