Baptism is one among the Christian sacraments. The truth of sacraments is mysterious. It is a sign of dying, being buried and rising with Christ. Through Baptism we become the children of God and become part of Christ's Church. Through Baptism a process of being born in the Spirit from above should take place. That is why it is said that evil ways, impurity and the acts of the flesh should be put to death and the old self with its practices should be taken off and we are reminded to put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Baptism is the translation of the Greek word Baptiso. Amongst the Jews purification or cleaning remained as a ritual. Not just priests but clothes, articles and the like were consecrated (Exodus 19: 10-14; Leviticus 8:6; Mark 7:3,4; Hebrews 9:10). In all these places the root word Baptiso is used. To declare the coming of Christ and to prepare a way for Him, the baptism that John, who preached repentance, gave was Jewish. People who repented and decided to lead a righteous life got baptized by John. But Jesus got baptized not for forgiveness of sins but to reveal that He is a complete man. That is why Christ said, "let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness" (Mat. 3:15). What is seen here is the righteousness according to rituals. Christ received baptism as a sign of publically entering into His mission as Messiah.
1. The Society that was Born Again (Genesis 8:1-14)
The people who escaped through the ark became a new nation. Being born from above is like this. The 'few people' who were saved through the ark during the floods in Noah's time is symbolized as baptism by Peter (1 Peter 3:19-21). The ‘few people’ means the eight people who were saved through water. It is a precursor of baptism is what he says. Baptism is not the normal bath that removes the dirt of the body. Through Christ's resurrection we are saved as a request to God for a good conscience. Likewise the crossing of Red sea by Israelites and joining with Moses is thought of as baptism through the sea by St. Paul (Exodus 14:15-31, 1 Cor. 10: 1,2). The flood was to consecrate the earth. The journey through Red Sea gave Israelites a permanent freedom from Pharaoh. Likewise baptism is a sign of a joining of an individual in a new relationship and also to the Church which is the body of Christ.
2. Baptism through Spirit from Above (John 3:1-8)
The conversation that Nicodemus had with Jesus was about the Spirit because Christ baptizes with the Spirit. That is why John the Baptist introduces Jesus as the one who baptizes through the Spirit (Luke 3:16, Acts 1:5, 11:16). The answer that Christ gives Nicodemus is important 'you should be born again- through water and Spirit'. Baptism is a sign of being born again through the Spirit. When a person becomes part of a Church through baptism it is believed that the person becomes born again through God's Spirit. If birth from a mother's womb symbolizes baptism through water then birth through the Spirit signifies birth in Christ. Jesus encouraged Nicodemus to be born again in the Spirit.
3.Speciality of being born from Above (Colossians 3:1-11)
When you are born from above, a transformation occurs in your circumstances. This is what Paul meant by being born from above. Baptism is a revelation that an individual’s old self is put to death and he accepts a new self and becomes a new creation. Baptism points out that we are part of Christ’s death, we are buried with Christ, we are resurrected with Christ, we are united with Christ and we are clothed in Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27). The experience of being born from above through the Spirit is important. We should think not of earthly aspects but things from above. Therefore those who are born in Christ must get rid of evil and live by clothing the new man. Because through Baptism the following things happen in an individual:
- United with Christ (Galatians 3:27)
- United to Church- United to the community of Christ (Acts 2:41, 1 Cor. 12:12,13)
- Become part of Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12)
- Receives the gift that is the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
- Requests God for a good conscience (1 Peter 3: 21; Titus 3:6,7)