Lewis Use Of Baptism Essay
Baptism: The Foundation of the Christian Faith
There are three things that spread the Christ-life to us; baptism, belief, and the Lord’s Supper (Lewis 61). This statement, by C.S. Lewis, is his example of three ordinary methods in which one can “find new life after we have died and in it become perfect” (Lewis 60). It was the belief of Lewis that because Jesus sacrificed himself, yet he was perfect, humans can be saved from death. Two of Lewis’s three methods, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are sacraments in Christianity. The act of baptizing is known as the Sacrament of Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is also known as Holy Communion and Eucharist. There are several different sacraments which are practiced within the many denominations of Christianity. …show more content…
The Sacrament of Baptism, however, is the only sacrament which is practiced in both Catholic and Protestant churches. The tradition of baptizing differs within each denomination but the significance of its meaning does not. Even the separation of the remaining sacraments among the Church, excluding Baptism, is evidence enough to its importance. Jesus says to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (English Standard Version, John 3.5). It is apparent, in Lewis’s belief as well as The Church, that The Sacrament of Baptism plays a key role in Christian virtues. Therefore, though the traditions and views on baptism may differ, it remains the foundation of Christian life.
Throughout The Bible, especially the New Testament, water is used for baptism. This act is described in Acts 8.35-39, when Phillip baptizes the eunuch in the water they approached while traveling. Maura Campbell details the use of water in the section of her book Dialogue & Alliance: Symbol and Reality: water, Life, Death and Christian Baptism:
The Fathers of the Church emphasized the importance of Christ’s baptism at the Jordan for the origins of Christian baptism. From the time Christ descended into the waters of the Jordan, they maintained, water became amenable to God’s special use of it later as an initiation rite into his Church. From this time forward, water would be a chief symbol of man’s sanctification. In submitting to the humiliating ritual of a public profession of penitence, Christ was identifying himself with the cause of sinners. In entering the waters of the Jordan, Jesus relives both the ancient exodus across the Red Sea and also the crossing of the Jordan under Joshua. (58)
The word baptize is from the Greek verb baptidzo, which means “to immerse” (Copeland 1). “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water” (Matt. 3.16). There are numerous scriptures within The Bible that reference water as the forum in which baptism takes place. Just as baptism is a symbol, so is the water. Water Baptism is described by Kenneth Copeland as symbolizing “the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and our identification with Him in them (1). Is this sense, the symbol for baptism is the entrance into water, representing the burial of Christ, followed by the coming out of water, representing Christ’s resurrection. The desire to be Christ-like is a desire of any Christian. Death and resurrection are not an option; therefore, The Sacrament of Baptism is a necessity for Christians to be like Christ.
Baptism is carried out in many different forms, times of the year, and life of a Christian. Many arguments have emerged over time on the baptism of infants versus adults. Infants being “rejected from the church’s’ age-old tradition” as Nico den Bok states as being, “too harsh,” is one of these arguments (Bok 136). Bok goes further into the issue of adult versus infant baptism and explains that it is “irrelevant.” Nothing is sacred, not in creation and especially not in the church, other than Jesus Christ (Bok 136). The subject of when during a Christians’ life Baptism should occur is still in debate amongst denominations. Even throughout the New Testament different approaches and methods of baptism are used.
The New Testament reveals different theologies of baptism. Although there is no contradiction between these theologies, it would be wrong to think that each New Testament community (and author) has the same view of baptism. This anachronistic approach stems from a contemporary theology of baptism which, understandably, uses the theological strands of the New Testament in order to develop a rich theology of baptism. (Quinn 3).
Again, though the views may differ, the act of baptizing is still the foundation. Baptism is a necessity to Christians simply because Christ commanded it. There is no word, phrase, or thought that can argue this statement as told by Jesus, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28.19). Jesus also said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16.16). Since these words are spoken by Jesus, then Lewis’s three methods of “baptism, belief, and the Lord’s Supper,” are in direct agreement with the way Jesus wants his children to live. The Lord’s Supper, as referenced by Lewis, can also correlate with Baptism, as Jesus says during the Last Supper, “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22.19). Christ gives his children instructions, one of which is The Sacrament of Baptism; therefore, Christ too laid out his foundation for Christian Life. The whole of Christian life and spirituality, including celebration of the Eucharist, is the unfolding of baptism (Quinn 1).
To become Christ like, one must involve their life in the Word of God and live according to His example.
Baptism is one example of how God wants his children to live by his example. It is apparent, as written by Frank C. Quinn, that we must “fully incorporate into the body of Christ through water and Spirit (Quinn 2). If further evidence is required to represent the importance of baptism, the entire New Testament can be used as a tool for research. Not more than three chapters into Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan. “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him” (Matt. 3.13). One does not need to search hard to find any of the examples Jesus lays out for his foundation. The New Testament itself is a representation of the foundation Christ lays. Thus it is plain that in the New Testament the grace of the Spirit is fundamentally linked with the identity of Jesus Christ (Dragas 150). Questions arise in this matter as they do in any matter. Dragas addresses this issue saying, “but why is He Christ?” (150). He answers this question with scripture: “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (John
1.33).
In conclusion, it is apparent that though the traditions and views on baptism may differ, it remains the foundation of Christian life. The New Testament tells the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. Simply stating “the birth, life, and death,” does not give justice to the actual testimony Jesus gives his children. The Testimony of Christ lays down a foundation for his children to be Christ like. One way to achieve this is through the Sacrament of Baptism. He has given us the instructions. He has given us the Holy Spirit. As Peter says, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness or your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2.38). Jesus gives his children exactly what they need so that they may walk alongside him for all eternity. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3.17).
Works Cited
ESV Study Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2010. Print.
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity: A Revised and Amplified Edition, with a New Introduction, of the Three Books, Broadcast Talks, Christian Behaviour, and Beyond Personality. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Print.
"Understanding Water Baptism." Kenneth Copeland Ministries. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2013.
Campbell, Maura. “Symbol and Reality: Water, Life, Death and Christian Baptism.” Dialogue & Alliance. Vol. 4, No 1. 1990. Print.
Bok, Nico Den. "Barth on Baptism: Concerning a Crucial Dimension of Ecclesiology." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Rpt. in Zeitschrift Fur Dialektische Theologie. Vol. 5. N.p.: Princeton, 1999.
Quinn, Frank C. “The Sacraments of Initiation and Christian Life.” Spirituality Today. Vol. 34, pp. 27-38. 1982.
"Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? Explore More Content." Stand to Reason. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2013.
Dragas, George Dion. “The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit: The Sacrament of Chrismation.” Greek Orthodox Theological Review. Vol. 56:1-4. pp. 143-158. 2011.
There are three things that spread the Christ-life to us; baptism, belief, and the Lord’s Supper (Lewis 61). This statement, by C.S. Lewis, is his example of three ordinary methods in which one can “find new life after we have died and in it become perfect” (Lewis 60). It was the belief of Lewis that because Jesus sacrificed himself, yet he was perfect, humans can be saved from death. Two of Lewis’s three methods, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are sacraments in Christianity. The act of baptizing is known as the Sacrament of Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is also known as Holy Communion and Eucharist. There are several different sacraments which are practiced within the many denominations of Christianity. …show more content…
The Sacrament of Baptism, however, is the only sacrament which is practiced in both Catholic and Protestant churches. The tradition of baptizing differs within each denomination but the significance of its meaning does not. Even the separation of the remaining sacraments among the Church, excluding Baptism, is evidence enough to its importance. Jesus says to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (English Standard Version, John 3.5). It is apparent, in Lewis’s belief as well as The Church, that The Sacrament of Baptism plays a key role in Christian virtues. Therefore, though the traditions and views on baptism may differ, it remains the foundation of Christian life.
Throughout The Bible, especially the New Testament, water is used for baptism. This act is described in Acts 8.35-39, when Phillip baptizes the eunuch in the water they approached while traveling. Maura Campbell details the use of water in the section of her book Dialogue & Alliance: Symbol and Reality: water, Life, Death and Christian Baptism:
The Fathers of the Church emphasized the importance of Christ’s baptism at the Jordan for the origins of Christian baptism. From the time Christ descended into the waters of the Jordan, they maintained, water became amenable to God’s special use of it later as an initiation rite into his Church. From this time forward, water would be a chief symbol of man’s sanctification. In submitting to the humiliating ritual of a public profession of penitence, Christ was identifying himself with the cause of sinners. In entering the waters of the Jordan, Jesus relives both the ancient exodus across the Red Sea and also the crossing of the Jordan under Joshua. (58)
The word baptize is from the Greek verb baptidzo, which means “to immerse” (Copeland 1). “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water” (Matt. 3.16). There are numerous scriptures within The Bible that reference water as the forum in which baptism takes place. Just as baptism is a symbol, so is the water. Water Baptism is described by Kenneth Copeland as symbolizing “the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and our identification with Him in them (1). Is this sense, the symbol for baptism is the entrance into water, representing the burial of Christ, followed by the coming out of water, representing Christ’s resurrection. The desire to be Christ-like is a desire of any Christian. Death and resurrection are not an option; therefore, The Sacrament of Baptism is a necessity for Christians to be like Christ.
Baptism is carried out in many different forms, times of the year, and life of a Christian. Many arguments have emerged over time on the baptism of infants versus adults. Infants being “rejected from the church’s’ age-old tradition” as Nico den Bok states as being, “too harsh,” is one of these arguments (Bok 136). Bok goes further into the issue of adult versus infant baptism and explains that it is “irrelevant.” Nothing is sacred, not in creation and especially not in the church, other than Jesus Christ (Bok 136). The subject of when during a Christians’ life Baptism should occur is still in debate amongst denominations. Even throughout the New Testament different approaches and methods of baptism are used.
The New Testament reveals different theologies of baptism. Although there is no contradiction between these theologies, it would be wrong to think that each New Testament community (and author) has the same view of baptism. This anachronistic approach stems from a contemporary theology of baptism which, understandably, uses the theological strands of the New Testament in order to develop a rich theology of baptism. (Quinn 3).
Again, though the views may differ, the act of baptizing is still the foundation. Baptism is a necessity to Christians simply because Christ commanded it. There is no word, phrase, or thought that can argue this statement as told by Jesus, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28.19). Jesus also said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16.16). Since these words are spoken by Jesus, then Lewis’s three methods of “baptism, belief, and the Lord’s Supper,” are in direct agreement with the way Jesus wants his children to live. The Lord’s Supper, as referenced by Lewis, can also correlate with Baptism, as Jesus says during the Last Supper, “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22.19). Christ gives his children instructions, one of which is The Sacrament of Baptism; therefore, Christ too laid out his foundation for Christian Life. The whole of Christian life and spirituality, including celebration of the Eucharist, is the unfolding of baptism (Quinn 1).
To become Christ like, one must involve their life in the Word of God and live according to His example.
Baptism is one example of how God wants his children to live by his example. It is apparent, as written by Frank C. Quinn, that we must “fully incorporate into the body of Christ through water and Spirit (Quinn 2). If further evidence is required to represent the importance of baptism, the entire New Testament can be used as a tool for research. Not more than three chapters into Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan. “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him” (Matt. 3.13). One does not need to search hard to find any of the examples Jesus lays out for his foundation. The New Testament itself is a representation of the foundation Christ lays. Thus it is plain that in the New Testament the grace of the Spirit is fundamentally linked with the identity of Jesus Christ (Dragas 150). Questions arise in this matter as they do in any matter. Dragas addresses this issue saying, “but why is He Christ?” (150). He answers this question with scripture: “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (John
1.33).
In conclusion, it is apparent that though the traditions and views on baptism may differ, it remains the foundation of Christian life. The New Testament tells the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. Simply stating “the birth, life, and death,” does not give justice to the actual testimony Jesus gives his children. The Testimony of Christ lays down a foundation for his children to be Christ like. One way to achieve this is through the Sacrament of Baptism. He has given us the instructions. He has given us the Holy Spirit. As Peter says, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness or your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2.38). Jesus gives his children exactly what they need so that they may walk alongside him for all eternity. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3.17).
Works Cited
ESV Study Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2010. Print.
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity: A Revised and Amplified Edition, with a New Introduction, of the Three Books, Broadcast Talks, Christian Behaviour, and Beyond Personality. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Print.
"Understanding Water Baptism." Kenneth Copeland Ministries. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2013.
Campbell, Maura. “Symbol and Reality: Water, Life, Death and Christian Baptism.” Dialogue & Alliance. Vol. 4, No 1. 1990. Print.
Bok, Nico Den. "Barth on Baptism: Concerning a Crucial Dimension of Ecclesiology." N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Rpt. in Zeitschrift Fur Dialektische Theologie. Vol. 5. N.p.: Princeton, 1999.
Quinn, Frank C. “The Sacraments of Initiation and Christian Life.” Spirituality Today. Vol. 34, pp. 27-38. 1982.
"Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? Explore More Content." Stand to Reason. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2013.
Dragas, George Dion. “The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit: The Sacrament of Chrismation.” Greek Orthodox Theological Review. Vol. 56:1-4. pp. 143-158. 2011.