Category Archives: Baptism

Baptism in the ending of Mark’s gospel

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waterThe text of the last chapter of Mark is controversial. There is much evidence that suggests that the ending found in the earliest English translations is not the same ending that was in the original Greek manuscript. Just what the ending was and where the additional material came from is not clear.

I think it unlikely that verses 9 through 20 of Mark 16 appeared in the original. I do believe, however, that they are very ancient. I don’t have a problem as accepting them within the body of inspired writings, even if Mark didn’t write them. I would not, however, seek to build an entire doctrine solely on the evidence of these verses.

Here are the verses that speak about baptism:

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15–16)

These verses bear some resemblance to the verses we looked at from the end of Matthew. And Luke has a similar “sending out” passage in the last chapter of his gospel:

“This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46–47)

What do we see in Mark? That belief and baptism are necessary. And a lack of belief condemns. It’s not stated that a lack of baptism will condemn. Much has been made of that, despite most people knowing that the absence of something is hardly grounds for a logical argument. (unless, of course, you’re wanting to disprove a doctrine or practice you don’t like; then it’s okay)

Can you believe and not be baptized and be saved? To make an argument either way based on these verses would not be wise. It’s best to stick to what is said: if you believe and are baptized you will be saved.

So this post invites all sorts of comments: textual criticism, biblical canon, importance of baptism, salvation through belief alone. Let’s hear your thoughts!

The Great Commission

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“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, baptizing 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.”” (Matthew 28:18–20)

That’s how Matthew’s gospel ends. We call it the Great Commission, the great sending out of the apostles with a message for the world.

Some thoughts:

  • The principle command is to make disciples. The two phrases that follow help us understand the meaning of “make disciples.” You do that by baptizing them and teaching them to obey.
  • Jesus wasn’t giving us a baptismal formula to be pronounced over the person being immersed. “In the name of” reflects whose authority lies behind the act. It’s not about something that you say.
  • This command is given directly to the Twelve (or the Eleven, if you want to be picky), but the teaching element of this command extends it to others. When the apostles taught others to obey, they would teach them to make disciples as well.

We mustn’t forget that the gospel writers weren’t just writing history. They were writing teaching books for the church. They chose their material in a Spirit-guided way, using the stories and teachings that would benefit the church. Matthew ended his book with these words to emphasize their importance, the centrality of the mission.

These were the marching orders for the church in the first century. And that hasn’t changed.

Born again

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waterWe started looking at John chapter 3 yesterday. We find there some of Jesus’ earliest teaching on baptism. However, we need to remember that baptism is not the main point of what Jesus says to Nicodemus. The driving thrust must be on the Spirit. Look at what Jesus says in verses 5 through 8:

“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5–8)

We need to remember that baptism wasn’t new. With John’s preparatory work, baptism was at the center of religious thought, at least in Judea.

The talk about the Spirit was new. He wasn’t new, of course, but he hadn’t been given to people in the way that he would be given to Christians. What differentiated Christian baptism from John’s baptism was the Spirit. Look at these passages:

“I baptize 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 baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

“I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)

“John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)

“I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’” (John 1:33)

“For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)

“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” (Acts 19:1–7)

Being born again involves water, but we must never lose sight of the fact that we are being born of the Spirit. That’s the central reality in this new birth.

Born of water and the Spirit

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“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. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”” (John 3:3–8)

Nicodemus came asking a question, even if he may not have known that he had a question. Jesus answered it by talking about being born again. When Nicodemus asked what that meant, Jesus talked about being born of water and the Spirit. I’m convinced he was talking about baptism.

Later in the same chapter, we find the next reference to water. It’s the water of baptism. John often connects teachings with actions in his gospel; the healing of a blind man is connected with teaching about spiritual blindness, for example. Here we have a discussion of entering the kingdom followed by examples of baptisms, both by John and his disciples and by the disciples of Jesus.

The Jews were very familiar with ceremonial washing. It was nothing new to them. Proselytes would be immersed. Worshipers would wash before going to the temple. Priests engaged in ritual washings.

We’ll dig deeper into what this text means, but I think Jesus is saying much what Paul said when he described the new life that beings with baptism. (Romans 6) New life… born again. Similar concepts. Much like what is said in Titus 3 about the “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

The baptism of Jesus: Perspective

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waterI want to conclude this series within a series by trying to put the baptism of Jesus into its proper place. I’m a strong believer in observing what emphasis Scripture itself puts on certain stories and certain ideas (a lesson I learned from Dr. Tom Olbricht) It can be very telling to study what biblical writers emphasized and what they didn’t.

Jesus’ baptism is recorded in three of the gospels and alluded to indirectly in the fourth. That shows that it was a significant moment in Jesus’ ministry. But it’s interesting that we never find the early church saying, “Jesus was baptized, so we should be as well.” (I’m limiting myself to the New Testament canon; if someone wants to bring in evidence from early church writers from later centuries, I’d be interested to hear it)

The baptism of Jesus is important as a watershed moment in Jesus’ ministry. It reminds us of the importance of baptism in the Christian movement (as does John’s ministry in general). But I don’t know that it’s a WWJD moment that should lead people to the water. In and of itself, I don’t think it provides sufficient reason for someone to be baptized in a Christian way.