Baptism -- Meaning and Practice

As we have been reflecting here on the practice of baptism, I'd like to add a few more pieces from the 1982 Faith and Order produced Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry document.

In this document, which seeks to provide a consensus point for Christian traditions on these unfortunately contentious issues, the writers of the document note five specific meanings inherent in baptism:

• Participation in Christ's Death and Resurrection
• Conversion, Pardoning, and Cleansing
• The Gift of the Spirit
• Incorporation into the Body of Christ (and not just into a denominational tradition)
• The Sign of the Kingdom

The document then deals with the relationship of "Baptism and Faith." Note what is said:

Baptism is both God's gift and our human response to that gift. It looks towards a growth into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). The necessity of faith for the reception of the salvation embodied and set fort in baptism is acknowledged by all churches. Personal commitment is necessary for responsible membership in the body of Christ. (BEM, p. 10 -- italics are mine)

Then there is the question of baptism of believers and infants.

While the possibility that infant baptism was also practiced in the apostolic age cannot be excluded, baptism upon personal profession of faith is the most clearly attested pattern in the New Testament documents. (BEM, p. 11)

The document continues with a discussion of the various types of practice and the realization that in one form or another, at some point, personal ownership of one's faith profession is required -- no matter when the water is given. That being said, it is recognized here in this document that the explicit NT witness is to what is known as Believer Baptism.

More on this later.