How should baptism be performed?
Of course, by full immersion in water. This is how Jesus himself was baptized, this was done in the time of the apostles and for a long time after that; only later, after beginning massive mandatory baptizing of babies, it was switched to sprinkling with water, for convenience.
Baptism symbolizes the death of our old self.
Romans 6, 3-11:
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When a person dies, he is buried, his body is buried, hidden under the ground, if only a little bit of earth is poured over the head, it is not a burial. Similarly with baptism, our old self is buried under the water and we are all completely washed, not a little.
What words should be spoken?
Nowadays here is a huge misunderstanding and disagreement among those who consider themselves Christians.
In Paul's letter to the Jews we read:
Hebrews 6, 1-3:
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.
As we can see, the teaching about baptism is the very foundation, an elementary thing that seemed to Paul, to which he did not return in the letters. And we know that that elementary thing has been grossly distorted over time. Since we cannot rely on any traditions that have been found and developed over the centuries by following the religious teaching of people, rather than the teaching of God, we have to rely on the Word of God. In the Word of God, we read that baptism was commanded by Jesus Christ himself:
Mathew 28, 16-20:
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
From about the second century, as far as there are written sources, and up to the present day, these verses were read and baptized "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." And often the immersion in water took place three times. I have watched a few recordings from various religious communities in Lithuania, and saw that many people are immersed three times also. In the last century some believers got understanding that immersion should be done once and in name of Jesus Christ. I believe that it was the Holy Spirit who taught them, because Jesus promised that he would come as a Comforter who would teach all things, and the Spirit of Truth opened their eyes and they saw that in the days of the apostles people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and in the name of Jesus Christ only. We see this in the Acts of the Apostles:
Acts 2, 38:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8, 14-17:
Apaštalai Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10, 47-48:
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19, 1-6:
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 22, 14-16:
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
Paul also mentions this in his epistles.
Romans 6, 3:
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
1 Corinthians 1, 12-13:
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
The answer is no. Not because of Paul and not in the name of Paul, but in the name of Jesus Christ and in the name of Jesus Christ.
How about this formula then? Is it a formula?
Mathew 28, 19:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
Do we have to say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father (immersion) and in the name of the Son (immersion) and in the name of the Holy Spirit (immersion)"? I am sure, not. You do not have to die three times; one is enough. Similarly, you do not need to be immersed three times, one is enough. And we know that there is only one name by which we can be saved, the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 4, 10-12:
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
And we know that the Word of God tells us to do everything in the name of Jesus Christ:
Colossians 3, 17:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Therefore, the command of Jesus Christ does not at all contradict what the disciples did - baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Just the opposite - they followed the order precisely.
The apostle Paul speaks about baptism:
Collosians 2, 8-12:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
In Jesus Christ, the Son of Heavenly Father is all fullness. The Father and the Son are one. Therefore, if we baptize in the name of Jesus Christ, we also do it in the name of the Father and the Holy Spirit. It is not necessary, even impossible, to separate the Father from the Son. The apostles knew this. They baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by immersing a person once, full immersion. And we must do the same way.
Does baptism oblige you to go to a certain religious community?
No. It obliges you to follow Christ: to be guided by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Religious teaching often proclaims that we are baptized into the church. In a broad sense, yes - we become members of the body of Christ.
Yet, this does not mean that baptism forever binds us to one particular community. It is not physical commitment that keeps us in one or other community, but the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12, 13:
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
If you surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit, God will not forsake you. He is faithful and loves his children. Ask the Lord to guide you, to show you the people you need to be with, who will help you to grow in the Word, get closer to God. To show how to be useful and to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. There are many difficulties on that narrow road, I do not want to lie to you, the road is hard. The world will laugh at you; religion will call you sectarian; it is highly possible that even your relatives and friends will not understand you. And satan will roam around. From the moment you are baptized, he will hate you doubly because you will become children of God. Only you do not need to be in fear, God does not abandon us, He wants to teach and lead us. It is difficult, but very good to be with the Lord. If you commit, you will find out.
Thus, do you need to be baptized?
I have written a lot here from the Word of God, but decision is up to you. Only you and God know what baptism means to you. You do not have to gbe baptized because of the company, you do not have to be baptized because you feel pressure from the community or some person, it has to be a matter between you and God. For me it is love, for me it is a promise, it is devotion to God completely. The One who loves you so much that He died for you wants you to wash away your sins, to leave your old life (it will be forgotten, that sinful life) and follow Him no matter what the cost. It does not matter because He gives you the new life with Him forever. This is not a ritual to make you righteous and give possibility to boast in front of others. No. This is not an act of calculation - "I will wait a little longer, maybe I will commit more sins, it will all be forgiven at once". And it is not hunting for gifts to become more spiritual "maybe I need to be baptized, to get more gifts of Holy Spirit, I wonder what God will give me?" These are all wrong attitudes. Baptism is an act of faith and love. An action that demonstrates your commitment to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if you not only believe, but also feel a burning in your heart for Jesus Christ - for Him, who, you are not afraid to name it, is your beloved, then you really have nothing to wait for, give yourself to Him fully. Of course, not only feelings, but your faith is important. If you are simply determined to follow Him, because you understand not only with your mind, but also with your heart that this is the only real truth, and after all, believing with all your heart is the main necessary condition – choose to be baptized. Reject Satan with every doubt that maybe the water will be wet and maybe someone will watch and what people will say. Give yourself to Him as those three thousand did on the day of Pentecost, because you have the promise of God, and our God, the only living and true God, does not lie and does not deny Himself. I speak and write to those for whom the word written in the Bible is the Word of God, alive even today, the truth of the Bible is the only truth, not relative, not one of the truth, not valid 2000 years ago, not sometimes suitable, sometimes not suitable, but for those whom God The word is yes and amen. For those who hear the voice of the Almighty, the only Living God in their hearts. Stop doubting and decide if you really want to follow Jesus Christ, your redeemer, and give your lives to Him. If you make up your mind, if you sincerely decide in your hearts, everything will be different, because you will become true Christians. I'm am not promising you an easy life, I am not promising you abundant blessings on this earth, I am not promising you a human success story, because God's Word does not promise that. I prophesy to you a difficult and extremely interesting journey, with strength and with suffering, with persecutions and difficulties, with joy and disappointments. A journey that will end at the wedding feast of the Lamb, next to the One your heart longs most of all. "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" exhorted the apostle Peter, and I say the same to you.
Yes and amen.
2012-06-15
