No Swimming!

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

I had a very interesting conversation with my son this morning on the way home from the gym which sparked some thinking on my part. The question raised was, “Daddy, do I have to be baptized? Because I don’t see why I have to be baptized.” I’m not sure why this question came out, because baptism isn’t something that we’ve discussed yet, but the conversation that followed was very enlightening.

I began explaining first off that he didn’t have to be baptized, but that baptism was a choice. I explained that it’s an outward expression of an inward faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I told him about how, before Christ came, people were baptized in water to wash away their sins, but that now we have the blood of Christ that washes away our sins. I told him it’s a way of professing, in public, faith in Jesus; a way to show your church and family that you believe in God.

“But I don’t have to show them anything! I know what I believe. I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my sins, that He came back to life, and that He’s coming back again someday. Isn’t that all I need to believe? Did Jesus say I need to be baptized?” Of course by now I’m searching the files of my brain trying to find an answer to his questions. How do I explain baptism?

Jesus was baptized; we follow His example! (Matthew 3:15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.) Hmmm...sounds good, but on further thought, I can’t use that explanation. Jesus was living under law and tradition prior to His crucifixion. The only reason He got baptized was to fulfill all righteousness (even that which is implied by the washing away of sins through baptism). Why is it implied righteousness? Because the Bible clearly states blood is what cleanses sin and provides forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.) He wasn’t setting an example; He was ending the tradition! Everyone who was being baptized confessed their sins before going under the water, but the Bible doesn’t mention Jesus confessing sins. He just said it was something that He needed to do.

Back to the earlier question: did Jesus say I need to be baptized? The answer is a resounding no! He needed to get baptized, but you don’t. But now I’m questioning why the church still follows this tradition if Jesus already fulfilled and ended it. Then an epiphany, or so I thought. The Great Commission! Jesus did say to go out and baptize. You can see the circular discussion that we were having. Yes, you need to get baptized, no you don’t need to get baptized; yes, no, yes, no. All within the span of a 2 mile car ride.

Jesus did say to go out and baptize, but He gave three specific baptismal tools: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He didn’t say water! Immersion baptism was a symbol of the cleansing of sins, but it did nothing, and continues to do nothing for a soul’s eternal salvation. It’s a “Christian” tradition that imposes a sense of guilt and worry on the people who haven’t done it, or can’t do it, or are simply afraid of the water. Jesus specifically told His disciples to baptize with the Trinity. He was in essence telling them, “Forget all of this water stuff, you need to fully immerse the nations with Me.”

So that’s what I told my son. You don’t have to be baptized in water, you’ve been baptized in the Spirit.