At our church we're encouraged to read the bible for ourselves to ensure what's being taught is in fact the word of God. As easy as it is to just listen to the man at the pulpit, we have to ensure what we're absorbing is not contrary to the truth.
If you ask someone why they're christening their child, they'll mostly answer with "it's what my parents did with me and my grandparents did with my patents." In the ceremony you also find the babies being given a "Christian name" and allocated "Godparents". As followers of Jesus Christ our actions should not contradict the word of God. We must also be mindful that we don't mix cultural tradition with biblical traditions.
Where christenings originated from, I couldn't tell you, but as bible following Christians we should cross check all that we're doing. I mean, which has more accuracy, mans teaching or biblical text? Lets' break down some scriptures!
Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38
“Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptised, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:41
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.
Acts 8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?
Acts 9:18
At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptised. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Acts 16:14
One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.
Acts 16:33
At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
Acts 18:8
Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
In all these verses we see the bible referring to adults. These texts prove baptism is done after believing. We all know a baby isn't capable to believe or make this decision. Furthermore, there is not any mention in the bible of a child being baptised.
Lastly, the most iconic baptism of all time, Jesus Christ. He himself was baptised as an adult, not as a child. Even though this is something he did not need to do, would we not follow the footsteps of our living example?
Matthew 3:13
The Baptism of Jesus
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.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.
So what is baptism?
Baptism is a quintessential part of our walk with Jesus. It should be the next step taken following accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and saviour. What is the purpose of being baptised? As we've read, baptism is a choice hence it isn't for babies. If you're old enough to make this decision, you're probably old enough to sin. The word baptism means to submerge. And so baptism is deciding you want to be done with your old life, old ways and want to embark on a new way of life with Jesus Christ. Kind of like out with the old in with the new. This act is a mark of that. Imagine it like you enter a freshly made bath and come out all squeaky clean leaving all the murky water behind. The water symbolises new life (hence we immerse ourself and not just sprinkle a bit on our heads), the dirt is all of our sins which is want what we want to get rid of and leave behind.
Here's what the bible says about baptism;
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Romans 6:3
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12
Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
1 Peter 3:21
Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:26
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
As we can see in these scriptures baptism is a command and it brings glory to God. Though we can't die and resurrect just like Jesus Christ did, we can let our old self die in the water and resurrect as a new being, a new creation. Baptism is a rebirth!
(Oh, and that's why some Christian's refer to themselves as born again!)
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