Primer on Baptism

A discussion of this article.

"First, we should take the Bible’s statements about baptism as statements about baptism ...I submit that we should believe what God has to say on the subject of baptism. That’s the starting point. When the Bible speaks about baptism, it is speaking about the rite of baptism; and what it says is true . "

Can we all say: Amen!

Leithart's liturgical background may influence the overstatement of his view on the rite of baptism a bit, since there could be doubt if John the Baptist was saying that Jesus would perform the rite of baptism or was indeed to have the rite performed a second time:

Mt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:

Mt 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Mt 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Baptism, preaching the cross by symbol

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1Pe 3:16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

1Pe 3:17 For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

1Pe 3:18 ¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1Pe 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

1Pe 3:21 ¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Much ink has been spilled in theological tomes over these and the verses that follow. Such debate is evidence that additional information is required to solve the issues presented.

The ante-type is like the type, and it is like all the types.

Peter referenced the flood, but he could have just as easily referenced the parting of the Red Sea, the parting of the Jordan River, Moses hidden in the cleft of the rock, Jesus between two thieves, Peter between two guards, etc. The physical events are all symbols of the same spiritual reality.

Let's take another example and then come back to baptism. The virgin birth of Christ is the physical ante-type of all the prophecies concerning the incarnation, but the birth of his children spiritually (i.e. not physically, hence they are all virgin born as well) is the spiritual ante-type; it is the spiritual reality.

Physical baptism is simply a symbol like the other related types. It saves in the same way that all the types saved, as a promise of salvation through the resurrection of Jesus. The animal sacrifices did not save, they were an appeal for salvation dependent upon the resurrection of Christ to be effective.

A symbol must match the intent of the heart

The physical baptism is an appeal to God for a clean conscience predicated upon being resurrected with Christ. To some he will say, depart from me, I never knew you.

Like those who went through the flood, only those who got on the ark were saved, not everyone who went through the Red Sea was. For some, the waters of baptism drown the Egyptian and only their rotting corpses float to the surface.

The prophets acted out dinner theater as prophecy for Israel. Israel and the patriarchs acted out dinner theater as prophecy for the world. When Jesus saw dinner theater in play, he willingly participated in it and was rewarded with various miracles to encourage him toward the cross. We are invited to participate in the dinner theater of Baptism but it's effectiveness is predicated upon being resurrected with Christ which is dependent not upon forgiven sin, but upon marriage to Christ.

Peter said that the figure saves 'us'. He did not say that it saved all who were baptized. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing... and baptism (which is the preaching of the cross through symbol) is foolishness to those who are perishing, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Communion

Paul has the same teaching for those participating in the preaching of the cross through communion:

1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

The preaching of the cross through the symbolism of communion is foolishness to those who are perishing.