The Word Baptism Defined
The first New Testament sacrament is holy baptism. The Greek word βαπτίζω (baptizo) means “to baptize”: “… be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38). It also means to insert or to immerse into water: “… that he may dip1 the tip of his finger in water” (Luke 16:24). Since the insertion into water occurs for purification purposes, it is also translated as “to wash.” “And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not” (Mark 7:4). Consequently, the words βαπτισμός βάπτισμα (baptismos, baptisma) mean “baptism”: “Of the doctrine of baptisms …” (Heb 6:2). It also means “washing”: “… the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables” (Mark 7:4).
The word “baptism” has various connotations. It first of all can refer to doctrine. “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; … knowing only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). The ancients referred to this as the baptism of light.
Secondly, it refers to heavy suffering, to be overwhelmed with suffering, and to be immersed in suffering as one would be immersed into water. “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50). This is referred to as the baptism of blood.
Thirdly, it refers to the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whereby the soul is purified and is made to burn with spiritual zeal. “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matt 3:11). This is referred to as the baptism of fire.
Fourthly, it refers to being showered upon, to be immersed in water, to be sprinkled with water, and thus to being washed. As such, it is used 1) in a civil sense for the cleansing of the body and of other things; 2) for ceremonial washings in the Old Testament: “… and divers washings (baptisms)” (Heb 9:10); and 3) in reference to the New Testament’s first sacrament which we shall now consider. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5).
In our treatment of this subject matter, we shall follow the same order which we have pursued in the previous chapter. We shall consider: 1) the Author, 2) the external sign, 3) the matter signified, 4) the relationship between the sign and the matter signified, 5) the purpose, and 6) the subject—who are to be baptized.
The Author of Baptism
The Author of holy baptism is God, that is, Christ, the Bridegroom of His church. This is evident in the following passages: “… but He that sent me to baptize with water” (John 1:33); “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?” (Matt 21:25). The Lord Jesus concludes from this, and convinces them by their own faith, that the baptism of John was from God. Christ gave the following command to His disciples when He was about to ascend to heaven: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt 28:19).
The instrumental causes, the administrators of baptism, are men commissioned by God to baptize. The first of these was John; he was therefore called the Baptist and his baptism, the baptism of John (cf. Matt 3:1; Matt 21:25). Afterwards Christ’s disciples baptized upon His command. “… that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus Himself baptized not, but His disciples)” (John 4:1-2). After His resurrection He commanded His disciples (and thus all ministers) to baptize, giving them the promise that He would be with them until the end of the world (Matt 28:19-20).
Question: Is there an essential difference between the baptism of John and the baptism of Christ, or are they the same?
Answer: Socinians, Anabaptists, as well as Papists maintain—albeit with different objectives—that they differ essentially. We maintain that there is some difference in the circumstances: 1) John baptized as the forerunner of Christ and sealed the forgiveness of sins by Christ, who had already come and was engaged in His atoning work, but had not yet finished all things. 2) With John’s baptism there was no outpouring of extraordinary gifts. 3) It was less clear in nature. We do maintain, however, that they are of one and the same essence.
This is first of all evident because all that belongs to the essence of a sacrament is equally true for the baptisms of both John and Christ. 1) They both have one and the same Author (John 1:33); 2) they have the same sign, that is, water (Matt 3:11); 3) they signify the same matter: Christ’s blood unto the forgiveness of sins (Acts 19:4); 4) the relationship between the sign and the matter signified is the same: the washing away of filth—in the one of the body, and in the other of the soul; 5) they have the same purpose: incorporation into the church, the sealing of the forgiveness of sins (Acts 19:4), and conversion (Matt 3:11). All these matters are identical in the baptism of Christ, which will subsequently be demonstrated in this chapter. It is consequently one and the same baptism.