THERE is but one form of baptism known to the New Testament where water is used, and that is immersion. All who baptisto—all who bury—agree in this.
There is, however, a class who believe that, to fulfil the injunctions of the Scriptures, the candidate should be buried three times, once in the name of the Father, once in the name of the Son, and once in the name of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:19, 20 is quoted to sustain this idea.
Why baptize at all? First, we are to repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), and acknowledge that the sin has brought death. One who has not repented of sin is not a fit subject for baptism. "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Repentance is not simply the sorrow of the world for the results of an evil course, but a turning away from that evil course, or from the transgression of the law—a clearing of self. 2 Cor. 7:10, 11.
When we confess, God forgives. 1 John 1:9. The old man of sin is crucified with Christ. Rom. 6:6. Self then is dead. Verse 11. "Ye are dead" (Col. 3:3), "crucified" (Gal. 2:20).
What, then, is the next step?—Deliverance from this dead body. Paul says, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Rom. 7:24, margin. How can I be delivered?—By burying the dead and rising with Christ's life, or putting on Christ.
In Rom. 6:3 it is stated that we are "baptized into Jesus Christ." In this act we put on Christ. Gal. 3:27. "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ." Now as to the number of times necessary to baptize. When Paul says we have "one baptism" (Eph. 4:5), he certainly does not refer to form at all, but to the one thing. The question then is, Have we one immersion, or three? Paul answers, "One" immersion. Why then baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? 1. We repent toward God. Acts 20:21. We sinned toward Him, or, as "sin is the transgression of the law," we transgress His law, and "the wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23.
2. We get forgiveness in Christ. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." 2 Cor. 5:19. We show our faith in His willingness to receive us in Christ, and meeting Him there, by being put into Christ in immersion.
3. In the name of the Holy Spirit. Christ says, "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him."7John 6:44. How are we, then, drawn, or what means does the Father use to draw us to Christ?—The Holy Ghost or Spirit. John 14:26; 16:13, etc. Its office, to convince of sin. John 16:8, margin. "He will guide you." Verse 13.
But we receive that Spirit in Christ. Rom. 8:1, 2, 9. In fact, being put into the Son, brings us into connection with both Father and Spirit. Gal. 4:6. We get all through His death and resurrection. "We are buried with Him." Rom. 6:4. This likeness to His death refers to being "planted together," Christ and I, not my being planted alone in the likeness of His death. "Buried with Him," "planted together," "buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him." Col. 2:12.
How often can I be buried with Him?—Just as many times as He was buried, no more. "He died unto sin once." Rom. 6:10. "Christ was once offered." Heb. 9:28, 26. We can be buried but once with Him. We can die but once with Him. (This is speaking of the one experience at baptism.) We can not die once with the Father, for He did not die. We can not be buried once with Him, for He was not buried. We can not die or be buried with the Holy Spirit, for it did not die, nor was it buried. Buried with Christ, we show our faith in all, and receive both Father and Spirit in Him. When Christ died, He was erect upon the cross, with arms outstretched, His head bowed upon His bosom. There was no plan for His burial at all. Death should precede burial. Burial should not be arranged for until after death. Any other course would be unnatural. The form of baptism, or burial, does not embrace His dying, but when buried, with arms folded across His breast, they laid Him away out of sight.
We are buried with Him. He rises up. We are raised up together with Him. Then with our old life—dead body of sin—buried forever in His grave, we live His life while here, and appear in glory when He comes. Col. 3:3, 4. CLARENCE SANTEE.