What is baptism?
Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We recently started an exciting series about the compelling research findings from Teleios!
Teleios completed a survey about baptism. We had 189 participants, of whom: 61% were <18 years; 74% evangelicals; and 50% from the southeast or Midwest USA. In total 86% believed that they were saved by grace alone and 40% believed they could not lose their salvation. See the full report here - Current views about baptism.
We asked them if they had been baptized and the method. We also inquired as to what baptism signified. Although we have never seen data, in speaking with young people they often appear confused over the significance of baptism and what scripture says about it. When asked how they were baptized, here are the top 4 answers and some associated meanings:
Immersed as an adult (32%) - Strong differences in the rite of baptism exist across denominations. Immersion baptism, which perhaps most closely represents the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, is preferred strongly by Baptists. They believe generally the rite should be performed after salvation when the convert is old enough to make a responsible decision. Many Christians believe it symbolizes primarily a commitment to God by the new believer which was true also in or survey (20%).
Sprinkled as a child (23%) - This form of baptism is preferred by several traditional denominations and is generally believed to convey either:
Forgiveness of the sin nature, and prior sins, allowing for a fresh start and working towards salvation, combined with grace (Catholic viewpoints)
Salvation in infants too young to make a decision for Christ. This protection lasts to the time of the age of responsibility (Presbyterian viewpoints).
Commitment by parents to raise a child in a Godly manner leaving the responsibility to the child to be saved and baptized as an adult (various individual churches).
Never been baptized (19%) - Although this group might be seen as disobedient by Christians, the epistles, which contain the injunctions to the church, do not command water baptism. Water baptism is seen as an example at least once (Acts 8), and maybe more early in the book of Acts (speculative). In Scripture, it was performed in almost exclusively among early Jewish Christians early in the church. Of course, salvation itself is by grace alone with no added works required (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit at salvation (15%) - This choice is closest to the meaning of baptism in the Epistles. The apostle Paul explained that spiritual baptism ‘identified’ us (βαπτιζω, baptizoo) in the death and life of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Baptism represents the regeneration by the spirit to a new person who can serve our Lord. This regeneration appears to occur at salvation accompanied by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6: 2-9; Colossians 2:11-13; Ephesians 2:4-7). Indeed, 68% of the participants in our survey believed baptism represented the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Titus 3:5).
The rite of baptism is a very controversial topic and often elicits strong emotions from people who believe one way or another. We have tried to comment in a scripturally based and transcultural manner. Christians are free to water baptize out of faith in the method that they wish to demonstrate their commitment to our blessed Savior.
Join us again next week as we continue to look at the fascinating results of Teleios research and what they tell us about the truth of scripture and our Christian culture.
William C. Stewart, MD
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Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.
