History of Baptism for Religious Ceremony

LAFAYETTE, La. - Oct. 22, 2013 - PRLog -- Understanding the History of Baptism Throughout the Ages

One of the first details that should be accepted it that a baptism does not 'save' and isn't a requirement for salvation. But, you ask, just how do we know? Most Christians believe that salvation is only through faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord, master, boss, and savior. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation because of, among many of the reasons, the other two men who were being crucified with Christ. During his crucifixion, one accepted Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus said to that man, 'Today you will join with me in paradise.' Customize your inspiring Baptism ceremony invitations http://www.invitationsbyu.com/baptism-invitations.htm at InvitationsByU.com.

This is the first recording of a deathbed conversion and, since a baptism wasn't required, then we know from this experience, among many others. Now, saying baptism isn't required isn't the same as saying it's not meaningful. For people who can be baptized, they should. A believer who can be baptized but refuses obviously has an obedience issue and should evaluate whether he is truly a believer. So why is a baptism so important? This question and more will be written about in what follows.

The Meaning of Baptism and How it is to be Performed

The word 'baptism' is derived from the Greek word 'baptismos' meaning to dip or immerse, and the early days of the church understood baptism was to be a submersion in water. However, it is believed the apostles taught that if it was not always practical to submerse, then the mere sprinkling of water on the head would suffice. But, there are still many Christians who continue to debate the proper methods for baptisms.

As time as passed, there has been an evolving by most believers that there is really no one best or most proper method, and the main objective and goal is to simply get it done. Dousing or submersion in a lake, river, ocean, swimming pool, or any body of water is as valid as being dunked at a church baptismal or even being sprinkled from an ornate urn. The primary issue is the heartfelt feelings toward God and other people. Ideally, everyone is to love God and other people as you love yourself.

John the Baptist Baptizing Influence

John the Baptist, Jesus' third cousin, was preaching about the impending coming of Christ even before Jesus began his ministry. During those days, the people would come to John and allow him to baptize them in the Jordan River as a sign of their repentance of their sins.

Jesus was also baptized by John, and afterwards the Spirit of God came down from heaven and lighted up like a dove. Since those days, a white dove is frequently used to depict the Holy Spirit, which is one of the many reasons many people believe the Holy Spirit is transferred to those being baptized. And, although this might have happened, there's no firm Biblical evidence supporting it. Acts 3:28 provide that first there must be repentance, followed by baptism before receiving the Holy Spirit, but it's not at all clear if water baptism acts as the trigger. Baptism of the Holy Spirit could very well occur under different circumstances and at a later time.

The Holy Spirit Filled With Apostles

As you are reading about the life of Jesus, you'll want to remember that just because something occurred to him does not mean it is going to happen in all instances to all believers. After all, no believer is Jesus Christ. And, besides, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the Apostles, and there is nothing to indicate they have just been baptized.

After Jesus emerged from the water, the Bible says a voice proclaimed 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' The Bible tells us that John preached baptism as a sign of repentance of sin, but Jesus had no need to repent of sin, so why did God choose to announce his pleasure with Jesus after he'd been baptized?

The book of John (not John the Baptist) provides a little helpful hint. The recordings of John the Baptist revealed that he did not know who would be the Messiah. It is reported that he stated 'the reason baptizing with water was that the Messiah could be revealed to Israel'. He then said it was revealed to him that 'the person with whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the man who will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

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