Baptism Quotes and Resources
Tony Cooke
I was visiting once with a gentleman who had grown up in Greece, and somehow the topic of baptism came up. He shared with me one of the ways that baptizo was used, even before the time of Christ, had to do with the way pickles were made. The ancient people would start with raw cucumbers, and then “baptize” them in vinegar. It was not simply an act of immersing them in vinegar, but “baptizo” carried the idea of the vinegar completely saturating and actually transforming the cucumber into a pickle. It goes into the vinegar one way, and comes out an entirely different way.
I later read an article on this topic that stated, “Submerging a cucumber in vinegar (baptizing a cucumber) results in a permanent change in the vegetable. It no longer looks the same, tastes the same, or smells the same as a cucumber. In fact, it’s identified by an entirely different name. It’s now a pickle! And pickles are used for entirely different meals than cucumbers.”[1]
It is good to stress here that it is really not baptism in water that saves us, but it is our union with Christ through faith that brings the new birth into our lives. Water baptism is an outward demonstration and a public declaration that we have already partaken of and shared in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. This is why Paul writes that “we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
Similarly, I think you’ll enjoy Rick Renner’s Article on water baptism. Simply do a search for “Rick Renner Dip and Dye.”
Quotes, etc.
“Baptism is like the wedding ring of salvation. I put on my wedding ring at the moment I decided to publicly declare my commitment to my wife. Putting on the ring did not make me married. I am no more married when I wear my ring than when I don’t. But the demonstration of my commitment to my wife that the ring represents was a crucial first step in marriage. Had I refused to do it, my wife would have had reason to question my intentions. In the same way, baptism is an outward symbol of an inward covenant we’ve made in response to Jesus’ offer of salvation.”
J.D. Greer
“Baptism is like a wedding ring: they both symbolize transactions. A wedding ring symbolizes marriage, just as baptism symbolizes salvation. Wearing a wedding ring does not make you married any more than being baptized makes you saved. Baptism is a symbol of salvation and only a symbol. But like a wedding ring, it is such an effective symbol that it should never be taken for granted.”
(Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Edited by Michael P. Green, Baker Book House)
“What connection has this baptism with faith? I think it has just this, baptism is the avowal of faith (note: avowal is an open declaration); the man was Christ’s soldier, but now in baptism he puts on his regimentals (uniform). The man believed in Christ, but his faith remained between God and his own soul. In baptism he says to the baptizer, ‘I believe in Jesus Christ.’ He says to the church, ‘I unite with you in the common truths of Christianity.’ He says to the onlooker, ‘Whatever you may do, as for me, I will serve the Lord.’ It is the avowal of his faith.”
(Spurgeon’s Sermons, Volume 8, Charles H. Spurgeon, Baker Book House)
Someone sent to know whether it was permissible to use warm water in baptism. The Doctor replied, “Tell the blockhead that water, warm or cold, is water.”
(Luther’s Table Talk – related in Dictionary of Illustrations for Pulpit and Platform, by Walter Baxendale, Moody Press)
“The first ordinance of the church is baptism. It was practiced by the church with every believer, as far as we know. As people were baptized, they were symbolically identifying with the church (Acts 2:41) and their Savior (Rom. 6:37; Gal. 2:20). Usually baptism was an evidence to their friends and neighbors that they were serious in their decision to follow Christ. It became known as a ‘badge of discipleship.’”
Elmer Towns
“We may never be martyrs but we can die to self, to sin, to the world, to our plans and ambitions. That is the significance of baptism; we died with Christ and rose to new life.”
Vance Havner
“Indeed, baptism is a vow, a sacred vow of the believer to follow Christ. Just as a wedding celebrates the fusion of two hearts, baptism celebrates the union of sinner with Savior.”
Max Lucado
“Take Jesus for your king, and by baptism swear allegiance to him; take him for your prophet, and hear him; take him for your priest, to make atonement for you.”
Matthew Henry
“Therefore, blessed ones, whom the grace of God awaits, when you ascend from that most sacred bath of your new birth and spread your hands for the first time in the house of your mother, together with your brethren, ask from the Father, ask from the Lord, that His own specialties of grace and distributions of gifts may be supplied to you.”
Tertullian
“Baptism does not save you. It identifies you.”
Lewis Timberlake
“The preacher had said there was nothing magic in the water. Yet as I descended into its depths and rose again, I knew something life-changing had happened. A cleansing inside out. No longer did there seem to be two uncertain contradictory Paul Harveys — just one immensely happy one. I felt a fulfilling surge of the Holy Spirit.”
Paul Harvey
From the Rhema Statement of Faith: “Baptism in water is by immersion, is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36–39). The following recommendation regarding the water baptismal formula is adopted; to wit: ‘On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.’”
From the Assemblies of God, Sixteen Fundamental Truths: “The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.”
From the Foursquare Declaration of Faith: “The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life.”
Jack Hayford also has a good sermon on water baptism. Simply search for “Jack Hayford Three Benefits of Water Baptism.”
[1] https://www.citychurchchicago.com/citychurchblog/2016/11/2/baptizo
