The Pepperdine Lectures this year are focusing on two important topics: the Lord’s Supper and baptism. I’ve written on both of those topics on this blog, but want to revisit the topic of baptism (I’ve got 48 posts tagged “Lord’s Supper,” by the way, so I’m not exactly neglecting that topic)
I’ll be starting next week, so I’m looking for some input to help me choose the directions I’ll take:
- What aspects of baptism do you think have traditionally been neglected?
- What aspects of baptism do you think have traditionally been misunderstood?
- What questions about baptism need to be addressed?
- In what ways are views toward baptism changing (within churches of Christ and among believers in general)?
- What suggestions do you have for this study?
Thanks for your input!
“What aspects of baptism do you think have traditionally been neglected?” I believe we have failed to stress the Matthew 28:19 instruction to “make disciples” before baptism. We wonder why after baptism so many do not remain faithful to Jesus. I believe it is because they weren’t a disciple of Jesus before baptism.
Tim – I wonder if CofC has overemphasized (and distorted) the need for immersion for remission of sins has resulted in a belief that baptism is “active” (something I do) rather than passive (a place where God transfers the results of Jesus complete work on the cross to me). In the first case it becomes important that I understand and do everything perfectly. In the second case we can trust in God’s power and grace to do what is needed as long as I’ve. surrendered to him in faith. (I would say surrendered to him through baptism because of my faith) While this is clear in my mind it seems difficult to get across to those who have arrived at the first view after 4 or five generations of “inbred” teaching
My Master’s Thesis, The Use of Baptism in Exhorting Christians, focuses on how the epistles use baptism as they write to those who have already been baptized. I found three different threads of exhortation: unity as a result of our union with Christ, purity because of our status as a new creation, and assurance through our new relationship to the Spirit of God.
This, I believe, is an area much neglected and little understood. Yet, even a cursory examination of the treatment of baptism in the epistles shows that we neglect baptism as a basis for exhortation at our peril.
Yet, this assumes a grace-centered focus evangelistic teaching and proclamation of salvation in Christ through faith in the efficacy of His death and resurrection. A legalistic view of baptism as the saving act, divorced from the gospel, leaves little room for baptism in exhorting Christians to unity or purity (these only give more “commands” to be obeyed), and it certainly gives little assurance through the Holy Spirit.
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