C.H.R.I.S.T. Baptism

During the next seven posts we will be exploring Christian Baptism, under the acronym C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism.  This first day we will introduce the idea of C.H.R.I.S.T. baptism and in the posts to follow will explore each letter in the acronym.

Cleansing Baptism

Humanity Baptism

Repentance Baptism

Israel Baptism

Spirit Baptism

Total Baptism

Baptism has been an important part of the Christian family before the Christian family existed, and yet baptism is not an easy concept to understand.  First of all, baptism is not an everyday word.  This often leads to a confusion of meaning, or a plethora of meanings.  Second, baptism is not explained in detail in the Bible, so theologians and parents and children are left to sort out the evidence.  Third, different denominations of Churches feel strongly about different ways of baptizing.  Some baptize infants while others baptize adults only.  Some baptize by immersion while others baptize by sprinkling.  Some baptize in Jesus’ name while others baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Some say baptism of the Holy Spirit comes with tongues and others say it doesn’t.  Baptism is often a jumbled idea in a child’s mind.  What is baptism?

First of all, baptism comes from a Greek word, as many English words come from Greek words.  When I was learning Greek I learned that it meant dipping or immersing, and often had the idea of washing behind it.  So if I were to translate Baptism into an English word that we use in everyday language I would translate it into “washing.”  No doubt, many would disagree with me because there are many opinions, especially in regards to baptism.  But I will use the idea of washing to describe baptism nonetheless.