In February of 2020, we started a series called Frame of Reference. We suspended the series in March 2020 and turned our attention to a more urgent and current matter – the pandemic. It is a little over a year and we are still struggling with the pandemic. However, with more vaccinations in circulation, conditions seem to be improving. Thus, we thought to return to our series and continue the discussion. In today’s discussion, we are focusing on Baptism.
Here is our working definition of baptism – A baptism is an external act that symbolizes the inward experience of coming to and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Based on this definition, we can say that the purpose of baptism is to give public and visual testimony of our commitment to Christ. This act is the first step of discipleship (Acts 8:26-39).
The Greek word for baptism is “baptidzo” which literally means to “dip" or to “immerse”. The symbolism of baptism is that, just as Christ died and was buried, so the baptized person is submerged (physically or symbolically) underwater. And just as Christ rose again from the grave, so the baptized person rises again from beneath the water. Under the water is the person’s old life. Out of the water is the believer’s new, fresh, and purposeful life.
Even though baptism means to “dip" or to “immerse”, denominations practice different forms of baptism. Denominations observe practical and theological variations of baptism rituals. These variations sometimes bring about a heated debate in the church. One of the most common debates in the church is infant baptism. Infant baptism is an early second and third century teaching, which stated that baptism washed away sin. This teaching meant that if you died without being baptized then you died with your sins unforgiven and thus went to Hell. With the high infant mortality rate in the early centuries, the concept of baptizing infants as soon as possible came into vogue. Since it was (is) unethical to “dip" or to “immerse” the infant's head underwater, the idea of sprinkling took hold. This idea was the early church’s frame of reference and what points to the fourth element of Mr. Wesley’s Quadrilateral – reason.
Many liturgical churches give the impression that baptism is essential for salvation. On the other hand, others do not emphasize it at all. Some churches, like the United Methodist Church, believe in infant baptism. We view this Sacrament not as evidence of salvation, but rather as a commitment by the child’s family and the Body of Christ to bring up the child in the fear of the Lord. Infant baptism is like a dedication of the child until she or he can personally profess faith. Other denominations, however, only baptize those who are old enough to make a profession of faith of their own volition.
We often wonder why some are so fixated on, absorbed in, and consumed by the forms of baptism? Does it matter how and where baptisms should take place? Does it matter whether baptism is done by pouring, sprinkling, or by full immersion? For many, it matters because of their frame of reference, which might be grounded in their theology or practical reality. The pressing practical reality for us as a nation is the pandemic. But we cannot and should not dismiss the theological and spiritual reality that is sometimes missing from our discourse. It is not an either-or, it is both and. We must live out our faith, support our communities, our leaders, and each other. We should respect the traditions of others as a practical matter of life. Our practical reality now is the negative projection of the pandemic on our Asian brothers and sisters. Our hearts should break when we hear of how they are being targeted since the pandemic. They should not have to walk the street looking over their shoulders. Pray for them. Pick up the phone and call them today. Check on them. Offer them your encouragement and pledge your support. Together, let us renounce this sin of divisiveness. The above is our baptismal vow. We must live into these realities because that is what differentiates us from non-Christians. While we are not minimizing one of our two Sacraments, we are calling attention to a dire need to respect the frame of reference of others and live up to the standards of practicing Christians.
In our next edition, we will discuss politics from the pulpit.
Blessings to you!
Charles
