Baptism - Its Significance by J. W. Christian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1911

Baptism — Its Significance

By J. W. Christian

J. W. CHRISTIAN

When our Lord gave his commission authorizing the disciples to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19, 20), he instructed them to baptize all who would accept the message. The assurance is given: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 16:16. By a careful study of this passage it will be seen that hearing, believing, and accepting God’s Word are the necessary requisites to make one a candidate for the heaven-born rite of baptism.

On the day of Pentecost, when Peter, in the power of the Holy Spirit, moved the hearts of his hearers as he preached to them Jesus until they cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” the answer came in clear, definite tones: “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.” Acts 2:38. After further instructing the people, the account states: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41.

When the Lord Jesus met Saul on his way to Damascus, as he was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,” Saul inquired, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” This willingness on Saul’s part to be led and directed made it possible for the Lord to work for him. A vision was given to Ananias, which led this faithful disciple to the house in which Saul was staying. There he laid his hands on Saul, and said: “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”

When Saul had received the message brought to him, and his sight had been restored, the record states that he “arose, and was baptized.” Acts 9:18.

One of the most beautiful treatises on baptism is written by this same Saul (now Paul) in his letter to the brethren at Rome. “Know ye not,” he asks, “that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:3-11.

The great testing truth in the days of the early church was faith in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. Not only the Jewish nation, but all the world was proved upon this point. The Samaritans, at the mouth of the evangelist Philip, received the evidence of Jesus as the promised Christ, and were baptized. Acts 8:5, 16. The Ethiopian eunuch, at the special direction of Providence, heard and received the “glad tidings” formerly announced by angels to the humble shepherds; and upon his acceptance of Jesus as the promised Messiah, he received baptism at the hands of Philip.

While baptism, as a rite, does not absolve one from sin, nor serve as a prevention against sin, it does serve as an outward sign to the unbelieving of the inward work wrought on the human heart by the Holy Spirit; and the candidate thereby bears evidence of a good conscience toward God through faith in the Lord Jesus, and receives heaven’s approbation for his willing obedience to the Lord’s requirements.

We are often asked concerning the importance of rebaptism by those coming out of other churches where baptism by immersion is practised. While we have no arbitrary rule in the matter, the question is a vital one, and deserves careful consideration.

We quote from “Sketches From the Life of Paul,” by Mrs. E. G. White, pages 132, 133:—

“There is still another lesson for us in the experience of those Jewish converts. When they received baptism at the hands of John, they were holding serious errors; but with clearer light they gladly accepted Christ as their Redeemer, and with this advance step came a change in their obligations. As they received a purer faith, there was a corresponding change in their life and character. In token of this change, and as an acknowledgment of their faith in Christ, they were baptized—in the name of Jesus.

“Many a sincere follower of Christ has had a similar experience. A clearer understanding of God’s will places man in a new relation to him. New duties are revealed. Much which before appeared innocent or even praiseworthy is now seen to be sinful. The apostle Paul states that though he had, as he supposed, rendered obedience to the law of God, yet, when the commandment was urged upon his conscience by the Holy Spirit, ‘sin revived, and I died.’

“There are many at the present day who have unwillingly violated one of the principles of God’s law. When the

understanding is enlightened, and the claims of the fourth commandment are urged upon the conscience, they see themselves sinners in the sight of God. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law,’ and, ‘Whosoever shall . . . offend in one point, he is guilty of all.’ “The honest seeker after truth will not plead ignorance of the law as an excuse for transgression. Light was within his reach. God’s Word is plain, and Christ has bidden him search the Scriptures. He receives God’s law as holy, just, and good, and he repents of his transgression. By faith he pleads the atoning blood of Christ, and grasps the promise of pardon. His former baptism does not satisfy him now. He has seen himself a sinner, condemned by the law of God. He has experienced anew a death to sin, and he desires again to be buried with Christ in baptism, that he may rise to walk in newness of life. Such a course is in harmony with the example of Paul in baptizing the Jewish converts. That instance was recorded by the Holy Spirit as an instructive lesson for the church.”

Hastings, Neb.