Water and The Spirit; What had Christians always understood about Baptism?

“Without baptism, salvation is attainable by none.”– Tertullian, De Baptismo, 12

Is Baptism really that important? I was shocked to find recently that there are Christians who don't fully understand the Sacrament of Baptism. And yes, Baptism is a Sacrament. Whether they understand it or not, Protestants Christians have Sacraments too. So, what is a Sacrament? I'll brake it down. Originally the word sacrament came from the Latin word sacramentum, which meant a sacred oath or pledge of allegiance. Often used in a military context in the Roman Empire. Christians adopted the term to describe visible signs of invisible Grace that bind us to Christ. Before the term became formalized, anything that helped draw the soul to God like prayer, fasting, Scripture, etc., might loosely be described as “sacramental” in the early centuries. St. Augustine's Early Definition from the 4th–5th century : “A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible grace.” (St. Augustine, Tractates on the Gospel of John) This is the definition the Church has carried forward. 

By the early Middle Ages, the Western Church began formally identifying specific rites as Sacraments. The Council of Florence (1439) and later the Council of Trent (1547) confirmed there are seven sacraments instituted by Christ:

Baptism John 3:5, (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3–4)

Confirmation (Chrismation in the East) (Acts 8:17, Acts 19:5–6, Hebrews 6:2)

Eucharist (Luke 22:19–20, John 6:51–56, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23–29)

Penance (Confession) (2 Corinthians 2:10 (D-R) John 20:22–23 James 5:16, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Anointing of the Sick (James 5:14–15)

Holy Orders (1 Timothy 4:14, Acts 6:6, Acts 13:2–3, 2 Timothy 1:6)

Matrimony (Matthew 19:5–6, Ephesians 5:25–32, 1 Corinthians 7:10–14)

I included where the Sacraments can be found in the Bible to show that they have been in practice from the beginning. 

 I think most of the modern protestant churches only have two Sacraments; Baptism and marriage. But is Baptism only symbolic? Absolutely not. It’s powerful. It’s life-changing. It’s biblical. It’s essential. It actually does something. Let's breakdown what exactly it does:

We enter into the Body of Christ through Baptism: 

Baptism replaced circumcision, the way people entered into the Old Covenant:

"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism..." (Colossians 2:11–12)

And other places in the Bible confirm this:

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13)

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that, as Christ was raised from the dead... we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

It Washes Away Sin:

“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)

“Repent and be baptized every one of you... for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

Including Original Sin:

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5)

“Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

Here is where we see St. Paul explaining what we now call Original Sin. Sin entered into the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience. Not that it was our fault, we have Original Sin on us at birth. But Baptisms wash it away and we can be clean entering to the Body of Christ. But of course we are human and we will sin. And Baptism washes away our sin.

This is also for children:

  Peter says:

"Repent and be baptized... For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off..." (Acts 2:38–39)

and they Baptized entire households:

Acts 16:15 (Lydia's) Acts 16:33 (Philippian jailer) and 1 Corinthians 1:16 (Stephanas)

Households include children. They need the removal of Original Sin and they also need to enter into the Covenant with Christ. As already mentioned, Baptism replaced circumcision and circumcision took place eight days after birth. (Gen 17:12, Lev 12:3, Luke 2:21)

 Jesus Commanded it as part of the Great Commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Here we also see the proper form of Baptism. Trinitarian Baptism makes it valid. On a side note, if you consider entering into the Western Apostolic Church you don't need to receive another Baptism. "We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins." As we profess in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed from AD 381. As we see, the early Church Baptized babies, and some of the early Revolters did as well. The first person not to was John Smyth around 1609. He invented Believers Baptism. This has a lot to do with why many modern Christians don't understand how important it is for their children to receive their Baptisms. I like how Fr. Chris Alar put it, he said it would be like not giving kids Social Security numbers and waiting until they're adults to see with they want to become Americans. 

 

I hope this makes it clear that Baptism is far from anything just symbolic. It's extremely efficacious. Jesus didn’t teat Baptism lightly. Jesus didn’t tell His disciples, “Go make believers and teach them to love Me.” He said, “Go and make disciples… Baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19). Baptism was part of the core mission from day one. Even in Mark 16:16, Jesus pairs belief and baptism with salvation. It’s not just something we do to “show” we believe it’s part of responding to God’s Grace. Baptism Saves (According to Peter, not me) Peter explains that it’s not the water itself, but the appeal to God that takes place through the act of Baptism. Nor is it the person dunking you into the water. Much like the Sacrament of Confession. Is it the Presbyter who forgives our sins? No, God forgives our sins. God dispenses the Grace through people and through physical objects, in this case water, a natural element. It's also how we're Spiritually Born Again. It's confusing when you have these "Born Again Christians" who seem to downplay Baptism, when the Bible clearly shows that it's anything but. I love how the great evangelist and convert Steve Ray says he says he's "Born Again the Bible way". in John 3:5, Jesus explains how: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) I actually heard someone online recently try to say that He's not talking about Baptism and that Christ was referring to natural birth. When the distinction is made when in verse 4 Nicodemus asked to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?" And also, who referrers to natural child birth as "being born of water?" Currently or in history? The Bible was never meant to just be read by ourselves, that we can always have guidance from The Church (Acts 8:30–31), but something like this is just basic reading comprehension. And even the early Church understood this, which shows that it has been the understanding of all Christians up until Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531), Leader of the Swiss Revolt. Zwingli was the first to start denying the importance. He are a few examples of what the early Christians believed about Baptism:

 

St. Justin Martyr (AD 155)

 “As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true... are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated... For Christ also said, ‘Unless you are born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’” (First Apology, 61)

St. Irenaeus of Lyon (AD 180)

“He [Jesus] came to save all through means of Himself—all, I say, who through Him are born again to God—infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men.” (Against Heresies, 2.22.4) 

Tertullian (AD 198–220)

“Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life!”– On Baptism, 1

“Without baptism, salvation is impossible.” (On Baptism, 12) 

Origen (c. 244 AD)

“The Church received from the Apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants... because according to the usage of the Church, baptism is given for the remission of sins.” (Homilies on Leviticus, 8:3:11)

 

St. Cyprian of Carthage (c. 253 AD)

“If even the worst sinners, once they believe, can obtain forgiveness of sins... how much more should an infant be baptized, who has no sins, except that of being born according to the flesh of Adam?” (Letter to Fidus, 64:5)

 St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 350 AD)

“Great indeed is the Baptism which is offered you. It is a ransom to captives, the remission of offenses, the death of sin, the regeneration of the soul, the garment of light, the holy seal indelible.” (Catechetical Lecture 3:10)

St. Augustine (c. 400 AD)

“Baptism… washes away what the baptized person received from the first Adam. Without it, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Sermon 51:8)

The only times when it may not be required is for example, the thief on the Cross how our Lord said, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42–43) It's not like they were going to stop a crucifixion to Baptize the guy. So, as we all should repent of our sins on our deathbed and why we have the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, as long as we repent of our mortal sins before passing we will be Saved, God willing. Also, what about unborn babies? They also don't have the chance of Receiving Baptism, so I'm sure the same applies. Christianity is not based on my personal opinion. But when God teachings aren't mentioned in the Bible, we all know that God desires all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) and "for to such belongs the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:15–16) and God loves everyone (Romans 8:38–39) Also, the Catechism of the Western Church says:

"As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God... the Church encourages us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism." (CCC 1261)

Its my hope that this Blog as for all of my posts to clear up some of the modern day confusion. Baptism Regenerates the soul (John 3:5, Titus 3:5) Washes away both personal and original sin (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16) Unites us to Christ (Romans 6:3–5) and is necessary for salvation (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16) This wasn’t debated, it was apostolic teaching, passed down from the Apostles and practiced across the early Church. The early Christians all understood this to mean Baptism. As does The Church currently. It’s not optional, it’s the starting point of the Christian life.