A SKETCH ON BAPTISM FROM ACTS 2:38

A SKETCH ON BAPTISM FROM ACTS 2:38

Virgil Warren, PhD

Repent         be baptized  into    the name of Jesus Messiah     remission of sins

                                                                                                   the Holy Spirit as a gift

                                                                                                   membership in Christ’s body

                                      Identity with Jesus the Messiah

                                                means commitment to him:

                                                            total (every aspect)

                                                            permanent (all life long)

                                                            exclusive (vs. all other

                                                                parallel possibilities)         

Notations

            The remission is based on identity with the One who is what we are called to be and aspire to be. God is willing to consider us righteous on the basis of identity with the One who is righteous. The remission is not based on the act of baptism per se, but on the One we commit to in doing it. [identity with Messiah]

            We do not cause the remission by being baptized. We only meet the condition God has appointed for his choice to pronounce the remission on the terms he chose. [God’s choice]

            The change from “lost” to “saved” does not occur in us, but in God’s choice based on the Messiah. We simply indicate our willingness for that to happen—our willingness to accept the remission as indicated by our being baptized into him—including all that identity with him entails. [condition, not cause]

            The shorthand expression “baptism for remission of sins” can be misheard by other people who are concerned that what we do does not save us. Characteristically using the shorthand expression may also unconsciously mislead us into misunderstanding the value we should attach to what we do in the matter.

            Baptism in water has an appointed meaning, not an inherent one. It would not have to mean what it does if it were not for God’s appointing that meaning to it. Other meanings could be, and have been, assigned to the act: Baptized to Moses (1 Corinthians 10:1-2)

                                                              Baptized to Paul (1 Corinthians 1:14-15)

                                                              Baptized to repentance (Acts 19:4)

                                                              Proselyte baptism

                                                              Baptism into (identity with) Messiah

KEEP BAPTISM IN ITS INTERPERSONAL CONTEXT

SO IT DOES NOT BECOME A RITUAL, A LEGAL ACT.

      christir.org