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Baptism: United Methodist Beliefs
BAPTISM 1. Baptism is a sacred ceremony in which persons: are sprinkled with water have water poured over them or are immersed in water The ceremony is accompanied by words that a. indicate a new status for the person (usually becoming a member of a group) and b. point out new directions, goals, and purposes for that person 2. Christianity isn’t the only religion that has observed baptism Sacred waters are common in other religions: Ganges Euphrates Nile Jordan 3. The word baptism appears about 100 times in the New Testament The Greek word is $"BJT (bapto) meaning: to dip, to dye, to perish, to be overwhelmed, to be carried along, to bathe In the Old Testament, baptism is not part of the law or ritual for God’s people. 4. There are themes in the Old Testament that contribute to the New Testament practices of baptism A. Notions of clean and unclean (Lv 10:8-11) B. Circumcision (Gn 17:11) C. The exodus (Ex 14) D. The flood (Gn 6-9) E. Repentance (Jl 2:1,12-17) F. Naming (Is 43:1) G. Covenant (Dt 26:16-19) H. Anointing (I Sm 16) Summary so far: While there is no baptism in the Old Testament, there are a number of important stories, practices, and principles that define and direct how people can have a healthy and beneficial relationship with God. Baptism, as practiced in the New Testament and in the church, will fulfill these vital stories, practices, and principles.
5. References to Baptism in the New Testament A. John the Baptist (Mt 3) Baptism involved repentance, confession of sin, preparation for Christ, a start of a new life that would bear ‘good’ fruit B. Jesus was baptized (Mt 3:13-17) His baptism was an anointing, an inauguration of his ministry C. Jesus talked about baptism as a form of suffering with him (Mk 10:38) D. Jesus’ disciples did some baptizing (Jn 4:1-2) E. Jesus taught that his disciples were to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them (Mt 28:19) E. After Jesus’ resurrection, his followers baptized thousands 1) individual believers were baptized (Acts 9:18) 2) entire households were baptized (Acts 16:33; 18:8) F. In the book of Acts, baptism involved several things 1) it involved believing that Jesus is the means of salvation (Acts 8:12) 2) it involved repentance, washing away sin (Acts 2:38) 3) it involved entrance into the fellowship of other Christians (Acts 2:41) 4) it was not sufficient in itself, it required God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, the receiving of a ‘fire’ in one’s life (Acts 8:16; 10:47) G. In Paul’s writings, baptism has several dimensions 1) it symbolized the death of the ‘old self’ (Rm 6:3) 2) it gives persons a new identity, role model: Jesus (Rm 6:4) 3) it unites all persons who follow Jesus (I Cor 12:13) 4) it means that we belong to Christ (Gal 3.27) 5) it means that the burial and resurrection of Jesus become symbolically enacted in our own lives in many ways (Col 2:12) 6. In Church History, baptism continued to be understood and experienced in many ways But most interpretations of baptism fall into one of two categories: A) Baptism as Sacrament B) Baptism as Dedication 7. Theological understandings of SACRAMENT and DEDICATION A) a SACRAMENT is an offering God gives to us B) a DEDICATION is an offering we give to God Parents can dedicate their children to God, and those children may or may not decide, as they grow up, to continue that dedication. Individuals, when reaching an age of ‘accountability’ may dedicate their lives to God. When baptism is a sacrament, since it represents a gift of God, it can be given to any individual, at any time, even during infancy. 8. Basic United Methodist beliefs about baptism A) Baptism is a sacrament and should ALWAYS be followed by times of individual commitment, personal decision, and conversion. If persons who are baptized do not experience conversion, then their baptism is rendered ineffective. Baptism is an ordinary means of salvation, neither sufficient in itself for salvation, nor necessary. But we are instructed by Christ to administer it, and people have experienced baptism as a powerful and effective means of salvation. B) Baptism is the gift of the church to the person being baptized. C) Baptism has multiple meanings: a program for conversion, the gifts of the spirit, washing away sin, entering a new life of freedom, nurture, growth, healing, becoming part of a holy community, anointing, death of the old self, preparation for a new relationship with God, receiving the Holy Spirit. In short, it means everything that water means, and it means everything that circumcision means in the Old Testament, and it means everything that covenant means in the Old Testament. D) We do not rebaptize. Baptism symbolizes God’s gift of being included in a holy community (the church) and being set on a course for a life that is fulfilling, purposeful, and joyful. If we become disconnected from the church, or if we lose the path of righteousness, it is OUR fault, not God’s. Re-baptism implies that God has failed. Not true. We have failed. The appropriate response, in such a case, is for us to REDEDICATE our lives to God, not for us to become rebaptized. E) The power of a person’s baptism does not come in him or her beiing able to recall the event. Instead, the power of baptism comes as the CHURCH ASSURES EACH OF ITS MEMBERS that they are included, loved, important, and noticed. It is not necessary for me to recall my own baptism. It is critical, however, that the people in my church assure me that I am included, beloved, and forgiven, and that how I live my life is critically important to God. F) Baptism can be done by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Any baptism in any church is valid in the United Methodist Church. Baptisms in United Methodist churches are to be administered by properly ordained or licensed pastors. G) Each baptized person is considered a partner in the ministry of Christ to the world. When baptized, we are taught to be servants of Christ in our families, at work, in our communities, as citizens, during our recreation and leisure time, in our use of money and property, in our attitudes toward other persons, in our support of the church, and in our participation in covenant groups with other Christians. |
