2. Baptism

John J L Han

Jesus’ Teaching on Baptism of Water and the Spirit 

Let us consider Jesus’ teaching in John 3:1-12.  3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. In this passage, Jesus showed great knowledge and wit.  

John 3:5 is our focus: Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. As mentioned before, the kingdom of God at the present implies the Church.  Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council, thus he knew the Old Testament (the Jewish Bible) well.  He came to see Jesus at night perhaps to avoid being seen with Jesus at day time.  The Jewish leaders could not decide who Jesus was. Thus, seeing with Jesus might construe agreeing with Jesus’ preaching.  The word sign in verse 2 usually means miracles in the Bible.  Nicodemus asked Jesus who he was.  Instead of replying the question directly, Jesus focused on his mission: the kingdom of God. The word born-again is important.  A person born naturally, whether or not one is born to a Christian family and no matter how good one is, cannot see kingdom of God unless he/she is born-again.  The word born-again can be difficult to tell.  Some may experience clear sign of conversion while some might not.  To see the meaning of born-again, let us consider two verses from the Bible: Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,you will be saved. I Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. So conversion is a journey from “I am my own lord”, “money is my lord”, or whatever to “Jesus is Lord”.  Mentioning the Holy Spirit, many think of speaking in tongues, performing miracles, and so on.  Yes, Holy Spirit can do these things but acknowledging Jesus is Lord is inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Recall John 3:5.  We now see the meaning of baptism of water and the Spirit.  

The Significance of Baptism 

We have seen the meaning of baptism.  Now let us consider significance of baptism.  Romans 6:3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Therefore, baptism signals the death of your sinful past.  Now you are a new man.  Baptism also declares to the world that you are now in Christ.  The end of Romans 6:4 tells us that we begin a new life now, just as in II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! So now you have two lives: one physical and one spiritual.  How to take care of the spiritual life will be addressed extensively in the future.  

There may be two common problems with baptism.  There are some who are baptised without conversion, without confession of “Jesus is Lord”.  These may even include some pastors.  One former Chinese pastor wrote extensively on wrongs of his previous church.  But his essays clearly showed that he never was a Christian.  He was baptised but without acknowledging “Jesus is Lord”.  He also did not understand the truth.  He enticed his first convert with scholarship but never discussed the meaning and commitment to Jesus.  He quoted Acts 8:36 ….. “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” He took this verse out of context.  Philip and the eunuch discussed the Old Testament extensively and Philip told him about Jesus before the baptism.  Only after a person commits to Christ, one’s baptism has meaning.  

The other type of problem is that some may attend church regularly, read the Bible, and do good things, but thinking baptism is just formality and unnecessary.  Baptism is important.  You should read John 3:5 again.  Also Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.  Even Jesus was baptised so that he may set an example.  Baptism is also a testimony to the world that I am in Christ, a victory to the sinful word.  Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. You should do the right thing and be baptised if you confess Jesus is Lord.  

Different Forms of Baptism 

Different denominations have different forms of baptism.  My viewpoint is that different forms of baptism are acceptable as long as the person truly commits to Christ.  

Different Spiritual Paths 

After one is born again, he/she has a new life.  II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! 

Just like your physical life needs nourishment, your spiritual life also needs care.  We will address this in future sessions: Bible reading, pray, worship, etc.  At the moment, we will share a parable Jesus taught.  

Matthew 13:3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

We should be aware of traps and try to be the good soil.