Understanding God, Myself, and the WorldSample

Baptism into Christ

Baptism tends to be a controversial topic in church circles, because different church denominations have different views on baptism. Some hold to infant baptism while others see the importance of first believing in Jesus before being baptised. These two views can cause, and have caused, a lot of division within the Church. Even though we affirm the latter position, our focus here goes deeper than merely arguing for or against a particular position. We are aiming to get to the heart and meaning of baptism itself.

Baptism points to being part of a certain community. Now, there are various social groups to which a person belongs that inform his or her behavior and appearance. The individual has to find his or her relative position in society based on the social group(s) he or she associates with. And there is no escaping this fact, despite the clamour of radical individualism. This means that our social groups or communities play a big role in defining our identity as individuals. Baptism is an outward symbol or ritual by which we position ourselves in society on the basis of a new personal identity and inner reality: We are now followers of Christ. With baptism we declare that we are disciples of Jesus. We belong to a larger social group, called the universal Church. That is also why baptism occurs in the presence of other believers. When we get baptised, we testify to the world, and to our brothers and sisters in Christ, that we identify as a member of God’s family (which is the Church). This becomes our primary identity within society: We are part of God’s global family. 

There is also a deep theological aspect to the symbolism of baptism. When we get baptised, we express something that has happened in our inner-being. From Romans 6:1-11, we can see that baptism symbolises us dying with Christ to our old life of sin, and rising with Christ into new life as a child of God. Christ is substituted for us for our sins to be condemned, and we are substituted for Christ where God sees His righteousness in us. There is a deep and mystical element to this. We become one in Christ when we believe in Him. He takes our sins and we take His righteousness. We share in the life and death of Jesus. And this is the inner reality that baptism outwardly depicts.

Do you follow Jesus but haven’t yet been baptised? Make it a priority to speak to a pastor or elder in church who can guide you with your questions and help you in the process.