I wrote my church report for 2008 today. It was pretty cool to look and think back over the year and reflect on where we are versus where we were. It’s even better to think about where we’re going.
If you’d like to read my report, you can download the PDF here.
We are looking at the biblical teaching of water baptism. So far we have established:
However, there is a teaching about baptism that contradicts what we have already seen. It is a well-known teaching, so prevalent, in fact, that the question comes up every time I teach at Hope Ministries. It is a teaching that I have discussed with many people over the years, and one that is hard to convince people who believe it otherwise. This teaching is that a person must be baptized in order to have salvation.
While there are many churches and denominations that hold this to be true, probably the most well-known is the Catholic Church. And its teachings on this are very clear. The following quotes come from the official Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition). The bolding is all mine for emphasis.
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word.” (p. 312)
The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude [bliss, happiness]… (p. 320)
By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin. (p. 321)
Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism. (p. 324)
There are several footnotes to the above quotes, but they are all from other Catholic documents, not from the Bible. However, there are references to the Scriptures throughout this section of the Catechism. Since the Bible is where we go to center our study, here are the passages most often used to support this teaching (all quotes are from the NET Bible unless otherwise noted).
Do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4
Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27
When the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4-6
Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one 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.” Acts 2:38
The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you– not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience– through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 3:21 (New American Standard)
Let’s take these one at a time.
1. We have already seen in the first two passages (Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12) Paul’s teaching that water baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The person being baptized uses public water baptism to identify themselves with Christ and his church and committing to the new life offered by Christ’s salvation. Since this symbolism requires faith in Christ first, these passages do not support baptism as a means of salvation.
2. The answer to Galatians 3:27 (and many other misunderstood Bible teachings) comes from the context immediately surrounding the verse. Paul’s discussion in this chapter centers on the question, “Does salvation come through keeping the law or through faith?” His response is unashamedly “by faith.” In fact, in the previous verse he wrote, “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.”
Notice also that he refers to being “baptized into Christ”, not “into water.” Upon faith in Christ, a person is added to the body of Christ, the church. He is “immersed” or “plunged” into new association with Christ and his people. Since this is the only reference to baptism in the whole letter, and since the context is about salvation through faith in Christ, not water baptism, this verse does not support baptism as a means of salvation.
3. In Titus 3:4-6 we find a similar instance to Galatians 3:27. In this letter we find no reference to baptism at all – into water or into Christ. The phrase “washing of the new birth” obviously refers to salvation, but it has no reference to water baptism.
Throughout the Scriptures salvation is referred to as a washing of sin, something that water – even water blessed by a person – cannot do. This is fact according to the writer of Hebrews: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).
If baptism in water can wash away sins and give salvation, then traditional Christianity has major problems, including (but not limited to):
Since the rest of the Bible teaches salvation is available only through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and baptism is not even mentioned here, this passage does not support baptism as a means of salvation.
4. Another verse commonly used to support this teaching is in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:5. Once again, a look at the immediate context and the historical context makes the answer plain.
In this account, Jesus, an Old Testament Jew, was talking to Nicodemus, another Old Testament Jews, using Old Testament Jewish references and terminology. Jewish understanding did not (and still does not) allow for a suffering Messiah or a combination Jew-Gentile church. In Jewish teaching, the kingdom of God will be the Messiah’s literal reign on Earth, delivering the Jews from all outside government and oppression. It will be a time of complete peace under God’s headship.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus, he wondered if it was possible that Jesus was the Messiah and if the kingdom would be commencing soon. Jesus answered the (unasked) question by stating that entrance into the kingdom would be based on spiritual, not national or ethnic, criteria. This is why Nicodemus, not understanding, asked about being born – physically – again. His idea of the kingdom was purely physical.
Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets used both wind (translated “spirit” here) and water to describe God’s Spirit. By using both, Jesus was emphasizing the spiritual nature of the kingdom, rather than just the physical (which it will also be). Jesus’ follow-up statement in verse 6 compares physical birth to spiritual birth: “What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit” and emphasizes that entrance into the kingdom will be by spiritual birth.
That part of the conversation concludes with Jesus making reference to his crucifixion, “so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:15), making the case again that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Since this discussion is primarily about Jews, not Christians, and since baptism was not mentioned, this passage does not support baptism as a means of salvation.
The last three passages will take a little more time to explain, and this post is already long, so we’ll push those off to Part 4.
For those of you following the “Baptism” series, I’m sorry for not getting Part 3 posted yesterday. I had it done and ready to post, then I lost the whole thing. So I’m working on re-writing it. Sorry for the problem. I’ll get it up as soon as possible.
On the up-side, Part 4 is just about ready to go – as long as nothing happens to it!
Daniel
Not everybody likes Rick Warren – I get that. Not everybody that believes the same way I believe likes Rick Warren – that’s fine. There are even some areas where I don’t particularly agree with Rick Warren – no problem.
But yesterday, I was extremely proud of Rick Warren (not that he cares what I think), and I was proud to serve the same God that Rick serves.
If you didn’t get a chance to hear the prayer that Rick offered at the beginning of the inauguration ceremony yesterday, I’ve included the transcript here. Obviously, it’s all over the internet, and you can find it anywhere. (But I’m glad you’re reading it here!) I hope you are as proud of Rick and his public prayer offering as I am. (I have included the video of his prayer below if you’d rather watch/hear it than read it.)
Almighty God, our Father:
Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.
It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.
History is your story.
The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.
We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.
Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.
Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.
When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.
When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.
When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.
And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.
May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.
And may we never forget that one day, all nations–and all people–will stand accountable before you.
We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, ‘Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Here are some things that caught my attention during the various speeches of the inauguration:
“peaceful transition of power” – Have to love the process of transitioning government. Some people on this planet will never experience a new government that does not involve a military coup or assassination.
“the ballot over the bullet” – This was just a great turn of phrase on the same subject.
“the one who changed my life” – I loved his personal testimony of life change, and addressing our Savior in different languages. That’s how inclusiveness should be done.
“our collective failure to make hard choices” – The victim mentality is an easy card to play to get people on your side. He didn’t give us that choice. Everyone is partly to blame.
“not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America, they will be met” – We didn’t get into this mess overnight, and we won’t get out overnight. If we want any sort of life change, we’d better be in it for the long haul.
“worn out dogmas” – I wonder which ones he means.
“set aside childish things” – The only phrase I recognized as coming from Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:11)
“pursue their full measure of happiness” – Who gets to determine what my full measure of happiness is. And what happens if I don’t achieve it.
“pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again rebuilding …” – This is the hard part of the vision challenge. Everyone has to do their part.
“there are some who question the scale of our ambitions” – Man, I really hope he can pull off what he has laid out in his vision for America. It’s a sweet vision.
“America is a friend to each nation…who seeks peace” – That last phrase needs to be remembered. Befriending a bully only makes you his slave.
“our common humanity will show itself” – That’s actually what I’m afraid of. The last time the “common humanity” showed itself, we proved to be so corrupt and violent that God sent a flood to destroy all living things (Genesis 6:5-13)
“a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves” – I really think this is important to him. Whether he is a Christ-follower or not is for God to decide. But if he can help America think outside of our own interests, he is pushing a godly agenda (Philippians 2:1-4). Even if it won’t ultimately save us, living God’s way is still better than not.
This passion of his is shown in a video he published leading up to Martin Luther King Day, in which he encouraged Americans – especially those who were off of work and school for the holiday – to serve someone else. Even if you don’t agree with everything he says, you can’t look past his passion to serve and help those around us.
