by Phillip E. Stuckey
Synopsis: Where should baptism take place? In the New Testament, baptism occurred where there was enough water in which a person could be immersed.
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. 28:1, ESV).
When we consider Jesus's words in the Great Commission, there should be no question that baptism is required of any who would be a disciple of Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus's words further emphasize the need for believers to be baptized. He said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16, ESV). As Peter preached on Pentecost, those in the audience who were moved to repentance asked, "What must we do?" They were told, "Repent and be baptized every one 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 2:38, ESV). Despite these and many other passages, baptism continues to be a controversial subject that attracts numerous questions and objections. Our task in this article is to investigate where baptism is to take place.
While another article in this edition deals explicitly with the mode of baptism, we will assume in this article that baptism involves immersing an object or person in something based on the meaning of the original word and its description as a burial by the apostle Paul (Rom. 6:1-4; Col. 2:12). Our focus is on a simple, but sometimes misunderstood, question: Where is this burial to take place?
In the opening chapter of Mark's gospel, we read about the work of John the Baptist or John the Immerser (Mark 1:4-8; Matt. 3:1-11; Luke 3:3-16; John 1:19-34). His baptism was not the baptism into Christ, but one that anticipated it—a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Where did people come to be baptized by John? The text says they went to the river Jordan. John's own words indicate that he immersed these people in water (Mark 1:8).
In the next few verses, we read about Jesus's baptism. When John baptized Jesus, it was in the waters of the Jordan river (Mark 1:9-10; cf. Matt. 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-23). A careful reading of these passages reveals that there was enough water for Jesus to go down into and to come up out of the water.
In John's gospel, we read about Jesus's ministry as overlapping that of John the Baptist. While Jesus and his disciples were baptizing people in the Judean countryside, John was baptizing at Aenon near Salim (John 3:22-23). The name Aenon is based on the Aramaic word for "spring" or "place of the springs" (Borchert, 189). Why did John labor in this location? The text says, "because water was plentiful there." Why would John need a lot of water if baptism were sprinkling or pouring? John's need for a lot of water reinforces the argument that baptism is an immersion in water.
From our survey of the Gospels, where did baptism take place? Baptism occurred where there was enough water to immerse a person.
In Luke's record of the beginning and the growth of the early church, are numerous accounts of people believing the gospel and being baptized are recorded. While many of these do not identify where the baptisms occurred (Acts 2:38-41; 8:5-13; 9:1-18; 16:33-34; 19:1-5), notice that several examples do mention water and contextual statements illustrate that these people were immersed.
When Philip was riding in the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch, he preached the good news about Jesus (Acts 8:26-39). As they traveled along the deserted road, the text says they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36, ESV). The inspired account states that Philip and the eunuch went down into the water. After the eunuch was baptized, they both came up out of the water.
When Peter preached the gospel to the household of Cornelius, he said, "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" (Acts 10:47, ESV). He then commanded these people to be immersed in water, though we are not told whether they went to a pool, spring, stream, or river.
Lydia heard the gospel by a "riverside" and was baptized (Acts 16:12-25). Paul was told to arise and be baptized in order to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16). From our survey of baptism in the book of Acts, where did baptism take place? Baptism occurred wherever there was enough water to immerse a person.
Where should baptism take place today? Where should the water be located? Should it be flowing water like a river or stream, or can it be a pool or baptistry? Does the water have to be large enough to accommodate both the baptizer and the one being baptized? Is a one-person baptistry sufficient? Does the baptizer have to be a faithful disciple of Christ?
No doubt, many of these questions arise from good hearts that are simply seeking to make sure they follow the New Testament pattern. Nevertheless, some of these questions have led brethren to doubt their status before God. As we examine what the Scripture says, we must distinguish between essentials and incidentals. In comparing all the conversion accounts, it becomes apparent that some of the details in these narrative accounts were not meant to be a binding pattern.
When we consider all the accounts, what can we discern about where baptism should take place? The New Testament pattern is clear that baptism must take place in water. Peter wrote,
Because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:20-21 ESV).
How much water is needed for baptism? The pattern is that enough water to immerse is required. The meaning of the original words, the description of people's baptisms, and the apostles' likening baptism to a burial all point to this truth.
What kind of water should be used for baptism? The places mentioned in the text range from rivers and springs to pools. Many make no mention whatsoever of where these baptisms took place. Since God has not specified a certain water, this can be accomplished in the ocean, rivers, swimming pools, bathtubs, baptistries, ditches, horse troughs, or even a fifty-five-gallon barrel. Wherever there's enough water to immerse someone, that person can be baptized into Christ.
Who should do the baptizing? Jesus indeed charged His disciples to make and baptize more disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). While this is generally the case, was God saying in these examples that we must know the spiritual state of the one who is baptizing us? While there are accounts where we are shown that believers were baptized by those who taught them (Acts 8:38), many times, we aren't told who did the baptizing (Acts 2:41). Doesn't Paul's words to the brethren in Corinth show that who baptizes someone isn't important (1 Cor. 1:14-17)? It isn't the spiritual state of the baptizer that is essential, but the heart of the one who is seeking to be baptized (Acts 8:36-37).
Baptism is an essential step in one's journey of faith. When one is baptized into Christ, God promises that He will forgive his sins (Acts 2:38). Let us hold fast to God's pattern and baptize penitent believers into Christ by immersing them in water.
Borchert, G. L. John 1-11 Vol. 25A. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996.
Author Bio: Phillip has worked with the Robison Street Church of Christ in Edna, TX since 2014. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children. The church website is ednachurchofchrist.org. He can be reached at phillip@truthpublications.com.
Image: Brother Geronimo Ganela reads from Bible with those seeking salvation
