CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

January 18, 2004 return to main page

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Our congregation                                                        The Stolte’s in Germany

Our college students                                                   David and Leon in the Navy

various friends, relatives and co-workers

DOWN IN THE RIVER TO PRAY

“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13).

The title is that of a new book by John Mark Hicks and Greg Taylor on the subject of baptism (Leafwood Publishers, 2004).  Its subtitle is “revisioning baptism as God’s transforming work.”  This is one of the finest books on baptism produced by members of the churches of Christ, and will probably become a controversial book as well.  This is the second book published in recent months, along with a number of articles, that emphasize transformation and relational living with God.  Divided into four sections with a total of thirteen chapters, it was written from both a theological and missiology prospective. 

Using the metaphor of the river that flows from God, and that baptism is “the sinners prayer,” it addresses baptism historically, theologically, and practically.  They emphasize the importance of connecting Jesus Christ to baptism through faith.  The first section is the “Biblical Stream.”  In these three chapters, the authors look at the subject of baptism from several areas.  The first chapter deals with baptism from the Hebrew scriptures and Jewish culture of the first century.  They look at Paul and Peter’s use of the Old Testament as a type; the crossing of the Red Sea (see 1 Corinthians 10) and Noah’s flood (see 1 Peter 3).  “The Noahic Flood is typological of the saving function of baptism” (p. 33).  They examine the Levitical immersions that were part of the priestly functions and important for ritual purity (p. 38).  They also discuss immersions during the second temple period looking at Jewish purification baptism, Jewish proselyte baptisms and Qumran baptism (p. 41ff).  Their conclusion is that “Christian baptism did not arise out of nothing.  Rather, it is part of the redemptive-historical work of God among his people through Israel…When we go down in the river to pray, we join the whole history of God’s people there” (p. 44).  The next two chapters look at baptism from Luke-Acts and Paul.  One important discussion is that of Jesus’ baptism.  He identifies with us in His baptism, though He had no sin, and in His baptism He received the Holy Spirit, just as we do when we were baptized. 

The second section is the “Historical Streams.”  How did we get to where we are today?  The authors look at baptism from the second century, examining a number of things including the introduction of pouring and infant baptism and the reasons for them.  They examine the Reformation from the ideas of Luther and Calvin as well as the Anabaptist.  There are a number of interesting facts, especially on how baptism changed.  The third chapter in this section examines the Stone-Campbell Movement (the American Restoration Movement or the churches of Christ).  I found this chapter informative because of how baptism was viewed early on and how it changed over the years.  There have been several controversies over the years on this subject.  Rebaptism and the unimmersed are two that are discussed in detail.  As we progressed through the Twentieth Century, an attitude developed.  “Campbell had more of a relational understanding of baptism while the baptismal consensus of the twentieth century held more of a legal understanding of baptism.  Henry Webb has described the difference in terms of covenantal (relational) versus contractual (legal) frameworks” (p. 146).  The emphasis is that “This legal understanding elevates obedience in baptism above moral transformation.  Baptism, then, is more important than transformation” (p. 148).  When we talk about baptism without talking about Jesus Christ, and that we are committing ourselves to live in Him, we are converting people to baptism but not to Christ. 

The third section is the “Theological Streams.”  These three chapters deal with justification, sanctification, and unimmersed believers.  The chapter on sanctification is on the role of the Holy Spirit in baptism.  Our theology has down played the Spirit to emphasize baptism.  But the authors point out that more is said about the Holy Spirit in Acts than baptism.  We have also tried to systemically develop the role of the Holy Spirit so as to make it sound the same.  These authors look at this differently.  In some cases the Holy Spirit is given at baptism.  In one case He was received sometime after baptism (Acts 8) and in another before baptism (Acts 10).  It appears that Apollos was not rebaptized because He had Jesus right but needed some help on baptism (see Acts 18:24ff).  The twelve in Acts 19 however needed to be rebaptized because they were baptized in John’s baptism and had not received the Spirit who they did not know about.  The last chapter in this section discusses an approach to those who have seen baptism differently from us.  It is a challenge to how we view others.

The final section is the “Practical Streams.”  Baptism should be a uniting factor, for there are no male and female, slave and free, poor and rich, for we are all one in Christ (see Galatians 3:26-29).  The second chapter looks at how some have celebrated baptism and made it important to those being baptized.  Some congregations have made it very special and the authors emphasize that it should be seen as such.  We need to encourage people that leaving on time is not important, especially when someone is being baptized.

The final chapter sums up what they have discussed, answer questions they have been asked, and offers some practical applications and attitudes that we should have toward others.

This is an important book.  And it will be controversial.  It challenges us to look again at baptism because of its relational aspect with God.  That in and of itself is important and something that I think we have missed or ignored over the years.  They have shown that some of their controversial conclusions have been held throughout Restoration history.  For those coming from a traditional and legal mindset, they will question the relational aspects, the “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” attitude emphasized in several places, and the role of the Holy Spirit in baptism and the life of the Christian.  They will see the importance of the plan.  For those coming from a more open mindset, this book will be seen as a corrective.  The emphasis on relational aspects and God’s merciful desire for fellowship will be seen as the proper emphasis needed on the subject of baptism.  The authors continually emphasized that they hold to a high view of baptism and their conclusion is that baptism is important in its relational aspects. 

This book along with Unveiling Glory (reviewed 12/28/03), should be read because of the emphasis on transformational living in humility and relational directions.  This is a theme that is being developed by a number of other authors, and I think is an important theme that we need to heed.

                                                                                                George B. Mearns