Baptism - the Gift of Regeneration

On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter was asked by a large crowd what must they do to be saved. His response was: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). Baptism, not circumcision, was the sign by which Christian converts were received into the Church. Baptism gives the Christian convert a rebirth - a new start in life. Jesus told Nicodemus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). Following repentance, baptism is the next important step towards salvation and being received into the Church.

The Apostle Paul explains that baptism is a an act of burying the old, sinful person: “Therefore 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) By being dead to sin, we live a new, righteous life. We are no longer slaves to sin, but receive empowerment from on high to conquer sinful habits and the lusts of the flesh. Through baptism, we become holy instruments of God. Baptism is not a symbol, it is a powerful, spiritual reality. Christ told His disciples: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) Clearly, baptism is a major event in the salvific process, and is a necessary response to belief in Christ.

The Apostle Paul writes the following to Titus regarding our salvation in Christ: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) The blessed baptism washing regenerates us - all past sins are washed away, and we become a new creature, being renewed through the Holy Spirit, and thereby putting on the mind of Christ.

The Holy Orthodox Church officiates the sacrament of baptism by triple water immersion, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Infants, as well adults, are recipients of this grace from our Lord. The Evangelist Luke records that entire households were baptized in the early years of the Church (Acts 16:15). The Apostle Paul baptized the the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:16). It was common then, as it is today, to baptize entire households that come to Christ. Under the Old Covenant, male babies were circumcised on the 8th day of birth; under the New Covenant, this physical rite is replaced by Holy Baptism - and remains available to babes - but now, both male and female. When His disciples rebuked the people for bringing their little children to Jesus, He immediately called them to Him and commanded them: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16) Many of the Church’s early martyrs were children, and many today who are suffering persecution in certain regions of the world include children. God is not willing that any should perish, and He is just as concerned for babies as He is for adults. It is the Christian parent’s solemn responsibility to train up a child in Christian instruction, so that when he or she grows up, they will continue on the path of salvation. (Proverbs 22:6)