16. Mode of Baptism 1

I have had Presbyterians ask me why we sprinkle instead of immerse people. Actually, Presbyterians have historically accepted all three modes of baptism as being true baptism. I, for example, was immersed when I was baptized. But the reason I wish I had been baptized by sprinkling or pouring and the reason I want that for my children is because of what baptism symbolizes. And our understanding of what it symbolizes has a big impact upon how we baptize. Some have preferred immersion because of Romans 6 and its mention of the death, burial, and resurrection of the believer with Christ.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:3-4)

But if the passage I just quoted is examined carefully, you will see that it is not telling us about what water baptism symbolizes; but rather what Spirit baptism actually does. It is saying that everyone so baptized is saved. So it is not symbolism, it is reality, and unless we are willing to teach that water baptism saves us, we cannot say that this passage is talking about water baptism. There is not a drop of water in Romans 6. And when we look at what Spirit baptism actually does to us, we find that it does more than unite us to Christ’s burial and resurrection. When the Spirit baptizes us into Christ (in other words, when we are saved), we are so united to Christ that everything that has or will happen to Christ is said to happen to us. Scripture says that as many as were baptized into Christ were crucified with Him, are seated with Him in the heavenlies, and will come back to judge the world with Him. Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” It is using the image of clothing ourselves with His strength and might. Crucifixion, reigning and judging, being clothed with strength are not things that are symbolized by any method of baptism. They are simply results of the baptism of the Spirit.

If baptism doesn’t symbolize the results of being united to Christ, what does it symbolize? It symbolizes the baptism of the Spirit itself. Thus, the mode of Baptism that is exactly the same as the mode of Spirit baptism is the one that ought to be used. Turn with me to Acts 1:5. “for John truly baptized with water, but…” That “but” indicates that his water baptism wasn’t the real thing. Instead it was looking forward to what would happen in Spirit baptism. Continuing to read it says, “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Now let’s look at how they were to be baptized by the Holy Spirit in verse 8. The movement is with the Spirit, not with people going down into the Spirit. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Look at 2:3 for the first evidence of the Baptism of the Spirit: “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” Notice the movement of this baptism by fire was to come upon them and rest upon their heads.

And this baptism of the Spirit was prophesied in the Old Testament, and Peter quotes Joel to prove it. And in verse 17 Joel says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh.” Notice that the baptism by the Holy Spirit was by pouring. Look at verse 33: “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” Turn to Acts 10:44 for the baptism of the Spirit of Cornelius and his household. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.” Notice again that consistently the action is not with the person but with the Spirit or with the water.

Look at the last phrase of verse 45: “because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.” Peter’s response in verse 47 is, “Can anyone forbid water…” and the Greek word for “forbid” is koluo which means to keep back, again an indication that water would be brought to them, not them to the water. Just as the movement is in the Spirit, it is also in the water. Continuing to read in verse 47 - “Can anyone forbid water that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Again, water baptism is the symbol, Spirit baptism is the reality.

Look at Acts 11:15:

And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, “John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

It is clear here that if the Spirit came upon them when they were baptized, then the water came upon them when they were baptized. The one must symbolize the other. Water baptism cannot possibly symbolize all the results of being baptized by the Spirit, but it can beautifully symbolize the multitude of Old and New Testament passages which speak of the Spirit being poured out upon us. Ezekiel 36 words it this way, “I will sprinkle clean water upon you . . . and put my Spirit within you.”

What about infant baptism? Over the past three years I have given many proofs for infant baptism. Let me give you one more small one. The Old Testament passages which predict the New Covenant Baptism of the Spirit indicate that God’s promise was to our children as well. Isaiah says about God’s New Covenant people, “They shall not have birthing labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them” (Is. 65:23). “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring” (Is. 44:3). This is why Peter connected the promise of the Spirit and the command for Baptism to not only the parents, but also the children. After the first Baptism of the Spirit he told the adults to repent and to let everyone there be baptized, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.” When we follow the New Testament practice of baptizing all in a household, we are not saying that water baptism saves. It does not. We are claiming by faith the promises of God to pour out His Spirit upon our children in His good time. We are claiming Paul’s promise, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” [Parents] are believers and this morning they are claiming God’s promise for their child as well and praying that Isaiah 44:3 would be true of [child]. Let us pray with them and encourage them in their covenant with the Lord.