The History of Baptism

Many people in all societies have significant practices that give meaning to their lives whether on a daily or
infrequent basis. For most Christians the first of these practices in their life is their Baptism. Baptism is
generally defined as a ritual purification by water, however, it is more than this simplistic description. For some
Christians this is a formal acceptance into the church. For others, it is a public statement of faith by themselves
or their parents. For all, it is a significant ceremony.

Baptism in the Bible

There are accounts in the Old Testament, part of the Christian sacred text, that
prefigure Baptism. This means that there were events that came before Baptism that
help us to understand this Christian practice. They are:
When Noah and his family were carried through the killing waters of the flood, they
became a sign of the mystery of Baptism. The waters of Baptism change the face
of the world and erase the life of sin and death into which we are born.
When the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea to escape from slavery this event
marks a new beginning for the Jewish community. Baptism too can mark a new
beginning one of freedom and unity.
When the people of Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land of
Canaan, they entered a land that symbolised eternal life with God. We enter Gods
Kingdom when we cross the waters of Baptism.
Christians believe that all of the events and promises of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus. The
full meaning of these events can only be understood in the light of what Jesus said and did. Jesus began his
public ministry by being baptised.
Matthew 3 - John the Baptist Prepares the Way
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.' "
John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was
locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of
the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River.
"I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose
sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in
his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff
with unquenchable fire."
The Baptism of Jesus
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter him, saying,
"I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?"
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness." Then John
consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and
he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Christians believe that, though sinless, Jesus submitted to the baptism which John intended for sinners as a
sign of his willingness to empty himself and to become one with us. The Spirit descended upon Jesus at his
baptism as a sign that the new world has finally come into being. It is also the suffering of Jesus that gives
Baptism its meaning. The water that flowed from Jesus side when he was hung on the cross is a defining
image for the waters of Baptism. The waters of our new life flow from Jesus death. Baptism makes us
partakers of that death so that we may be partakers of the resurrection.
Other Baptism quotes from the New Testament:
Mt 28:16-20: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
John 3:1-5: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling
council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.
For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus
declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his
mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born of water and the Spirit
Acts 2:38-39: Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your
children and for all who are far offfor all whom the Lord our God will call."
Acts 8:14-17: When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent
Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptised into the name of
the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44-48: While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the
message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy
Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising
God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received
the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they
asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
1 Cor 12:12-13: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many,
they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one bodywhether Jews
or Greeks, slave or freeand we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Gal 3:26-29: You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female,
for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.
1 Peter 3:18-22: For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to
the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark
was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes
baptism that now saves you alsonot the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good
conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is
at God's right handwith angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Jewish Baptisms
Baptism rituals existed before the time of Jesus however. There were two forms:
Ritual washing which was intended to purify persons or objects that were unclean according to Mosaic law.
Johns baptising was a variation on this type of ritual.
Proselyte baptism for converts to Judaism. This washing of Gentile converts was often accompanied by
circumcision and readings from the Torah.
Baptism in the Early Church
Following the Pentecost event, the disciples began baptising in the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There were essential steps in
becoming a Christian:
One must hear the Word of God and be converted by it
Profession of faith and desire to live by that faith
Triple immersion in or pouring of water
Living their new life as a member of the Church which prays together
and shares Eucharist.
By the third century a long and involved process had developed for those
wishing to become Christian. This catechumenate process usually took
three years. At the beginning of Lent the catechumens would be
examined. At Easter they were anointed and descended into the waters of
Baptism.