(2) 受浸 / Baptism

John J L Han

耶稣关于从水和圣灵里洗礼的教导

我们先思考一下耶稣在约翰福音第三章1-13节中的教导：1有一个法利赛人、名叫尼哥底母、是犹太人的官。2这人夜里来见耶稣、说、拉比、我们知道你是由　神那里来作师傅的．因为你所行的神迹、若没有　神同在、无人能行。3耶稣回答说、我实实在在的告诉你、人若不重生、就不能见　神的国。4尼哥底母说、人已经老了、如何能重生呢．岂能再进母腹生出来么。5耶稣说、我实实在在的告诉你、人若不是从水和圣灵生的、就不能进　神的国。6从肉身生的、就是肉身．从灵生的、就是灵。7我说、你们必须重生、你不要以为希奇。8风随着意思吹、你听见风的响声、却不晓得从那里来、往那里去．凡从圣灵生的、也是如此。9尼哥底母问他说、怎能有这事呢。10耶稣回答说、你是以色列人的先生、还不明白这事么。11我实实在在的告诉你、我们所说的、是我们知道的、我们所见证的、是我们见过的．你们却不领受我们的见证。12我对你们说地上的事、你们尚且不信、若说天上的事、如何能信呢。13除了从天降下仍旧在天的人子、没有人升过天。

在这段里，耶稣表现了祂的大智慧，上文第5节是我们关注的重点：耶稣说、我实实在在的告诉你、人若不是从水和圣灵生的、就不能进　神的国。我们以前说到目前神的国指的是教会。

尼哥底母是犹太人统治委员会的成员，因此他也深谙旧约（犹太圣经）。他选择在夜晚来见耶稣，也许是想免得白天来，会被其他犹太人看到。犹太领袖没办法确认耶稣到底是谁，所以被看见和耶稣在一起，就会被看成赞同耶稣传的道。上面英文第二节的SIGN在圣经中一般认为是“神迹”的意思。尼哥底母问耶稣到底是谁。耶稣没有正面回答尼哥底母的问题，但强调了他的任务：神的国。这里，“重生”这个词很重要，一个在这世上出生的人，不论他/她是否在基督教家庭出生，也不论他/她是多么好品性的人，只有在重生后，才能看到神的国。重生这个词描述起来可能有些困难，有些人可能一说就明白，但有些人很难理解。让我们再看两段圣经经文：

罗马书10:9 你若口里认耶稣为主、心里信　神叫他从死里复活、就必得救．

林前12:3 所以我告诉你们、被　神的灵感动的、没有说耶稣是可咒诅的．若不是被圣灵感动的、也没有能说耶稣是主的。

所以，皈依就是从“我是自己的主人”，“金钱是我的主人”，变成“耶稣是我的主人”。关于圣灵，一般认为是说方言，施展神迹，等等。是的，这些事情圣灵都可能做，但承认耶稣是主，这也是圣灵的做工。再回头看看约翰3:5，我们现在应该可以明白从水里和圣灵里洗礼的意思了。

洗礼的意义

我们了解了洗礼的意思，现在再看看洗礼的意义。罗马书6:3岂不知我们这受洗归入基督耶稣的人、是受洗归入他的死么。罗马书6:4所以我们借着洗礼归入死、和他一同埋葬．原是叫我们一举一动有新生的样式、像基督借着父的荣耀、从死里复活一样。彼得一书3:21这水所表明的洗礼、现在借着耶稣基督复活．也拯救你们．这洗礼本不在乎除掉肉体的污秽、只求在　神面前有无亏的良心。因此，洗礼意味着过去罪恶的你已经死去，现在你已是新人，同时，洗礼也意味着告诉世界，你现在已活在基督里了。罗马书6:4后半段告诉我们是“从死里复活”，林后5:17若有人在基督里、他就是新造的人．旧事已过、都变成新的了。所以现在，你有了两个生命，一个是属血气的，另一个是属灵的。将来我们要详细讨论属灵生命如何成长。

一般情况下，可能有两个洗礼上的问题。一个是根本没有完成信仰转变，没有承认“耶稣是主”的洗礼，这里也许还包括一些牧师。一个美籍华人前牧师，指出了其前教会的大量问题【1,2】。但从他的短文里，可以清楚看到他从来都不是基督徒。他在没有认识到“耶稣是主”的情况下洗礼了，他从来没有认识过真理。他用奖学金的引诱他的第一个信徒洗礼，但从没有与这个信徒讨论过信耶稣和顺服耶稣的真正意义。他引用使徒行传8:36 。。。“看哪、这里有水、我受洗有甚么妨碍呢”。但是这里他断章取义。在洗礼前，腓利和这个太监已经就旧约进行过广泛探讨，而且腓利已经对他传讲过耶稣。一个人只有在顺服基督后，其洗礼才有意义。

另一种问题是，一些人经常参加教会团契，读圣经，做善事，但认为受洗不过是一种形式，并无必要。但洗礼是非常重要的，应该再读约翰3:5, 而且马太3:13-15如是说：13当下、耶稣从加利利来到约但河、见了约翰、要受他的洗。14约翰想要拦住他、说、我当受你的洗、你反倒上我这里来么。15耶稣回答说、你暂且许我．因为我们理当这样尽诸般的义．〔或作礼〕于是约翰许了他。甚至耶稣都受洗，这是一个洗礼的榜样。洗礼同时是向世界宣告，我如今在基督里了，从世界的罪里得胜了。见马太5:14-15。14你们是世上的光．城造在山上、是不能隐藏的。15人点灯、不放在斗底下、是放在灯台上、就照亮一家的人。如果你认耶稣为主，就应该受洗和做正确的事。

洗礼的不同方式

不同的教派有不同的洗礼方式。我的看法是，只要这个人真正地愿意顺服基督，不同洗礼方式都可以接受。

不同的灵命成长道路

在重生后，人就有了新的生命。林后5:17若有人在基督里、他就是新造的人．旧事已过、都变成新的了。就像你的肉体生命需要营养一样，你的属灵生命也一样需要营养，这在今后的文章里会讨论到，如读经，祈祷，崇拜等等。现在，让我们分享一个耶稣教导的比喻：（马太13:3-8,18-23）3他用比喻对他们讲许多道理、说、有一个撒种的出去撒种．4撒的时候、有落在路旁的、飞鸟来吃尽了。5有落在土浅石头地上的．土既不深、发苗最快．6日头出来一晒、因为没有根、就枯干了。7有落在荆棘里的．荆棘长起来、把他挤住了。8又有落在好土里的、就结实、有一百倍的、有六十倍的、有三十倍的。18所以你们当听这撒种的比喻。19凡听见天国道理不明白的、那恶者就来、把所撒在他心里的、夺了去．这就是撒在路旁的了。20撒在石头地上的、就是人听了道、当下欢喜领受．21只因心里没有根、不过是暂时的．及至为道遭了患难、或是受了逼迫、立刻就跌倒了。22撒在荆棘里的、就是人听了道、后来有世上的思虑、钱财的迷惑、把道挤住了、不能结实。23撒在好地上的、就是人听道明白了、后来结实、有一百倍的、有六十倍的、有三十倍的。我们应当警惕引诱和试探，提供好土地让灵命健康成长。

问题：

1）什么是圣灵？ 圣灵是做什么的？

2）重生的意义是什么？ 给出一些例子。

3） 浸礼的属灵意义是什么？耶稣说”……人若不是从水和圣灵生的、就不能进　神的国”。解释耶稣这话的意思。

4）耶稣没有罪但是他却要受浸。这告诉我们什么？

5）不同的基督教教派的浸礼仪式可能不同。我们应该如何看这点？我们是不是应该承认在不同教会里受过不同浸礼仪式的信徒？

6）一个受过浸的信徒仍然可能走不同的属灵道路。你打算走那条？

注释：

【1】 兴无灭资：也谈基督教（上）谁更代表基督教－－自由派还是保守派？http://my.cnd.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=29463

【2】 灭无兴资：宗教杂谈（1）——我为何自称原教旨主义者 http://my.cnd.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=36041

Jesus’ Teaching on Baptism of Water and the Spirit

Let us consider Jesus’ teaching in John 3:1-12. 3 :1 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 (or rather a coexisting twin): 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.

Questions:

1) What is holy spirit? What does it do?

2) What does the phrase born-again mean? Give some examples.

3) What is the spiritual meaning of baptism? Jesus said that “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” Explain what Jesus meant.

4) Jesus has no sin yet he wanted baptism. What does this tell us?

5) Different denominations have different rituals for baptism. How should we view this? Should we recognise believers from churches of different forms of baptism?

6) A baptised believer still may choose different spiritual journey. Which one do you want to take?