Introduction

Baptism is a significant practice in many Christian denominations, although its form and meaning can vary widely. Some Christian groups, like the Salvation Army and Quakers, do not practice water baptism at all, while others see it as a crucial sacrament or ordinance. This article explores the diverse practices and theological implications of baptism, with a focus on the Anabaptist tradition.

Forms of Baptism Within Christian Denominations

Christian denominations practice baptism in various ways:

  • Modes of Baptism: Some denominations baptize by full immersion, while others use sprinkling or pouring water.
  • Subjects of Baptism: Practices vary from infant baptism to the baptism of young people or adults who can consent.
  • Context of Baptism: Baptisms may take place in natural bodies of water, swimming pools, or specially built baptisteries within the church.
  • Performers of Baptism: In some traditions, any believer can baptize, while in others, only ordained ministers or church leaders may perform baptisms.

Summary of our church Principles and Practices

Mode of Baptism
We only perform water baptism by full immersion as practiced by Jesus and His disciples.

Subjects of Baptism
We only practice water baptism on individuals who have personally repented and confessed faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore, they must be of an age of understanding. This is often referred to as Believers’ Baptism.

Context of Baptism
Baptisms will usually take place within God’s creation when possible, in natural bodies of water like rivers or oceans, etc.

Performers of Baptism
We believe in the priesthood of all believers. Therefore, we believe that anyone who is a believer who has gone through the waters of baptism themselves can be chosen by the individual to baptize them.

The Anabaptist Perspective

Anabaptists, often called “re-baptizers” by their opponents, hold distinctive views on baptism and, as you can imagine, hold a very high view of baptisms:

  • Believer’s Baptism: Anabaptists reject infant baptism, insisting on baptizing individuals who must be old enough to understand repentance and personally profess their faith, making it a symbol of discipleship and commitment.
  • Historical Context: This practice led to persecution in the 16th century as it threatened the social unity that infant baptism represented. They were persecuted by both the Catholic and Protestant churches at the time for holding this view.

The Meaning of Baptism

For Anabaptists, baptism is a profound and multifaceted act of faith. It is understood primarily as:

A Public Declaration of Faith: Baptism is a powerful and public declaration of an individual’s personal faith and commitment to follow Jesus Christ. This aspect of baptism holds several key implications:

  • Visible Testimony: Baptism serves as a visible testimony to others that the individual has made a personal decision to follow Jesus. It is a way for believers to publicly affirm their faith and commitment to Christ within a communal setting, allowing the church to witness and celebrate the new believer’s decision, reinforcing the collective identity and shared faith of the community.
  • Courageous Act: In many contexts, especially historically within the Anabaptist tradition, baptism was an act of courage. Declaring faith in Christ publicly often came with significant risks, including persecution and social ostracization. Early Anabaptists faced severe consequences for their belief in believer’s baptism, including imprisonment, torture, and even execution. This historical context underscores the profound commitment and bravery associated with making a public declaration of faith. In the contemporary Anabaptist church, this visible testimony is done not only in a communal setting with the church but also publicly as a witness to the world. As Jesus instructed, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32, ESV).
  • Symbol of Transformation: Baptism symbolizes the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. It represents the inward change that has already occurred—the believer’s repentance from sin and new birth in Christ. This outward act of being immersed in water and rising again mirrors the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, as stated in Romans 6:4: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Though the public declaration of faith is the primary purpose of baptism, it’s not the only one. Other aspects of baptism also include:

  • A Pledge of Discipleship: For Anabaptists, baptism is not just a profession of faith but also includes the idea of a pledge to discipleship and the lordship of Christ. It signifies a willingness to follow Jesus and live out His teachings, often at great personal cost. It is a commitment to live out Jesus’ teachings, often requiring courage and willingness to face hardship (Matthew 16:24-25).
  • Invitation to Accountability: By publicly declaring their faith, individuals invite the community to hold them accountable in their walk with Christ. This declaration is not made in isolation but within the supportive framework of the church community. The church is thus given a role in nurturing, encouraging, and sometimes correcting the individual, fostering a sense of mutual responsibility and care. As it is written in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near,” and also rooted in passages like Matthew 18:15-20, emphasizing community support and accountability.
  • A Sign of Belonging: It signifies entrance into the community of believers, marking the individual as a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).
  • Active Participation: Baptism in the Anabaptist tradition also signifies a commitment to active participation in the church. This includes being led by the Spirit to engage in the community and contribute to the life and mission of Jesus Christ’s church (Inspired by passages like 1 Corinthians 14, early Anabaptists emphasized the involvement of all members in church activities).

Conclusion

In Contemporary Anabaptist churches, the practice of water baptisms retains its radical implications, emphasizing discipleship, mutual accountability, and active participation in the church. While the context may differ from the 16th century, the core principles of Anabaptist baptism lies not in the the great reformation of the 16th century, but the original churches as found in the New Testament scriptures, which continue to challenge and inspire believers to live out their faith authentically and courageously.

Supporting Bible Passages

  • Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
  • Matthew 18:15-20 (ESV): “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
  • 1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV): “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

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